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Oats are one of nature's super foods. A cereal with a thousand and one uses, oats can be consumed raw, cooked or mixed with other foods for a nutritious meal. First farmed in the bronze age in mainland Europe, oats have quickly become part of the staple diet of many nations but are easily overlooked for their health benefits that include lowering cholesterol, providing a natural source of fibre and serving up an alternative to wheat for those with coeliac disease.

So what kind of foods allow us to enjoy the goodness of oats on a regular basis? When asked this question, many people might say porridge oats. A staple part of the Scottish diet as well as plenty of other countries around the world, porridge oats can be enjoyed as a filling and wholesome breakfast when cooked with hot milk then topped with lashings of honey, fruit and chopped nuts. Porridge oats are also popular in cold cereals such as muesli or granola which can be enjoyed with a dollop of low-fat yoghurt as a healthy snack at any time of day.

Believe it or not, oats are also popular in liquid form. For those suffering from lactose intolerance or even people following a vegan diet, oats can be used to create a tasty and healthy alternative to regular cows' or goats' milk. Often containing a delicate blend of protein, fat and carbohydrates, oat milks are perfect for a balanced diet or those keen to reduce cholesterol. For drinkers looking for something a little harder, oats can even be used to make beers. Malt in particular is one of the four main ingredients involved in the production of beers and ales; many of which date back to the 12th century.

Whether eaten as part of a natural and healthy breakfast or even consumed in a pint glass down the pub, the wide ranging use of oats doesn't stop there. Increasingly enjoyed in healthy cookies and fibre-rich muffins, oats can be enjoyed by those with sweet or savoury tastes alike. Oat biscuits in particular are seen as a wholesome alternative to high-fat, sugary baked goods that can contribute towards obesity and other life threatening illnesses. Instead, oat based biscuits offer a sweet pick-me-up without the synthetic added extras commonly found in processed foods.

Like the sound of oats? Now's the time to add this super food into your diet and start enjoying the health benefits of one of Mother Nature's most versatile crops.