Hercules porridge: benefits and harm to the body

As children, we all heard more than once from adults phrases like “if you eat oatmeal in the morning, you will grow strong and strong” or “rolled porridge is the key to health.” And indeed it is! Oatmeal is truly the healthiest breakfast.

Its benefits have been proven by repeated studies, and life experience shows that oatmeal porridge has the best effect on the health of both children and adults.

What exactly is this cereal useful for, whether it can harm the body, and how to properly consume rolled oatmeal porridge - more on all this below.

Hercules porridge - basic information about the product

To begin with, it should be clarified that rolled oats and oatmeal are the names of the same cereal, oats, and they differ only in the way this very cereal is processed. Oat flakes are grains that have only been cleared of shells, husks and debris. Hercules, on the other hand, is crushed oat flakes that have undergone repeated technical processing (moistening, evaporation, etc.).

There is an opinion that from all these procedures some of the beneficial elements and minerals contained in the cereal are lost. However, rolled oats also have an advantage that is extremely pleasant for many busy housewives - unlike oat flakes, it cooks almost twice as fast and boils less.

Why is oatmeal considered the “model” breakfast? Firstly, this dish saturates the body with complex carbohydrates and fiber . Secondly, oatmeal porridge is very rich in vitamins and microelements, which is an undoubted advantage. And thirdly, properly prepared porridge, flavored with spices or some additives, is a very tasty breakfast.

Beneficial properties for the body

What else is cereal good for our health?

• First of all, oatmeal is good for the digestive system . This product contains coarse fiber, which regulates the process of food digestion and cleanses the stomach of toxins and waste. Because of this property, oatmeal porridge often becomes an element of dietary nutrition.
• It is also worth mentioning the laxative and anti-inflammatory properties of this product. Oats are great for problems such as constipation, bloating, flatulence and diarrhea.
• The cereal contains many elements necessary for the normal functioning of the body: phosphorus , responsible for the development of bones and teeth, magnesium and potassium, which regulate the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
• The cereal also contains B vitamins , which improve mental activity and have a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system. If you have oatmeal for breakfast every day, you can forget about bad mood, insomnia, tearfulness or increased anxiety.
• It is also worth saying that rolled oats are saturated with manganese, iodine, fluorine, iron and other elements.
• Oatmeal regulates blood glucose levels , lowers cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of many vascular and heart diseases. Oatmeal can be very beneficial for people with diabetes.
• Regular consumption of rolled oats has a beneficial effect on women's beauty and health . The condition of the hairline improves, hair loss, fragility and increased dryness of curls are reduced. Nails and skin are also transformed.
• Oatmeal is also successfully used for cosmetic purposes . For example, they are used to make face masks. After “oatmeal procedures,” the skin becomes soft, tender and smooth; in addition, oats fight inflammation, acne and blackheads well, and improves complexion.
• Hercules is very useful for pregnant and lactating women , since the minerals and vitamins contained in oats have an extremely beneficial effect on the health of the fetus.
• In addition, oatmeal also contains antioxidants . These substances slow down the aging process and also help strengthen the immune system.
• Hercules porridge contains complex carbohydrates , which perfectly cope with hunger and give a feeling of fullness for many hours.

Oatmeal during lactation

1. It's no secret that women of the fair sex need increased amounts of folic acid while carrying a baby. It is this substance that promotes better fetal development and minimizes the risk of miscarriage. Already in the womb, the child’s brain and nervous system begin to form correctly.
2. The advantage of porridge is that just one serving contains about 15% of the daily requirement of folic acid. As mentioned earlier, the vitamin is necessary for the body of a pregnant girl. In addition, rolled oats also contain other B vitamins. If a woman’s body does not have enough thiamine, tachycardia develops.
3. As a result, you will feel shortness of breath, irritability and disrupted sleep quality. In addition, thiamine will eliminate many problems that often arise at the end of pregnancy. Among other things, the porridge contains riboflavin, which helps other enzymes to be properly absorbed.
4. Vitamin B2 is directly involved in the breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. It is thanks to riboflavin that new blood cells are formed. The vitamin prevents the formation of vision problems. It also takes part in the formation of the fetus. It is for this reason that a pregnant girl is strictly prohibited from allowing a deficiency of riboflavin in her body.
5. Pyridoxine is also present in the porridge, and in large quantities. The substance is considered an excellent remedy that suppresses the effects of toxicosis. Thanks to the enzyme in the tissues, the absorption of other vitamins entering the body is improved. When an expectant mother is expecting a baby, the risk of developing anemia increases seriously. Therefore, it is imperative to consume the right foods, oatmeal is one of them. It contains 20% of the daily requirement of the substance.
6. Many people know that pregnant girls often suffer from problems such as constipation. As a result of systematic consumption of porridge, you will soon simply forget about such a common problem. Active substances and dietary fiber have a beneficial effect on the activity of the gastrointestinal tract. Due to the fact that the product contains a sufficient amount of phosphorus and calcium, the baby’s bone tissue begins to form correctly.
7. Among other things, oatmeal is highly recommended to be consumed during the postpartum period. Thanks to this, you will be able to recover much faster. The valuable composition of rolled oats will be especially useful in case of large blood loss. Porridge promotes better production of breast milk. Oatmeal can be harmful to your body if you are gluten intolerant.

benefits and harms of wheat porridge for the body

1. Your child can be introduced to this product at an early age. In some cases, it is recommended to include porridge in a child’s diet from 4 months of age. This is done only if the baby is underweight. In other cases, porridge should be given from six months. The problem is that it contains gluten.
2. Give oatmeal gradually as complementary food. The benefits of the product are comparable to breast milk. The porridge contains a sufficient amount of retinol. This product helps the baby’s body to properly form bone tissue, strengthen teeth and visual organs. The B complex of vitamins properly forms the liver, kidneys and nervous system.
3. In addition, porridge saturates the baby with a huge amount of energy. The child becomes drowsy and lethargic. Plus, the immune system is strengthened. Hercules is considered an excellent product that prevents the development of diabetes and obesity.

There is a misconception that oatmeal and rolled oats are two names for the same dish. Both products are made from the same raw materials - oatmeal, however, the processing methods are different. Oatmeal is whole or crushed grains that have not been subjected to special mechanical and thermal effects, while to prepare rolled oats, cereals go through several stages of processing.

Hercules is the name of the Soviet trademark, which is widely used to refer to oatmeal. Whole grains or their halves are steamed, then swollen, passed through hard rollers, strongly flattened. The tiny thin cakes are then lightly baked. Depending on the cooking time, the flakes are divided into:

• No cooking required.
• Quick (3-5 min).
• Medium (5-15 min).
• Long cooking (15-25 min).

Whole grains have to be cooked for 40-60 minutes until fully cooked, which is too long for a quick breakfast or a quick snack.

Another important difference is the price: as a rule, rolled oats are much more expensive.

Thanks to its integral structure, oatmeal retains all its beneficial properties:

• Oatmeal is rich in vitamins E, H, PP and group B. In terms of the amount of biotin (vitamin H), oatmeal is ahead of many products.
• Contains a number of vital microelements: potassium, iron, manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, selenium, iodine, cobalt, fluorine, copper.
• It is especially useful for pregnant women and those planning pregnancy, as it is a rich source of folic acid, which is necessary for successful conception and bearing a healthy child.
• Positively affects the functioning of the immune system, protects against infectious diseases.
• The beta-glucan contained in the composition lowers cholesterol levels in the blood and cleanses blood vessels. Effective in preventing thrombosis and almost all cardiovascular diseases.
• A large amount of beta-glucan saturates the body, allowing you to not feel hungry for a long time and helping to refrain from snacking.
• Due to its low glycemic index, boiled oatmeal can be included in the diet of some diabetics.
• Improves metabolism. Excellent dietary food for those who want to lose weight. For greater effect, it is necessary to cook the product in water without sugar. Those who have a sweet tooth can add honey, pieces of fruit or berries to the dish, which will only add nutrition to the food.
• Charges with energy for a long time. Perfect for athletes and people involved in physical labor.
• Promotes efficient memory functioning. An indispensable element in the nutrition of schoolchildren and students, especially during periods of active mental activity, for example, during exams.
• Natural antioxidant.
• Cleanses the body, removes waste and toxins.
• Contains beneficial amino acids necessary for gaining muscle mass.
• Rolled oatmeal can be used to create cleansing scrubs. Such natural remedies clear pores of blackheads, rejuvenate the skin, and make it more elastic.
• Strengthens and normalizes the functioning of the central nervous system, helps to better cope with stress, and relieves insomnia.

After pregnancy and the birth of a child, the mother’s body is greatly weakened. The immune system decreases, which means that during this period the woman will be highly susceptible to various unpleasant and dangerous diseases.

For this reason, a full recovery of strength is required. It is the foods that will be consumed that will have a major impact on a woman’s health.

Read more: Soy flour: harm and benefit and harm

But it’s still worth remembering a few important tips:

• The choice of oatmeal should be treated with special care. You definitely need to look at the appearance, the method of preparation, you need to study the composition, it should not contain dyes, preservatives, or palm oil. These substances will have harmful effects on the child.
• Before introducing it into the diet, you should make sure that the baby has no allergies or colic in the stomach. The child should also have normal bowel movements.
• A woman should consume 200–250 grams of boiled porridge per day.
• At first it should be cooked in water, and after three months it can be boiled using milk.

Possible harm

• Instant oatmeal, so popular lately, does not provide any benefit to the body. On the contrary, if consumed frequently, they can even harm your figure (due to the large amount of sugar in the composition).
• Oat dishes may be contraindicated for people with serious kidney disease.
• People suffering from gluten intolerance will also have to give up rolled oats.
• Do not forget that oatmeal is a high-calorie product, therefore, abuse can lead to extra pounds.

Hercules: calories

Hercules porridge, a product that consists primarily of carbohydrates, is characterized by a high calorie content. This is both its benefit and harm. The calorie content of rolled oats is approximately 350-355 kcal per 100 g. This is exactly how many kilocalories are contained in 100 g of this porridge:

• 11 g proteins;
• 6 g fat;
• 61 g carbohydrates.

With a low fat content, rolled oats contain an abundance of carbohydrates, which provide most of the calories. But these carbohydrates do not cause a rapid increase in blood sugar, they lead to this result gradually. This type of carbohydrates is called slow carbohydrates and, above all, they give the oatmeal porridge its calorie content. Therefore, oatmeal porridge with its calorie content is also useful in that it is a dietary product suitable for diabetics, provided it is consumed without sugar.

Hercules porridge BZHU

The ratio of BJU in oatmeal porridge is 19.8%: 10.4%: 69.9%, respectively. Thus, this product contains a lot of carbohydrates and relatively a lot of protein with a low amount of fat and low calorie content overall.

Squirrels	19,8%
Fats	10,4%
Carbohydrates	69,9%

Tips for preparation and consumption

1. Hercules porridge can be prepared with water and milk. In the first case, the product turns out to be less caloric, and in the second, it is more nutritious and, according to many people, much more tasty.
2. Be sure to rinse the cereal with hot water before cooking. This will get rid of debris and husks. Also, after this procedure, the cereal will cook faster.
3. To ensure that the oatmeal is not too runny, do not add too much liquid. One and a half glasses of liquid is enough for a glass of cereal. If the porridge is still boiled, after cooking, close it with a lid and let it brew. This will remove excess moisture from the product.
4. Do not be lazy to remove the foam that rises during cooking, otherwise the porridge will have an unpleasant bitter taste.
5. If regular oatmeal porridge seems too simple, you can diversify the dish by adding spices, nuts or pieces of fruit. Pair well with oatmeal: cinnamon, ripe banana, sweet apples, dried apricots or raisins. For those with a sweet tooth, we can recommend adding a couple of slices of chocolate to the porridge - this will sweeten the porridge and make it even tastier.