Porridge is being targeted as part of a government plan to restrict the sale of unhealthy products, but experts say it is not junk food but is actually a superfood.

Scots have been eating the staple brekkie as part of their diet for over 5,500 years.

1

Scientists have discovered that porridge pots were used in the Outer Hebrides during the Neolithic period. Meanwhile, Professor Karen Scott, who is conducting the research, health The properties of the breakfast staple are said to protect against everything from heart disease and colon cancer to diabetes.

“Porridge is definitely a superfood rather than a junk food,” said the professor of gut microbiology at the Rowett Institute in Aberdeen.

And even if you have ready-made options like porridge pots or oat bars, she explains that it’s better to eat fiber-rich oats in some form than not at all.

Professor Scott said: “If you have a pot of porridge with golden syrup and see how much is in it compared to, say, a bowl of crunchy nut cornflakes, and they both have about the same amount of sugar, then the porridge will contain more sugar, which is good because it has fiber.

“And then there’s the high-energy porridge.” bar, they contain a lot of salt and sugar, but it depends on what you eat in their place.If you are using a flapjack bar instead of a flapjack bar Mars It’s still better because it contains dietary fiber. ”

In 2022, researchers discovered that grains such as wheat were being cooked in well-preserved pots found in the Outer Hebrides as far back as 3600 BC. These were mixed with milk and meat to create an early form of porridge, the researchers said. university Found in Bristol.

Oats, on the other hand, were introduced to Scotland around 600 AD. Due to the lack of sun at the time, only the hardiest grains could grow, and oats soon became an important part of people’s diets. diet.

Although it is often thought of as old, it is still very popular even today. Scotland.

Tony Stone, managing director of Stoats, a porridge producer with a bakery on the outskirts of Edinburgh, says his company sells three tonnes of porridge oats a week and 150,000 oat bars every day.

he said: “We started 20 years ago and found that sales of oat porridge were increasing. It was always about eating at home rather than takeaway, but 20 years ago there was no takeaway option. increased.

“We start by making fresh porridge, retail Brands sold in southern supermarkets England It is located in the north of Scotland. ”

Tony says porridge has experienced a resurgence in popularity over the past five to 10 years as people become more conscious about their health and diet.

She added: “It’s important to separate oatmeal porridge, which can be eaten with fruit and nuts, from a convenient porridge pot. But even if it has sugar, it’s better than no porridge.”

And it’s no wonder people are still obsessed with oats. Oats have many health benefits. advantage. Since oats are a slow-release food, they help maintain energy levels and prevent diabetes.

Professor Scott said: “Because the sugar is bound within the fibres, less sugar is available and it is released into the body slowly over a long period of time.” Shown. ”

She added: “Porridge oats contain large amounts of dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble. Insoluble fiber is very important as a bulking agent, which basically means that as it passes through the body. body, which cannot be digested and reaches the colon as a completely intact fibrous material. It also helps increase the rate at which insoluble fiber passes through the colon, as colonic acid has a much harder time digesting insoluble fiber.

“This is very important, because if there are toxic substances in the food, the faster they pass through the colon and are excreted, the better.”

On the other hand, insoluble dietary fiber is also important for intestinal bacteria. One byproduct, butyrate, is key to preventing colon cancer.

The professor further added: “The soluble fiber component of oats is called beta-glucan. Oats contain about 3g of beta-glucan per 100g. There are truly approved health claims.

“Some oats can help reduce cholesterol levels and heart disease, and some can help reduce colon cancer, both of which are really important diseases to tackle in Scotland.”