Everyone knows perfectly what oatmeal is, and has heard about its benefits to the body. But few people are familiar with such a product as bran from oats, which are widely used in diet food, for various diseases of the digestive tract and are used in cosmetology. Read about how the product looks, how it differs from oatmeal and how it is used in various spheres of human activity.

What is oat bran?

Oat bran is a secondary product of flour milling, i.e., separated hard shells of processed grain.

They differ in the degree of grinding and can be:

• small (thinned);
• large (rough).

Did you know? Oat flakes can neutralize aromas, so they can be used to eliminate unpleasant odors in the refrigerator.

Bran from oats have the appearance of fine husks. Its shade is yellow-gray or brownish. The taste of the product is neutral, not sour, not bitter. The product is widely used in the food industry in the form of additives in bakery products, as well as as a separate dish used to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Bran is a valuable feed for cattle, pigs, horses and poultry.

Chemical composition, calorie content and BZHU

Bran low-calorie and healthy. Many are interested in whether they contain gluten - a reserve protein. The named element in the chemical composition is safe for most, but there are people with intolerance to this component. Therefore, it is important for them to know the full composition of the products that they eat.

As for the gluten content in oat bran, there are several opinions of scientists. Some believe that the protein in oats is not as bad as in wheat or rye. Moreover, many manufacturers of bran from oats do not include gluten in the composition indicated on the package. Therefore, people with intolerance to gluten-containing foods before using oat bran should consult a specialist.

Nutritional value and calorie content per 100 g of product:

• calorie content - 246 kcal .;
• proteins - 17.3 g;
• fats - 7 g;
• carbohydrates - 50.8 g;
• dietary fiber - 15.4 g;
• water - 7 g.

Benefits for the body

The use of bran in the prescribed daily allowance is beneficial for the body. An adult can eat from 30 to 50 g of the product in question per day. Bran is rich in B vitamins, therefore, by including them in the diet, a person can fix not only digestive problems, but also improve the state of the nervous system. Also, a high content of minerals helps to strengthen bone tissue, nails and hair follicles.

Women

Women often experience stress and, due to an active working day, cannot eat normally, which leads to insomnia and nervous tension. Therefore, they need to eat foods rich in B vitamins and minerals such as magnesium. Bran is an excellent source of nutrients.

Women carefully monitor their figure and often sit on exhausting diets that deplete the body. Only 20-30 g of oat bran per day are able to replenish the supply of minerals and due to the presence of such minerals as: zinc, calcium and iron, increase hemoglobin in the blood, strengthen immunity.

Men

A huge number of men suffer from such an ailment as hemorrhoids. Because of it, difficulty and pain in bowel movements can occur. The use of oat bran will help establish intestinal motility and gently eliminate constipation. The product also helps with a deficiency of vitamins and calcium, which can occur when working at a computer or with strong physical exertion.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding

When carrying a child, the expectant mother should receive all the necessary vitamins. Oat bran, eaten for breakfast, will provide energy and eliminate the hunger that is familiar to many pregnant women. The product is indispensable for constipation. Only 30 g of bran per day will gently cleanse the intestines, as well as rid the body of toxins.

Important! Do not abuse oat bran and eat them above normal during pregnancy. Increased intestinal motility caused by the intake of the product can tone the uterus and even provoke a miscarriage.

Due to the presence of B vitamins, magnesium, zinc and calcium, oat bran contribute to the proper formation and development of the fetus in the womb. After birth, the product can also be included in the diet. It will eliminate the feeling of hunger and replenish the supply of vitamins that a woman lost during the period of bearing a child.

For children

• Indications for the use of bran to children are the following conditions:
• constipation;
• lack of appetite;
• hemoglobin decrease;
• overweight;
• frequent SARS diseases.

Due to the content of calcium, magnesium, zinc in the bran, bone tissue, nails and hair are strengthened. Also, taking the product improves the condition of the nervous system. The richness of B vitamins will satisfactorily affect sleep and academic performance. Oat bran can be introduced into the baby's diet from 10 months. They are prepared in the form of a decoction.

For children of one year old, you can add bran to porridge or other dishes, starting with 2 g of the product. Gradually, the dose increases to 5 g per day, which is the permissible norm of use. Starting from the age of 3, the product is given in an amount of 10 g, and from 10 years of age - 15 g.

How to take with diseases

The described product is often used as adjunctive therapy for various diseases. For example, bran is used for gastritis and pancreatitis, and is widely used in folk medicine to get rid of such unpleasant phenomena as constipation and obesity.

With gastritis

The use of bran as an adjunct treatment is indicated only for gastritis with high acidity. With low acidity, long digestion of this product will create an undesirable strain on the stomach and worsen the general condition. The described product should be steamed. It can also be added to porridge, vegetable stew or soup.

Important! With gastritis, you can not use bran in a dry form, because they irritate the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract.

Preparation and use:

1. Bran 50 g, pour 100 ml of milk and 100 ml of water.
2. Put the mixture in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
3. Carefully move, after cooling, salt, add sugar or honey to taste.
4. The course of treatment is 2-3 weeks.

For cleansing the intestines

The product contains heavy carbohydrates that are slowly digested. Once in the stomach, they absorb toxins, salts and mucus. Thanks to this, the body is cleansed of toxins and cholesterol.

Important! During the purification period, you should drink plenty of water, at least 1.5 liters per day.

Preparation and use:

1. Bran 50 g, pour boiling water and put to infuse for 25 minutes.
2. Add 50 g of crushed prunes and 50 g of raisins.
3. The resulting mass is ground in a blender or meat grinder.
4. The mixture is consumed 60 g 3 times a day.
5. The course of admission is 14-21 days.

If a person can eat dry bran, then the following therapeutic cleansing is applied. Within 7 days in the morning, day and evening, before eating, you need to eat 5 g of the product. The next week, the dose of bran rises to 10 g at a time. The last 7 days you need to eat 15 g of product at a time.

For constipation

For constipation, bran is used in addition to other products. For example, with kefir, vegetables or dried fruits. You can also add them to soups or mix with cereals.

The easiest recipe for use:

1. In a glass container, steam 30 g of bran in 100 g of boiling water.
2. After an hour, the dish is ready for use, it is divided into 3 parts and consumed in the morning, afternoon and evening.
3. Treatment should last at least a month.

Recipe for bran with kefir:

1. The dish is prepared in the evening. Bran in the amount of 40 g must be filled with 200 ml of kefir.
2. In the morning, drink on an empty stomach.
3. The course of treatment should last 14 days.

Beetroot salad with bran:

1. Boil 200 g of beets, grate it on a fine grater.
2. Boil bran in an amount of 30 g in 100 ml of boiling water.
3. Mix all the ingredients and add salt, sunflower oil and herbs to taste.
4. Eat salad 3-4 times a week.

Bran broth with honey:

1. Boil 400 ml of water.
2. Put 120 g of bran in a separate container.
3. Pour boiling water over them and leave for 4 hours.
4. Strain and squeeze the resulting mixture.
5. The resulting broth is mixed with 50 g of honey.
6. Take 30 ml 3 times a day, continue the course of treatment for 30 days.

With pancreatitis

Treatment with bran from oats for pancreatitis should be only auxiliary. The use of the product during exacerbation of the disease is unacceptable. During its remission, bran can be steamed in small quantities. The dish will help get rid of frequent pain and eliminate the manifestations of dysbiosis, which often accompanies patients with pancreatitis.

Preparation and use:

1. In a glass container in 100 ml of boiling water, steam 20 g of bran.
2. After an hour of insisting, the resulting slurry should be consumed in small portions throughout the day.
3. The course of treatment is 21 days.

For the liver

Due to the presence of a large amount of fiber in the bran, cleansing the intestines and stimulation of the liver and gall bladder. Slow digestion helps to eliminate toxins that accumulate in the body due to malnutrition, alcohol and smoking. After a month of taking steamed bran from oats, a person will feel a surge of vigor. The complexion improves, the unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth, characteristic of abnormal liver function, disappears.

The use of oat bran:

1. In a cup with boiling water, a volume of 200 ml, steam 30 g of bran.
2. Take the mixture during the day in small portions for 30 days.

With diabetes

With diabetes, a person should choose food products more carefully and monitor weight. Therefore, it is necessary to include in the diet dishes containing a lot of fiber, which will not only lead to weight loss, but also cleanse blood vessels of cholesterol.

Preparation and use:

1. In 100 ml of boiled water, steam 40 g of oat bran.
2. The resulting slurry is consumed in a teaspoon 3 times a day.
3. Treatment should last a minimum of 21 days.

The use of bran in cosmetology

The described product is not only used in traditional medicine. He has proven himself in cosmetology. Natural masks can be made from oat bran to eliminate the problems of oily skin of the face and hair. Also, the product is a great way to cleanse the body of dead particles by scrubbing.

To cleanse the face

To cleanse the face of black spots and give the skin a beautiful shine, you can use a special mask from bran. It is easy to make at home.

The method of preparation and use of the mask to cleanse the skin of the face and neck:

1. Soften bran in an amount of 20 g with warm water until a uniform mass is obtained.
2. Apply the resulting slurry to cleansed face and neck.
3. With light, circular motions, rub the substance into the epithelium for 2-3 minutes.
4. Rinse with warm water, dab your face with a napkin or towel.
5. The procedure is carried out 3 times a week.

Nutrition for the whole body

The body, like the face, needs nourishment and hydration. In order for the skin to become soft and silky, 2 times a week it is necessary to take baths with infusion of oat bran.

Preparation and use:

1. In 400 ml of boiling water, steam 100 g of bran for an hour.
2. Strain the resulting mixture and squeeze.
3. Add infusion to the bathing bath.

Face peeling

In order to peel the skin of the face, it is necessary to choose bran finely ground. They can be mixed in a foam for washing or liquid soap. Apply gently in circular motions to the skin of the face and neck, rinse with warm water. The effect of such washing will be noticeable the first time, because the epithelium will become more elastic, small wrinkles will be smoothed out. Peeling also copes with such a problem as black dots. The procedure is carried out 3 times a week before bedtime.

For oily skin

To refresh and eliminate the oily sheen of the skin of the face, use a mask with lemon and oat bran.

To make it, you need:

• lemon juice - 20 ml;
• bran - 20 g;
• water - 50 ml.

Preparation and use:

1. Boil bran in boiling water for 30 minutes.
2. Add the lemon juice to the pulp.
3. Apply the resulting mask to the face for 15 minutes, avoiding the area around the eyes.
4. The procedure is carried out 2 times a week.

For hair

Hair is the property of any woman. To make them look smooth and silky, they use a decoction of oat bran.

Preparation and use:

1. Boil oat bran 200 g in 400 ml of water for 10 minutes.
2. Cool the resulting substance and boil again for 5 minutes.
3. After cooling to a temperature of + 37 ° C, strain and apply to the scalp and the entire length of the hair.
4. Wrap your head in a towel and wait 30 minutes.
5. Wash off with warm water.
6. The procedure is repeated 2 times a week.

Possible harm and contraindications

• Contraindications to taking bran are:
• pathology of the liver and kidneys;
• periods of exacerbation of gastritis and pancreatitis;
• personal intolerance to any of the components that make up bran.

Harmful to the body when using the product can be caused if the daily intake is exceeded, which, as mentioned above, is 30-50 g per day

• After eating a large number of bran, the following symptoms may be observed:
• nausea;
• heaviness in the stomach;
• vomiting
• diarrhea;
• dizziness.

How to choose when buying

When buying in factory packaging, you should pay attention to how much and how the product is stored. If bran is bought by weight, you need to look at their consistency. They should be crumbly, without lumps. The aroma is neutral, the smell of mold or other impurities is unacceptable.

How to store

The expiration date of bran is 10 months from the date of their release. It is necessary to store the product in a cabinet closed from direct sunlight. It is better to pour bran into a glass jar and cover with a lid. Storage is carried out at a temperature not exceeding + 20 ° С and humidity not higher than 75%.

Did you know? Steamed oatmeal in milk perfectly copes with the effects of sunburn.

What is the difference from oatmeal

Do not confuse oat bran with cereal, because there is a big difference between them. In fact, these are two completely different products from each other. In order to get porridge from oat grains, they are dried, steamed and cleaned of chaff. Such a product is used for making breakfast, flour is made from it, and it is also used for cosmetic purposes.

Bran is a by-product of grain processing, which is its hard shell.

The described product is very useful for various diseases of the stomach. Its vitamin and mineral composition helps not only cleanse the body of toxins, but also maintain the body in a normal weight, which is so important in modern society.