Beneficial effects of oats in the gluten-free diet of adults with special reference to nutrient status, symptoms and subjective experiences

• Published in: British journal of nutrition Vol. 90; no. 1; pp. 101 - 107
• Main Authors: Størsrud, Stine, Hulthén, Lena R., Lenner, Ragnhild A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.07.2003
• Subjects: administration & dosage; Adult; Adults; Avena; Barley; Bioavailability; Biological and medical sciences; Biological Availability; blood chemistry; Body weight; Celiac disease; Celiac Disease - diet therapy; Coeliac disease; Compliance; Diet; diet therapy; Dietary fiber; Dietary Fiber - administration & dosage; Dietary minerals; Diseases of the digestive system; flatulence; flavor; Food; food intake; Gluten; Gluten-free diet; human diseases; Humans; Investigations; iron; Iron - metabolism; Iron bioavailability; Medical sciences; metabolism; mineral metabolism; nutrient availability; Nutrient status; Nutrition research; nutritional intervention; Nutritional Status; Nutritive value; Oats; Patient Satisfaction; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); satiety; Statistics, Nonparametric; thiamin; Vitamins; zinc; Sweden; Europe; Gluten-free diet; Oats; Coeliac disease; Iron bioavailability; Nutritional status; Human; Immunopathology; Oat; Digestive system; Coeliac disease: Oats: Gluten-free diet: Nutritional status: Iron bioavailability; Iron; Bioavailability; Inorganic element; Feeding; Micronutrient; Symptomatology; Diet therapy; Diet; Intestinal malabsorption; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Adult; Gluten
• ISSN: 0007-1145; 1475-2662
• DOI: 10.1079/BJN2003872

In several studies oats have been reported to be tolerated by coeliac patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the nutritional and symptomatic effects of including oats in the gluten-free diet, as well as the patients' subjective experiences. Twenty adult coeliac patients included large amounts of oats in their diet. Food intake, gastrointestinal symptoms, blood samples and body weight were examined and compared with examination at baseline. Diet compliance was checked monthly. The results are based on fifteen patients eating oats for 2 years plus three with only 6-months consumption. The median daily intake of oats was 93 (range 27–137) g/d, and the compliance was good. The mean intakes of Fe and dietary fibre increased (P<0·001) with the oat diet, as well as the intakes of thiamin and Zn (P<0·02). The bioavailability of Fe tended to decrease; this seems not to have influenced the Fe status. Temporary increased flatulence was experienced the first few weeks, as well as improved bowel function with oats in the diet. All patients who carried out the whole study period wanted to continue eating oats after the study, as they found that addition of oats in the gluten-free diet gave more variation, better taste and satiety. Oats improved the nutritional value of the gluten-free diet, had no negative effects on nutritional status and were appreciated by the subjects. Including oats can help coeliac patients following a strict gluten-free diet.