DEMONSTRATING THE MULTIPLE BENEFITS OF OATMEAL AS PART OF A HEART HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM

CLIENT: Quaker / Tropicana

CATEGORY: Food & Beverage Companies

BACKGROUND

Oatmeal has multiple nutritional attributes which can make it particularly valuable for individuals seeking heart healthy weight management. In particular, oatmeal is a whole grain cereal which has been shown to lower cholesterol, risk of diabetes and risk of the metabolic syndrome. Oatmeal is also highly satiating, allowing individuals to experience increased fullness. Quaker oats came to RLI to conduct a study demonstrating that oatmeal in the context of a weight loss diet could yield multiple health benefits.

RLI'S RESPONSE

RLI conducted a large, prospective, randomized, clinical trial comparing several different oatmeal products in the context of an overall healthy weight loss program. Individuals who followed this program were carefully monitored by RLI scientists to explore various health aspects of heart healthy weight loss utilizing this program.

RESULTS

Individuals who followed the Quaker Heart Healthy Weight Loss Program lost substantial amounts of weight and lowered their risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. These changes were present at 12 weeks and persisted to 24 weeks. RLI researchers have presented a total of 13 scientific abstracts at national meetings characterizing the benefits of oatmeal as part of an overall healthy approach to healthy weight management. This information has continued to build the case for oatmeal as a healthy component of an overall approach, both to lowering risk factors for heart disease and also healthy weight management.