Oat bread is typically made from a combination of oats, whole-wheat flour, yeast, water, and salt.

Since oats are highly nutritious and linked to a number of health benefits, oat bread can be a healthy choice.

In particular, oats are high in fiber and beneficial nutrients, including magnesium, vitamin B1 (thiamine), iron, and zinc. The fiber in oats, known as beta-glucan, may help lower cholesterol levels, regulate blood sugar, and decrease high blood pressure.

A review of 28 studies found that eating 3 grams or more of oat beta-glucan per day significantly decreased LDL (bad) and total cholesterol levels compared to not eating oats.

The study also found that the cholesterol-lowering effects of beta-glucan in oats were greater in people with higher baseline cholesterol levels.

However, just because a bread has “oats” or “oatmeal” on its label doesn’t mean that it’s healthy. Some oat breads only have a small amount of oats and are mostly made of refined flours, added sugars, and oils.

To find a more nutritious oat bread, look for one that lists oats and whole-wheat flour as the first two ingredients.

One slice (48 grams) of whole-grain oat bread contains (21):

Calories: 130
Protein: 6 grams
Fat: 1.5 grams
Carbs: 23 grams
Fiber: 4 grams

Oat bread made from oats and whole-grain flour boasts the fiber beta-glucan, which may help lower cholesterol and has been linked to a number of health benefits.