Oatmeal is the best breakfast for champions. It’s easy and fast to make, cheap, and filling. In this busy economy, most people prefer doing things quickly, including making meals. However, it leaves us wondering whether what we consume is healthy. While some people are good with consuming any food, others are more careful about what they eat.
If you are on this page, then you are the latter. You take your time researching what you eat, ensuring it’s healthy. Healthy foods contain essential nutrients that provide you with the right minerals, healthy calories, carbohydrates, proteins, etc. These nutrients help your body in various ways, including providing antibiotic effects.
So, is maple and brown sugar oatmeal healthy? Let’s find out.
Is maple and brown sugar oatmeal healthy?
Is maple syrup healthy?
Maple syrup has a natural caramel sweetness and lots of healthy benefits. It has many nutrients, including minerals and antioxidants, and fewer calories than honey, making it an awesome addition to your meals.
Maple contains:
- Riboflavin
- Manganese
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Calories
- Calcium
- Sugar
The Health benefits of maple syrup include?
Lowers cholesterol: Studies reveal that maple syrup helps lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood and potentially helps prevent inflammation in the liver.
Helps boost brain health: Studies also show that maple syrup helps prevent tangling, misfolding, and clumping specific proteins in brain cells. The deformations are linked to various neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Prevents manganese deficiency: The high manganese content found in maple syrup makes it one of the best ways to treat manganese deficiency. This disorder is uncommon; however, it has serious consequences like a reduced capacity for your body to heal its wounds.
Is brown sugar healthy?
Brown sugar is healthier than white sugar because it contains molasses. There are five types of brown sugar: demerara, muscovado, dark brown sugar, turbinado, and natural brown sugar. You should use natural brown sugar processed directly from sugar cane because it’s healthier.
Brown sugar contains:
- Zinc
- Manganese
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Calories
- Potassium
- Sugar
Health benefits of brown sugar include:
Energy booster: Consuming brown sugar provides your body with an energy similar to any other type of sugar, which is a great boost, especially in the morning.
Helps with weight loss: Molasses is known to boost metabolism and satiate hunger, which can help you lose weight. However, you should take care not to consume brown sugar in huge amounts.
Relieving flatulence: Research suggests that brown sugar can help relieve flatulence, which is not dangerous. However, it can help save you some embarrassment.
Is oatmeal healthy?
Oatmeal has many health benefits, making it one of the best foods for breakfast. However, you should be careful about what type of oatmeal you consume since some brands contain too much sugar or sodium. Thus, it would help to check the brand and study the ingredients before making a purchase.
Oatmeal contains:
- Water
- Calories
- Protein
- Fiber
- Carbs
- Saturated fat
- Monounsaturated fat
- Polyunsaturated fat
- Omega 6
- Omega 3
Oatmeal’s health benefits include:
- Lowering blood sugar levels
- Promoting healthy bacteria in the gut
- Providing antioxidants
- Easing constipation
- Relieving skin irritation and itching
- Helps you feel full
- Lowering chances of colon cancer
Maple & Brown Sugar Oatmeal nutritional facts
| Nutrition facts | Quaker Maple & Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal | Better Oats Maple & Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal | NutriSystem Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal | Great Value Maple & Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Units | 1 packet (43g) | 1 pouch (28gl) | 1 packet | 1 packet (43g) |
| Calories | 160 | 100 | 150 | 160 |
| Total Fat | 2g | 2g | 1.5g | 2g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0mg | 0mg | 0mg |
| Sodium | 260mg | 210mg | 140mg | 260mg |
| Carbohydrates | 33g | 18g | 29g | 32g |
| Protein | 4g | 4g | 4g | 4g |
| Sugars | 12g | 0.5g | 8g | 12g |
| Fiber | 3g | 3g | 3g | 3g |
| Iron | 1.1mg | 3.6mg | 1.2mg | 3.6mg |
| Calcium | 20mg | 100mg | 20mg | 160mg |
Is consuming maple and brown sugar oatmeal healthy?
Looking at the nutrients mentioned above, you’ll notice that there are many benefits to be gained from consuming maple and brown sugar oatmeal. They include:
Antioxidation properties
Studies show that maple and brown sugar have a good amount of antioxidants. This quantity is higher than that found in raw honey. The study revealed that maple syrup (in its pure form) contains about 24 different antioxidants.
Antioxidants provide lots of benefits. For instance, they can help reduce damage to your body’s cells from free radicals. This damage can cause inflammation and chronic diseases. Antioxidants can help protect you from cancer.
Your cells’ DNA can be damaged, causing them to mutate. However, antioxidants can help minimize these effects. Brown sugar is way healthier than refined sugar, which has been known to trigger or, at the very least, contribute to cancer.
Enhancing your body’s antibiotic effects
Antibiotics help your body heal from various illnesses; however, taking antibiotic pills has proven to have more harm in the long run. It’s become harder to ignore the potential dangers prompting various research entities to develop healthier alternatives. Pathogens have started becoming more resilient because of the overuse of antibiotics.
Additionally, researchers have discovered that antibiotics may also attack healthy body cells. One way you could help your body heal naturally is by providing it with natural remedies. Research determines that various extracts from maple syrup can provide your body with natural antibiotics that can help it fight diseases better.
Reducing levels of glucose in the body
As mentioned before, brown sugar does help reduce levels of glucose in the body; however, it does so indirectly. For instance, refined sugars cause a sudden spike in glucose levels in the body which can cause diabetes. Brown sugar and maple syrup introduce glucose to your body, naturally presenting a lower risk.
Lowered cholesterol
Many people are affected by heart conditions globally; one of the key factors that trigger these situations is high blood cholesterol. Studies show that beta-glucan, a fiber found in oats, helps boost the secretion of cholesterol-rich bile, reducing the amount of cholesterol circulating in the blood.
Oxidation of bad cholesterol, which happens when the bad cholesterol reacts with free radicals, is a primary factor that often leads to heart disease. This meal can also help reduce the risk of inflation that could lead to damaged heart tissues and arteries. If left unchecked, this could lead to strokes and heart attacks.
Recommendations
Use steel-cut oats: Steel-cut oats take longer to cook; however, they are worth the wait. They have a great texture; they are chewy, creamy, and delicious.
Avoid instant oatmeal: instant oatmeal often has too much sugar or sodium, which is harmful to your health.
Conclusion: Is maple and brown sugar oatmeal healthy?
Healthy meals are important, especially if it’s for breakfast. Your meal should have enough nutrients and energy to power your body throughout the day. Maple and brown sugar oatmeal is healthy; however, you must be careful not to consume too much brown sugar or maple syrup.