Among the nine staple grains commonly consumed by the Chinese populace—wheat, rice, corn, etc.—oats hold the highest economic value, primarily due to their exceptional nutritional, medicinal, and feed qualities. Moreover, with the enrichment of modern material living standards, the abundant dietary fiber in oats has made them increasingly favored by people, especially women.
According to a comprehensive analysis by the Institute of Hygiene at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chinese naked oats contain 15.6% crude protein, 8.5% fat, starch for energy release, and elements like phosphorus, iron, and calcium. Compared to the other eight grains, oats rank at the top in all these aspects.The soluble dietary fiber content in oats is 4.7 times that of wheat and 7.7 times that of corn. Oats are rich in B vitamins, niacin, folic acid, and pantothenic acid, particularly vitamin E, with a high content of 15 milligrams per 100 grams of oat flour. Additionally, oat flour contains saponins (the primary component of ginseng), which are absent in other cereal grains.Its protein amino acid profile is comprehensive, ranking first in all eight essential amino acids, notably containing 0.68 grams of lysine. Oatmeal is rich in magnesium and vitamin B1, while also providing phosphorus, potassium, iron, pantothenic acid, copper, and fiber. It helps lower cholesterol and offers auxiliary benefits for fatty liver disease, diabetes, and constipation.Uncooked oat bran is rich in magnesium, vitamin B1, phosphorus, and potassium, and also contains iron, zinc, folic acid, pantothenic acid, and copper. Oatmeal improves blood circulation and promotes wound healing. Medical Value The medicinal value and health benefits of oats have been recognized by medical communities throughout history and across cultures.It lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, prevents colorectal cancer, and guards against heart disease. According to five rounds of animal trials and three rounds of clinical observations involving 997 cases conducted between 1981 and 1985 by 18 medical institutions including the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease Research Center, and Beijing Haidian Hospital, naked oats can prevent and treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases caused by hyperlipidemia.Specifically, consuming naked oat flakes for three months (100 grams daily) significantly reduces cholesterol, triglycerides, and β-lipoproteins in the cardiovascular system and liver, with an overall efficacy rate of 87.2%. Its therapeutic effect shows no significant difference from that for coronary heart disease and is free of side effects. It also demonstrates equally pronounced efficacy for secondary hyperlipidemia caused by liver or kidney disorders, diabetes, fatty liver disease, and other conditions.Long-term consumption of oatmeal aids in managing diabetes and obesity.【Feed Value】
Oat leaves and straw are succulent, tender, and highly palatable. According to Livestock Husbandry Science, naked oat straw contains 5.2% crude protein, 2.2% crude fat, and 44.6% nitrogen-free extract—all higher than rice straw, wheat straw, and corn stalks.while containing 28.2% indigestible fiber—4.9% to 16.4% lower than wheat, corn, and millet straw—making it one of the finest forage crops. Its seeds serve as high-quality feed for young livestock, elderly animals, sick animals, heavy-duty work animals, as well as poultry and livestock like chickens and pigs.
Nutrition expert Professor Chen explains that as an ancient grain crop, oats thrive in cold, high-altitude regions between 1,000–2,700 meters. They feature high protein and low carbohydrates. Simultaneously, oats are rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber, which can absorb and expel significant amounts of cholesterol from the human body. This aligns perfectly with the modern dietary philosophy of "embracing whole grains."Moreover, oats contain high-viscosity soluble fiber that slows gastric emptying, increases satiety, and controls appetite.
A diet incorporating oats aids in long-term energy intake control and moderates blood sugar responses from slowly digesting carbohydrates. Oat fiber also reduces hunger sensations, naturally contributing to weight management.
【Nutritional Benefits】
Rich in starch, protein, fats, B vitamins, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, and other nutrients, oats benefit the liver and stomach while promoting skin health. They also offer antibacterial and antioxidant properties, effectively boosting immunity against seasonal flu in spring.【Food Pairings】
【Oat Milk】Enhances absorption of protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and various trace elements.
【Oats with Chinese Yam】Promotes longevity and serves as an excellent dietary remedy for diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.
【Oatmeal with Pumpkin】Nourishes the liver and stomach, promotes bowel regularity, lowers blood pressure, and reduces blood lipids.
【Beauty Benefits】
Beyond its natural health properties, oats offer significant cosmetic value. People have long used oats to treat dry skin and itching. Archaeological evidence suggests ancient Egyptian queens and consorts bathed in oatmeal water.

Oats contain components such as oat protein, oat peptides, oat beta-glucan, and oat oil. They offer antioxidant benefits, enhance skin vitality, delay skin aging, brighten and moisturize, reduce wrinkles and dark spots, and provide anti-allergic effects. Countries like the United States, Japan, South Korea, Canada, and France refer to oats as the "family doctor," "plant gold," and "natural beautician."
【Moisturizing & Skin Conditioning】
Avena β-glucan is a linear, unbranched polysaccharide. It connects β-D-glucopyranose units via β-(1-3) and β-(1-4) glycosidic bonds, forming a high-molecular-weight polymer. Due to its abundant hydrophilic groups, it can absorb moisture or lock in water within the skin's stratum corneum.Oat β-glucan delivers exceptional moisturizing benefits, promotes collagen synthesis in fibroblasts, accelerates wound healing, and exhibits potent skin-repairing properties. Furthermore, its unique physicochemical characteristics impart a silky-smooth texture to the skin, evoking a sensation of pleasure, comfort, and elegance.
Protein is one of oats' primary constituents. Through enzymatic hydrolysis, proteins yield small-molecule peptides and amino acids. These molecules contain hydrophilic groups that absorb moisture or lock hydration within the skin's stratum corneum, delivering exceptional moisturizing benefits.High-molecular-weight oat proteins can form films at low concentrations, encapsulating or isolating smaller molecules. This facilitates rapid delivery or timed release of active ingredients, improving hair texture and dry skin. Proteins, peptides, and amino acids are also essential nutrients for tissue and cellular growth and development. Incorporating these substances into cosmetics further nourishes the skin, supports cellular health, and promotes the healthy growth and development of skin tissue.
Oats are rich in high-quality oils primarily composed of unsaturated fatty acids. The lipid composition and hydration properties of oat oil can emulsify large amounts of water within oils, making it an effective carrier for epidermal hydration agents. Oat oil also forms a protective lipid film on the skin surface, providing long-lasting moisture retention. The unsaturated fatty acids in oat essential oil soften the skin, nourish the complexion, and deliver a comfortable texture.
【Brightening & Spot Reduction】
Skin tone is primarily determined by the amount of melanin in the epidermis. Melanin in the human body is produced by melanocytes. Within these cells, tyrosine undergoes a series of biochemical reactions catalyzed by enzymes like tyrosinase to form melanin.Tyrosinase acts as the primary rate-limiting enzyme in melanin synthesis. Inhibiting its activity suppresses melanin production. Additionally, antioxidants can inhibit the biochemical reactions involved in melanin formation, thereby reducing melanin production.
Oat extract contains abundant bioactive compounds that inhibit tyrosinase activity. Its inhibitory capacity rivals that of arbutin, a commonly used whitening agent in cosmetics, yet oat extract is significantly more cost-effective than arbutin.Additionally, oats contain abundant antioxidant components. These substances effectively inhibit redox reactions during melanin formation, reducing melanin production, lightening dark spots, and maintaining fair, radiant skin.【Anti-Wrinkle & Antioxidant】
Oats contain abundant antioxidants, including phenolic acids such as: caffeic acid, ferulic acid, coumaric acid, benzoic acid, vanillic acid, sinapic acid, protocatechuic acid, salicylic acid, gallic acid, and eugenolic acid;Flavonoid compounds include: 5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavone; 3',4',5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone; and 4',5,7-trihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyflavone. Additionally, they contain vitamin E, avenanthramides, and other compounds. These substances effectively neutralize free radicals, reducing their damage to skin cells, minimizing wrinkle formation, lightening dark spots, and maintaining skin elasticity and radiance.