Having a multifaceted health aura around it, oats is a top ranker in the list of superfoods. Oats contain a specific type of soluble fibre called beta-glucans, which is known to lower cholesterol.

Today, the market has a variety of this wonder cereal available in many different forms. Here are the different varieties of oats and their nutritional benefits.

1.Whole grain oats: Also known as oat groats , these are whole oat kernels with the inedible hull removed. They have a chewier texture and are the best eaten hot, as breakfast porridge.

2.Steel-cut oats: Also called Irish oats , they are whole oat groats which have been chopped into small pieces with metal blades. This increases the surface area to absorb water. Thus, they cook faster, approximately 20 minutes on the stove top.

3. Scottish oats: More popularly known as oatmeal , these oats are stone-ground into irregular broken bits. These have a creamier texture that steel cut oats.

4. Rolled oats: In this, the oat groats are steamed to soften them and then rolled into flakes. This process stabilizes their healthy oils and extends their shelf life without significantly affecting their nutritional profile.

5. Oat bran: This is the outer layer of the oat groats that is ground into a coarse meal and is high in soluble fibre. It contains almost all the fibre in oat kernel. It is technically not a whole grain since it is ground only from the brain layer.