Avena sativa
Rolled oats are present on the breakfast table of several parts of Brazil, in granola recipes, smoothies, breads, porridges, or just mixed with mashed banana. In Brazil, the largest producer in Latin America, the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná account for most of the crop, Mato Grosso do Sul comes third. In 2000, oats entered the list of “functional foods” recognized by Anvisa (Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency), i.e., foods that “in addition to the basic nutritional functions, are beneficial to health when consumed as part of a regular diet”. Among its nutrients is beta-glucan (soluble fiber), which helps reduce cholesterol.
