- Phenolic antioxidants in oats have been found to obstruct
the ability of cholesterol to stick to artery walls. Researchers funded
by the Agricultural Research Service have shown that these compounds, called
avenanthramides, significantly suppress the adhesive molecules that "glue"
blood cells to artery walls.
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- The study was done by nutritionist Mohsen Meydani and
colleagues at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
(HNRCA) at Tufts University in Boston, Mass. Meydani is director of the
HNRCA's Vascular Biology Laboratory.
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- When blood cells stick to artery walls and cause inflammation,
plaque deposits build up and narrow the passageways through which blood
flows. The suppression of plaque provided by avenanthramide compounds may
lessen the gradual constriction of vessels that leads to hardening of the
arteries.
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- To test the compound's anti-degenerative activity within
arterial walls, the scientists purified avenanthramides from oats and exposed
them to human arterial wall cells for 24 hours. They then observed the
mixture under incubation. Meydani found that the ability of blood cells
to stick to arterial wall cells was significantly reduced.
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- Water-soluble fiber from oats has long been believed
to help reduce the amount of LDL cholesterol circulating in blood. To gain
heart-healthy benefits from fiber and avenanthramides, the researchers
suggest adding oat products as part of an overall healthy diet and cutting
down on high-fat, high-cholesterol foods.
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- As a grain, oats are included in enriched cereals and
breads, in oatmeal as rolled oats, and in muffins and other baked goods
as oat bran.
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- Read more about this research in the June issue of Agricultural
Research magazine, available on the World Wide Web at:
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- http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/jun04/oats0604.htm
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- ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific
research agency.
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