The benefits and harms of oatmeal porridge, rules for selection and storage

Hercules is called one of the types of oatmeal, along with petal and extra. They differ in the pretreatment technique, on which the speed of cooking porridge depends. Extra are quickly digested, however, there are fewer useful substances in them. They are destroyed in the process of intensive machining. A more gentle regime is used for Hercules flakes, due to which they maintain an optimal balance of fiber and trace elements. But such flakes should be cooked longer - up to 20 minutes over low heat.

Flake Selection Tactics

To maximize the benefits of Herculean porridge, you must carefully select the flakes. Pay attention to the quality and integrity of the packaging, packaging date and expiration date. The right choice consists of the following components.

• Only flakes. To prepare a delicious breakfast, you don’t need anything else, so refuse to buy packages with additional ingredients. The presence of sugar, berries and fruits, flavors and flavors reduces the benefits of the product, but makes it more expensive, more caloric. In addition, such cereals usually do not include oatmeal, but flakes of the finest grinding, which can not be cooked, but steamed with boiling water. They have nothing to do with real tasty and healthy porridge.
• The best packaging is clear. In this you can evaluate the composition of Hercules visually. High-quality groats - clean, without impurities. The presence of white "shavings" is allowed, these are particles of flattened grains. But a large number of them is undesirable, since valuable fiber is destroyed in the “chips”.
• White colour. Its shades can vary from yellowish to cream. Do not buy brown flakes; the quality of their cleaning is poor.
• A cardboard bundle carries risks. Hercules actively absorbs moisture from the environment. Therefore, if it is packaged in cardboard packaging (without a bag), violation of storage conditions is fatal for it. Excess moisture destroys the nutrients in the cereal. And since it is impossible to say under what conditions the boxes were stored, it is better not to buy such flakes.
• Shelf life is different. Hercules is stored in sealed plastic bags for the longest time. This is the best packaging for cereals, which keeps them in perfect condition for up to 1 year. Shorter time demonstrates cardboard packaging. In it, the storage period should not exceed 4 months.

Properties of popular porridge

And now we will consider what are the benefits and harms of Herculean porridge, especially in the morning. Who should use it and how often, and who better to refrain so as not to get health problems.

Benefit

For the first time, the Americans declared the beneficial properties of oatmeal porridge in the early twentieth century. Quaker Oats, which has been producing them since 1901, conducted an entire advertising campaign, which represented hercules as an excellent source of fiber and nutrients. Advertising did not dissemble. There is really a lot of value in this croup.

• Coarse Fiber. Or a hard shell of oats, which cannot be completely removed from grains during the processing period. It is partially stored on cereals, is not digested in the stomach, but, getting into the intestines, arranges a “general cleaning” there. Coarse fiber acts like a scrub, literally "tearing off" the settled toxins from the walls of the large intestine. This property of porridge is known to nutritionists who recommend eating it during the diet period for effective and safe bowel cleansing. Enhances the purification effect of the abundant use of water.
• Amino acids. They are necessary for the body to function normally, as it forms muscle tissue proteins. The use of Hercules is especially necessary for athletes, as it is able to quickly restore muscle tone after exertion. It is also important for children during the period of muscle growth and formation.
• Antioxidants. They are in Hercules flakes, but their scientists still argue about the practical value. It is believed that antioxidants block harmful free radicals in our bodies. Those appear as a result of the normal reaction of the interaction of cells with oxygen. But they only bring harm to the body, causing aging and the development of diseases. According to another theory, it is impossible to block the action of these free radicals, since they support the natural process of aging. In any case, the presence of antioxidants in the composition of Hercules allows us to hope that we postpone old age and illness for later.
• Vitamins and minerals. The beneficial properties of Hercules are based on the abundance of B vitamins in its composition and valuable minerals: calcium, zinc, phosphorus, iron, potassium and magnesium. All of them participate in the formation of the skeletal system, the work of the heart and muscles.
• Gluten. This protein is also called gluten. It is thanks to him that the porridge has such a viscous appearance after cooking. In the stomach, gluten envelops the walls, reducing the effects of acids on tissues. This helps people with gastrointestinal dysfunction (gastritis, ulcer) to tolerate painful attacks, improves the effectiveness of treatment.
• Carbohydrates. These substances are the most powerful energy supplier for the human body. There are a lot of them in Hercules - up to 66 g per 100 grams of product! That is why porridge is considered high-calorie. But its difference from other high-calorie foods is the presence of long carbohydrates, which are transformed into energy not instantly, but gradually. The energy from splitting them enters the body within 4 hours, so the feeling of satiety is maintained until lunch.

Harm

Why can’t you use Hercules every day? Despite the many valuable qualities, there are contraindications for the use of hercules. Its use is limited for celiac disease, frequent use in the menu is not allowed.

• Gluten intolerance in children. The same gluten that helps patients recover from an ulcer is contraindicated in children of the first year of life. This substance is a protein, and the protein for the human body is foreign. The degree of its tolerance is individual. In some babies, it does not cause any negative manifestations. Others have persistent digestive upsets. Therefore, you should include hercules in the diet of babies no earlier than at 8 months.
• Cilia. A genetic disease also associated with gluten intolerance. Protein can cause indigestion in adulthood, which is considered an individual reaction. The danger of celiac disease is that it provokes an inflammatory process in the intestine. It manifests itself with regular bloating, frequent urge to "go to the toilet", which reduces the quality of life. But inflammation is manifested not only by external signs.It reduces the intensity of absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, which is a dangerous condition.

The use of Hercules should be dosed! You can’t eat this porridge daily, even if you tolerate it normally. The enveloping properties of gluten can play a trick, disrupting the absorption of calcium, which will lead to brittle bones, violation of tooth enamel, deterioration of the skin.

Calorie content and nutritional value

Recipe

The product is very easy to prepare, so it is ideal for a hearty and quick breakfast. We suggest you cook a porridge with milk and water.

You will need:

• Hercules flakes - 1 cup;
• water - 1.5 cups;
• milk - 1 cup;
• sugar - 1 tbsp. spoon;
• salt is a pinch.

Cooking

1. Pour water into the pan, boil.
2. Add salt, sugar. Pour in cereal.
3. Boil for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Pour in warmed milk, cook for 5 minutes.
5. Remove from the stove, cover with a towel, leave for 5 minutes.
6. Serve with a piece of butter in each plate.

To improve the taste of the dish will help fruits, berries, nuts. A classic of the "genre" is the addition of raisins and dried apricots. Honey, homemade jam are also suitable.

This is such a difficult one, porridge hercules, the benefits and harms of this product are known to you. And now you can use it in your diet without risk.