One of the nutritious and delicious drinks that are completely plant-derived is oatmeal milk. This product has a valuable chemical composition and healing properties, and you can easily cook it at home using whole grains of oats or Hercules flakes. More information about the benefits and harms of oat milk, as well as about the main features of its use in traditional medicine and cosmetology, is further in the article.
What is oat milk?
In appearance, this liquid is very similar to cow or goat's milk, but has a completely plant origin. The product is made from crushed oat grains, and cinnamon and honey are used to improve its taste. At home, such milk is often prepared from oatmeal, and then use the product for various purposes.
Composition, calorie content and BJU
Due to its plant origin, oat milk does not contain lactose and cholesterol. But its composition includes a lot of fiber useful for the human body, as well as gluten, which can cause allergies in a certain group of people.
Did you know? The leader in growing oats is Russia. It accounts for about 20% of the world production of this grain crop.
In addition, the following components are included in the drink:
- vitamins - B1, B2, B9, B12, B6, C, E, H, PP;
- minerals - potassium, calcium, zinc, magnesium, sodium, iron, phosphorus, sulfur, iodine, manganese, copper, etc .;
- essential amino acids - cysteine, lysine, threonine, alanine;
- fatty acids - Omega-6 and Omega-9;
- polyunsaturated acids - oleic, linoleic;
- glutamic acid;
- starch.
The product contains a minimum of calories. Nutrition value of 100 g of oat milk:
- calorie content - 43 kcal;
- proteins - 0.3 g;
- fats - 1.3 g;
- carbohydrates - 7 g.
Important! Due to the valuable chemical composition, oat milk is recommended to be included in the diet for those people who completely abandoned dairy foods of animal origin.
Beneficial features
Oat milk is abundant in many essential substances and vitamins. It is useful to use for men, women and even children, because the product has a positive effect on the body.
- The tool brings great benefits to human health, namely:
- prevents the accumulation of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels;
- stimulates the digestive system;
- helps to get rid of constipation, bloating;
- prevents the development of gastritis, ulcers;
- strengthens the bones of the skeleton, tooth enamel;
- improves the appearance of hair and nails;
- helps to cure colds and coughs;
- beneficial effect on the functioning of the genitourinary system;
- stimulates the metabolism;
- contributes to weight loss, causing a prolonged feeling of fullness;
- normalizes the work of the gallbladder;
- moisturizes the skin well, relieving irritation;
- helps to improve memory by stimulating the brain;
- helps to cope with depression, improves mood.
For women
Due to its vitamin composition, oat milk has a beneficial effect on the female body, which is why it is widely used in cosmetology and nutrition.
- The main beneficial properties of the product for women:
- helps to fight excess weight;
- rejuvenates and cleanses the skin;
- normalizes hormonal levels;
- effectively reduces blood sugar;
- Helps fight depression and insomnia
- improves metabolism;
- gently cleanses the intestines.
For men
Men are also encouraged to include oat milk in their daily menu. Such a drink helps prevent the development of many diseases and has a positive effect on “male power”.
- Useful properties of the product for men:
- reduces the risk of heart and vascular diseases;
- prevents the development of atherosclerosis;
- improves the quality of seminal fluid, increasing sperm activity;
- stimulates testosterone production.
For children
Vitamins and nutrients are especially necessary for the growing body, so it is recommended to include oat milk in the diet of babies. Giving this product to a child is allowed from 6 months, starting with a small portion. In the future, oat milk can be used to prepare various cereals and casseroles from the children's menu.
- The main benefits of the product for children:
- strengthens bones and tooth enamel due to the high content of calcium;
- may be included in the diet of a child who is allergic to lactose and casein;
- enriches the body with vitamins, increasing immunity.
The recommended single dose of the drink for children is up to 50 ml. The product can be taken 2-3 times a day.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding
During pregnancy, a woman's body experiences an increased load, so it needs more vitamins and nutrients. At the same time, the diet should include products that benefit not only the mother, but also the child.
- Oat milk has a positive effect on the body of a pregnant woman:
- contains folic acid, necessary for the normal development of the fetus;
- helps get rid of toxicosis in early pregnancy;
- prevents constipation;
- supplies the mother’s body with vitamins, micro and macro elements.
- The drink is recommended for women breastfeeding. The tool has such useful properties:
- helps the female body recover after the birth of a child;
- provides the baby with the necessary vitamins, getting to the baby through breast milk;
- prevents the development of anemia;
- has a calming effect;
- beneficial effect on the production of breast milk.
When losing weight
Oat milk is good for a diet, helping to quickly lose excess weight. The drink is consumed before meals or is used as the main product during a fasting day.
- Useful properties of oat product in the fight against excess weight:
- reduces appetite;
- causes a long feeling of fullness;
- stimulates the metabolism;
- prevents edema, removing excess fluid from tissues;
- cleanses the body of toxins.
How to cook at home
At home, oat milk is most often prepared for their cereal, that is, you can buy them at any grocery store. If possible, you can make a drink from unrefined oat grains - they contain the maximum amount of vitamins and nutrients.
Important! At the fasting day, it is allowed to drink no more than 2 liters of oat milk per day. For an effective result, it is recommended to combine taking the drug with physical activity.
There are several ways to prepare a product at home:
- pour 2 cups of oat kernels with 1 liter of pure distilled water, infuse for 12 hours, and then beat the liquid mixture with a blender, and strain thoroughly to separate the precipitate;
- combine in a saucepan 250 g of oat grains and 1 liter of hot boiled milk, cook for 1.5 hours at minimum heat, then cool and pass through cheesecloth folded in 3-4 layers;
- pour 100 g of natural oats 1.5 l of pure water, cook for about 40 minutes on low heat, beat the mass with a blender and keep it on the stove for another 20-25 minutes, and then strain;
- pour 500 g of oatmeal into 2 liters of pure water, insist for 15 minutes, then beat it with a blender and pass through a fine sieve.
Storage rules
Home-made oat milk should be kept exclusively in the refrigerator. The product is placed in a clean glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Shelf life - no more than 4 days. Shake the liquid before use.
Did you know? Oats can serve as the basis for the production of alcoholic beverages. Until 1975, this cereal was widely used in the West for the manufacture of whiskey.
Medical use
Oat milk is extremely beneficial for the human body, so it is often taken as an additional, natural remedy in the treatment of various diseases. A drink made according to a home recipe serves as a source of many vitamins and valuable elements, but it does not contain synthetic additives, being an environmentally friendly product. But before using it, you need to consult a doctor to exclude possible contraindications and know how much oat product is allowed to eat for various ailments.
With pancreatitis
The components contained in oat milk positively affect the pancreas, so the tool can be used for pancreatitis. The drink promotes rapid cell regeneration, and also supports the patient's body.
For the treatment of pancreatitis, oat milk is consumed 100 ml 3-4 times a day about 20 minutes before eating. You can drink the drug until the negative symptoms of the disease completely disappear.With gastritis
During the treatment of gastritis, the doctor usually prescribes a special diet to the patient in order to simplify the digestion of food in the stomach and improve the patient’s well-being. Oat milk can also be included in the diet menu, because it has enveloping properties and effectively relieves pain in the body. The drink normalizes digestion and gently cleanses the body of harmful substances.
To treat gastritis, oat milk is drunk 2 times a day in portions of 100 ml. The drug is consumed 20-30 minutes before meals throughout the course of treatment with the main drugs prescribed by the doctor.Did you know? In Ancient Russia, oats began to be grown at the beginning of the VII century. Cereal quickly gained popularity among local residents, t. It was highly resistant to cold climates.
With diabetes
The glycemic index of oat milk is 30 units. Therefore, the use of this drink reduces the risk of developing diabetes, and also effectively helps to reduce the amount of glucose in the blood in the presence of an existing ailment. The composition of the drug contains a special element of beta-glucan - it slows down the absorption of glucose, alleviating the symptoms of the disease.
In diabetes mellitus, it is recommended to prepare the drink not on water, but on fresh cow's milk. The resulting product is drunk 40 minutes before meals, 2-3 times a day, in portions of 100 ml.For constipation
Constipation is the result of impaired intestinal motility. Due to its high fiber content, oat milk effectively eliminates pain, and helps to combat bloating.
The drink also restores the natural intestinal microflora, facilitating its emptying due to the nutrients contained in the product. In case of constipation, oat milk should be drunk on an empty stomach in portions of 200 ml up to 2-3 times a day. The tool is consumed as necessary.
For the liver
Oat milk has a choleretic effect, helps to normalize the liver and gall bladder. The product helps to improve the well-being of patients with hepatitis, alleviating the negative symptoms of this disease.
In addition, the tool protects the gland from the influence of harmful microorganisms, contributing to its healing. The drink is consumed 100 ml 2 times a day before meals until the symptoms of the disease disappear.
How to use in cosmetology
Oat milk can not only be drunk, but also used externally as a component of cosmetic masks for face and hair. This product helps to improve skin color, rejuvenating it and relieving inflammation, and also helps to restore damaged and too dry hair.
Did you know? The first people who cultivated oats were residents of Asia Minor and Southeast Europe. They began to grow this cereal at the beginning of our era.
The most popular recipes for homemade cosmetics with oat milk.
- To improve the condition of the skin of the face. Mix 15 ml of the product with 1 tbsp. l cooled mashed potatoes, add a little yogurt to get a homogeneous mass. Apply to face skin, leave for 20 minutes. After that wash off the mask with warm water. Frequency of use - up to 2 times a week.
- To rejuvenate and relieve inflammation. In this recipe, cake is used, remaining after filtering oat milk through a fine sieve. Mass is applied to the skin of the face, leaving only the area around the eyes free. The mask is held for 20 minutes, and then washed off, rinsing the face with warm water. Frequency of use - 2 times a week.
- To improve complexion. Moisten a cotton pad in oat milk and then rub it on the skin. The procedure can be performed daily, during the morning wash.
- To eliminate split ends of the hair. Wash your hair with ordinary shampoo, dry the curls with a towel (they should remain slightly moist). Apply oat milk to the bottom of the hair, leave for 10 minutes. Wash off the mask with clean, warm water. Frequency of use - 2 times a week.
- To restore weakened and damaged hair. Mix 2 raw egg yolks, 100 ml of oat milk and 15 g of any cosmetic oil to make a homogeneous mass. Apply a mask to the scalp and curls along the entire length, put on a plastic cap and wrap hair with a towel. Leave the product on for 20 minutes, and then rinse it off with warm water. The frequency of the procedure is 1 time in 7 days.
Possible harm and contraindications
Despite the large number of beneficial properties, oat milk has certain contraindications. They must be carefully studied before drinking, and in the presence of any disease, additional medical advice is required.
- The main contraindications:
- celiac disease - the product contains gluten, so it can aggravate the course of the disease;
- individual intolerance to oats - this ingredient is an allergen;
- osteoporosis - the drink contains phytic acid, which can cause an exacerbation of the disease;
- kidney disease - calcium contained in the composition of the product can lead to a deterioration in the well-being of the patient;
- acute diseases of the stomach and intestines - in such situations, the use of the product can provoke pain.
Children begin to give the drink in small portions. When allergy symptoms appear, reception is immediately stopped.
With proper use, oat milk can bring great benefits to the human body. Using the recipes listed in the article, you can easily prepare this drink yourself, and the recommendations presented will help to use it correctly for medical and cosmetic purposes.