As men and women reach 45 and 55, their risk of heart disease spikes dramatically. Therefore, you should make sure your diet includes as many cholesterol-lowering foods as possible. Beta glucan, a type of soluble fiber found in oats, is great for this purpose. As cholesterol passes through your body after digestion, soluble fiber binds with it and helps it pass out.
For a 5-10% reduction in total and LDL cholesterol, aim for at least 3 grams of beta glucan per day. It's worth it - people who eat a lot of oats have a lower risk of early death than people who don't. With oats being such an affordable staple, you have no excuse not to start eating them!
