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Page 75
| itakes and other Asian mushrooms also appear to thin the blood and help prevent dangerous clots. |
| Tips: |
| More and more markets now carry Asian mushrooms, particularly the popular shiitakes, but if you don't find the fresh version, dried mushrooms are a convenient and nutritious alternative. To prepare dried mushrooms, put them in a pan and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil, then simmer for about 20 minutes. Drain the mushrooms and add them to your recipe. You can use the water to make soup stock. |
| F.Y.I. |
| The complex carbohydrates and fiber in oats helps stabilize blood sugar levels, which benefits diabetics as well as anyone seeking long-lasting energy. |
| Oats have long been used to treat nervousness, and recent evidence shows they really do have calming powers. For example, one study of heavy smokers quitting the habit found that withdrawal symptoms were eased more by an oat extract than by a placebo. The complex carbohydrates and fiber in oats probably contribute to this soothing effect; they help steady blood sugar levels and stabilize mood. |
| Oats |
| Reduce cholesterol |
| Stabilize blood sugar levels |
| Ease constipation |
| Help control appetite |
| Soothe nerves |
| May help prevent heart disease and stroke |
| May help prevent cancer |
| Soon after the cholesterol-heart disease link came to light, oat bran was proved to help reduce cholesterol levels. Overnight, oat bran muffins became the rage among health-conscious eaters. Then, like most fads, they disappeared just as quicklybefore many people even realized that oats don't have to come in muffins. |
| Over the years people have become a lot savvier about the cholesterol-nutrition link, and oatmeal and other oat-filled foods have soared in popularity. But many people are still unaware of its many other health benefits. |
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