Oat porridge consumption alleviates markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in hypercholesterolemic adults

Oats contain antioxidant phytochemicals that may help reduce inflammation as well as oxidative stress. In this study we aimed to investigate the effect of oat porridge consumption on inflammatory marker levels and oxidative stress in Thai adults with high blood lipid levels.

A randomized crossover study was conducted. Hypercholesterolemic adults were randomly assigned to a 4-week daily consumption of oat or rice porridge. After 4 weeks, they were switched to alternate intervention arms for 4 weeks. At baseline, before and after each intervention period, inflammatory markers including hsCRP, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and MCP-1 and antioxidant status markers including ORAC, FRAP, and MDA of all subjects were measured.

Compared to baseline, levels of hsCRP, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were significantly decreased after oat porridge consumption (mean change: -0.6±0.9 mg/L, -26.9±27.6 pg/mL, -56.3±27.6 pg/mL, and - 9.7±11.6 pg/mL, p<0.05 for all, respectively). In addition, consumption of oat porridge also increased antioxidant capacity; ORAC and FRAP levels (mean change: 2.7±1.0 μmol of Trolox/L and 2.4±0.8 μmol of Fe2+/L, p<0.001, respectively). However, MCP-1 and MDA levels were not affected. Consumption of rice porridge did not lead to significant changes in these measures.

Daily consumption of 70 grams oat porridge containing 3 grams β-glucan for 4 weeks may help reduce markers of inflammation and oxidation in hypercholesterolemic adults. Therefore, oat may be an appropriate dietary recommendation for individuals with hypercholesterolemia.