Impact of Oatmeal Consumption: A Pilot Study to Evaluate Cardiovascular Disease Indicators in Overweight and Obese Men

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the top ten causes of death worldwide. Natural products with potential therapeutic effects, such as Avena sativa L. (commonly known as oats), effectively treat cardiovascular diseases in an affordable (cost-effective) manner. The present pilot study aimed to determine the effect of oatmeal beverage consumption on the serum lipid profile of overweight or obese young men over 6 weeks. In a randomized study, 26 participants were given an oatmeal beverage (55 g) for 6 weeks. The variables measured were weight, body mass index (BMI), and serum lipid profile at baseline and the end of the study. The results of the statistical analysis (T-test) showed that the experimental group had a significant reduction in serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and VLDL (p= 0.020, p= 0.006, and p= 0.007, respectively), as well as a reduction in key ratios such as total cholesterol or triglycerides to HDL. In conclusion, the consumption of oatmeal beverages for 6 weeks was shown to have a cardioprotective effect in overweight, obese men.