Nutritional comparison of oats and spelt flakes

Oat and spelt flakes are both nutritious breakfast options, though they offer different nutritional profiles. Per 100 grams, spelt flakes contain slightly more carbohydrates (58g vs 53g) and protein (14g vs 13g) than oats. Spelt is also higher in fiber, while oats contain significantly more fat (7g compared to 2.5g in spelt), primarily consisting of healthy unsaturated fatty acids.

Oats are particularly noted for their health benefits due to the fiber beta-glucan. According to nutritional medicine expert Matthias Riedl, consuming 70 grams of oats daily can lower cholesterol levels by up to 15 percent by binding bile acids. This process encourages the body to use existing blood cholesterol to produce new bile acid. Additionally, oats contain avenanthramids, which provide anti-inflammatory effects to protect blood vessels, and potassium, which can help lower blood pressure by acting as a natural counter to salt.