A systematic review of the effects of oats consumption on gastrointestinal health

Journal of Nutrition, Volume 151, Issue 10, October 2021, Pages 3075-3090, https: //doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxab245

Commentary

This research review will investigate the association between oat intake, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, and microbial community changes in people with celiac disease (CeD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and those without GI disease.

Four databases and GoogleScholar were systematically searched from inception through April 29, 2021. Clinical trials, observational studies, and invitro studies using human gut-derived samples were included.

The results included 84 articles, showing that oats consumption increased total bacterial counts, Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp.

Concentrations of short-chain fatty acids increased and intestinal permeability improved with oats consumption, but no significant differences in quality of life were observed, and consumption of certain types of oats was associated with worsening GI symptoms in those with CeD.

None reported on IBS, and only three studies reported on IBD.

The quality of the RCTs showed some concern, mainly in the area of randomization (73.9%), but the quality of evidence from non-RCT, observational, and invitro studies was satisfactory.

They concluded that oats consumption for those without gastrointestinal disease and those with CeD was associated with an increase in beneficial bacterial populations.