Oats n Raisin Muffins

Oats n Raisin Muffins

I put together these muffins from a bit of leftovers. I had some fresh cream, an overripe banana, an apple and some walnuts that were getting a little soggy. I dumped some rolled oats into the cream. I added some fresh coconut for flavour and kept it in the freezer overnight. At this stage, I had planned to make coconut cake. 
I mashed the banana, cut the apples into small pieces, added the other ingredients and got the mix ready. By now, I was still deciding between cake and cookies. 
Finally, it was the time factor that decided it for me. I realized the quickest would be muffins. So out came my muffin tray and the rest is there in front of you. The result was a tasty, nutritious snack. It could even be your breakfast cereal when you are in a rush. You have to try out this. Have fun!

Ingredients

Rolled Oats - 1 cup
Wholewheat flour - 1/4 cup
Fresh cream - 1/2 cup
Fresh Coconut (grated) - 1/2 cup
Baking powder - 1/2 tsp
Baking soda - 1/2 tsp
Coconut oil - 2 tbsp
Egg - 1
Jaggery (powder) - 1/2 cup (increase or decrease according to taste)
Cinnamon powder - pinch
Banana (overripe) - 1
Walnut (pieces) - 1/4 cup
Apple (small pieces) - 1/2 cup
Raisins - 1/4 cup 
Chocolate chips - 1/4 cup

Method
Mix oats, coconut and fresh cream
Keep in the frig overnight
Add baking powder and soda and mix well

Mash the banana

Add an egg and beat them well together
Add it to the oats mixture
Add wholewheat flour, jaggery, cinnamon powder and oil
Mix well
Add raisins, chocolate chips, apple and walnut pieces and mix well
Scoop into a muffin tray and bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees C for about 12 to 15 mins
Check with a knife pierced into the centre

Health Benefits of Oats

Good source of carbs and fiber, especially beta-glucan which lowers LDL cholesterol and helps in weight loss

Loaded with vitamins B1 (thiamin), Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B3 (niacin) and folate

Rich in minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc

Also has small amounts of calcium, potassium

Antioxidant rich especially a unique group of antioxidants called avenanthramides
Avenanthramides have anti-inflammatory properties and also lower BP
Another antioxidant Ferulic acid is also found in large amounts in oats
Rich in resistant starch

Health Benefits of Coconut

Contains the saturated fatty acid - lauric acid – which increases HDL (good cholesterol) levels in the blood

Excellent source of minerals like copper, calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium and zinc

Very good source of B-complex vitamins like folates, riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, and pyridoxine

Contains good amount of potassium

Resistant Starch
A major portion of our diet is made up of starch. Starches are long chains of glucose found in grains, potatoes and various foods. But not all the starch we eat gets digested. Sometimes a small part of it passes through the digestive tract unchanged. It is resistant to digestion and goes through the stomach and small intestine undigested. Eventually it reaches the colon (large intestine) where it feeds the friendly bacteria. This has a positive effect on the bacteria as well as on their number. This also does wonders for your health.

This type of starch is called Resistant Starch. It works like soluble, fermentable fiber. When the bacteria in our digestive system digest resistant starches, they form several compounds, including gases and short-chain fatty acids, especially a beneficial fatty acid called Butyrate. Resistant Starch appears to increase butyrate production more when compared with other soluble fibers.

Butyrate is the preferred energy source of the cells lining the colon. Butyrate has beneficial effects on the colon and overall health. It maintains the colon lining and is believed to prevent colon cancer. It also helps to increase metabolism, decrease inflammation and improve stress resistance.

Potential benefits of Resistant Starch

Improved blood fats

May help to lower blood cholesterol and fats while also decreasing the production of new fat cells

Can increase the amount of fat we utilize for energy.

Better Satiety

Can help us feel full by triggering the release of hormones that reduce the drive to eat. After someone starts eating more RS, it may take up to one year for gut hormones to adapt.

Slows down the amount of nutrients released into the bloodstream, which stabilizes appetite

Better Insulin Sensitivity

It doesn’t digest into blood sugar, so less insulin release

Lowered blood sugar levels

Might improve insulin sensitivity

Improved Digestion

May help alleviate irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulitis, constipation and ulcerative colitis

Can add bulk and water to stool, helping in regular bowel movements

Can prevent development of abnormal bacterial cells in the colon and enhance mineral absorption (especially calcium).

Better Body Composition

Since Resistant Starch has less energy (calories) per gram than other starches, it can help us eat less.

Improved immunity

Can influence the production of immune cells

Health Benefits of Jaggery

Excellent source of iron

Cleanses the liver

Prevents premenstrual syndrome

Has antioxidants - zinc and selenium which boost immunity