The word porridge comes from the English and means oatmeal. In the USA, oatmeal is also called oatmeal. Porridge, which is also known as oatmeal, originally comes from Scotland. In the Scottish Highlands it is called ‘brochan’.
Nowadays, porridge is known everywhere and is eaten in many different variations. In this article you will learn more about the history of porridge, why porridge is so popular and healthy and you will learn more about the variety of this delicious oat porridge.
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What exactly is porridge?
Porridge is a cereal dish made from oat flakes or oat flour and is mixed with water or milk. However, you can also combine water and milk. If the oat porridge is heavily diluted, it is referred to as oat soup.
The strained porridge that results after cooking the nutritious oat flakes is called oat gruel. The popular oatmeal has a creamy consistency. You are welcome to refine it with toppings such as nuts, chia seeds or fresh fruit.
The history of oats and how porridge came about
Now for the history of porridge: it goes back about 12,000 years, when humans developed from nomadic hunters and gatherers to settled farmers. The grain was further processed and mixed into a porridge, which is what we know today as porridge.
But the grain was not only processed into porridge. People also thickened the porridge and baked it in flat cakes or bricks on hot stones or in the embers of a fire.
This extended the shelf life of the oats and made them easier to transport. The development from ‘porridge to bread’ spread quickly and was implemented on all continents.
Why are oats so healthy in porridge?
Oats are one of the healthiest foods. The flakes offer more nutrients than other types of grain. They are good for the intestinal flora. They are also low in gluten. Oats contain many important vitamins, minerals, fibres and antioxidants, which supply our body with a lot of energy, especially in the morning.
Thanks to the fibre in oats, you stay full for longer and do something good for your gastrointestinal tract. Regular consumption of porridge also lowers blood sugar and cholesterol levels. This is due to the soluble fibre beta-glucan.
What ingredients does porridge contain?
Porridge contains biotin or zinc, which are important for the metabolism. Porridge also provides a lot of plant-based iron and magnesium, which is essential for the body. Oats are low in gluten and have many important vitamins, minerals, fibres (especially magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc) and antioxidants. They are also a good source of protein, which athletes and vegans like to fall back on.
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What are the health benefits of oats?
Oat porridge can help you lose weight. In the morning, this healthy breakfast lowers your blood sugar level and fills your stomach with fibre. This guarantees that you stay full until lunch and prevents hunger pangs. The flakes are therefore also suitable for type 2 diabetics.
Oats can improve insulin sensitivity. This is due to the dietary fibre beta-glucan. This substance ensures that the stomach empties slowly. As a result, not as much glucose is absorbed into the blood.
Porridge can also help with the chronic illness asthma. It is possible to prevent asthma in children if they are given porridge before the age of six months.
Porridge contains numerous antioxidants and polyphenols, including avenanthramides. This antioxidant can lower blood pressure by producing more nitric oxide. Nitric oxide dilates blood vessels and improves blood flow. Avenanthramides can also inhibit inflammation and itching. In general, antioxidants protect the body from the early aging of tissues.
Oats can also help to prevent cancer. This is because oats contain cytokines, which regulate cell growth. This helps to prevent arterial inflammation and, in turn, atherosclerosis.
Can I only eat porridge for breakfast?
Porridge is not just for breakfast. You can also have it for lunch or dinner. Thanks to its numerous nutrients, porridge can replace a complete meal. But porridge doesn't have to be boring! You can refine and spice up your oatmeal with lots of spices, fruits, berries, nuts or seeds.
Porridge variety – how can I prepare and enjoy porridge?
Porridge is quick to prepare. The oatmeal gruel, which usually consists of oats and water or milk, is heated on the stove. According to the original Scottish recipe, the pure oatmeal is refined with just a pinch of salt.
If you don't have much time, you can prepare the porridge in the microwave. It usually takes just three minutes. You can also enjoy porridge cold, for example as ‘overnight oats’. To do this, leave the oats mixed with a liquid of your choice overnight. The oats will swell up and develop their full flavour.
Not only the toppings nuts, chia seeds or fresh fruit are suitable for a healthy breakfast. The porridge can also be refined with cheese or egg. In any case, there is something for everyone, whether you like your food sweet or savoury.
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