Oats: Its Biologically Active Compounds as Functional Food Source

Oats are known to be a healthy food for the heart mainly due to their high β-glucan content. Besides, they contain more than 20 unique polyphenols, avenanthramides, which have shown strong antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo. The polyphenols of oats have also recently been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and anti-itching activity, which may provide additional protection against coronary heart disease, colon cancer, and skin irritation. Oats have been labelled as a functional food as they contain β-glucan, minerals, and antioxidants. Owing to their high nutritional value, oat-based food products like bread, biscuits, cookies, probiotic drinks, breakfast cereals, flakes, and infant food are gaining increasing consideration.