Shanyin Oats

Shanyin Oats

　　Shanyin oats are a specialty of Shanyin County, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province. Shanyin oats are a distinctive local crop in Shanyin, where they are known as "youmai."

　　Shanyin oats are a unique local crop. Oats, also called bird's wheat or wild wheat, belong to the subfamily Pooideae and the genus Avena. Oats are generally divided into two main types: hulled and naked. The oats cultivated around the world are mostly hulled, commonly referred to as covered oats. In China, the majority of cultivated oats are naked, often called naked oats. Naked oats go by many names: in North China, they are called youmai; in Northwest China, yumi; in Southwest China, they are called oats or sometimes youmai; and in Northeast China, lingdangmai.

　　In Shanyin, they are called youmai. In terms of economic value among the nine staple grains commonly consumed by people in China—such as wheat, rice, and corn—oats rank the highest, mainly due to their superior nutritional, health care, and feed values.

　　① High Nutritional Value. According to a comprehensive analysis by the Institute of Hygiene at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China’s naked oats contain 15.6% crude protein and 8.5% fat, along with starch that releases energy, as well as elements such as phosphorus, iron, and calcium—all ranking among the top compared to the other eight grains. The water-soluble dietary fiber in oats is 4.7 times that of wheat and 7.7 times that of corn. Oats are also rich in B vitamins, niacin, folic acid, and pantothenic acid, especially vitamin E, which reaches up to 15 milligrams per 100 grams of oat flour. Additionally, oat flour contains saponins (a main component of ginseng), which are absent in other cereal grains. The amino acid composition of its protein is relatively comprehensive, with all eight essential amino acids for humans ranking the highest, particularly lysine, which amounts to 0.68 grams.

　　② High Medical and Health Value. The medical and health benefits of oats have been recognized by the medical community both in China and abroad throughout history. According to animal experiments conducted over five rounds and clinical observations involving 997 cases across three rounds by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in collaboration with 18 medical institutions—including the Beijing Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Research Center and Haidian Hospital in Beijing—from 1981 to 1985, naked oats can prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases caused by high blood lipids. That is, consuming 100 grams of naked oatmeal daily for three months can significantly reduce cholesterol, triglycerides, and β-lipoprotein in the cardiovascular system and liver, with an overall effectiveness rate of 87.2%. Its therapeutic effect is not significantly different from that of Guanxiping (a heart medication), and it has no side effects. It also shows similarly significant efficacy for secondary hyperlipidemia caused by liver or kidney disease, diabetes, fatty liver, and other conditions. Long-term consumption of oatmeal helps in the management of diabetes and obesity.

　　③ High Feed Value. Oat leaves and straw are juicy, tender, and palatable. According to the book "Animal Husbandry Feeding Science," the naked oat straw contains 5.2% crude protein, 2.2% crude fat, and 44.6% nitrogen-free extractives—all higher than those found in grain straw, wheat straw, and corn stalks. Its indigestible fiber is 28.2%, which is 4.9% to 16.4% lower than that of wheat, corn, and millet stalks, making it one of the best types of forage. Its seeds are also high-quality feed for young livestock, old livestock, sick animals, working livestock, as well as poultry such as chickens and pigs.

　　Oats — Nutritional Supplement and Appetite Control. Nutrition expert Professor Chen explains that oats, as an ancient grain crop, grow in cold high-altitude regions between 1,000 and 2,700 meters above sea level and are characterized by high protein and low carbohydrates. At the same time, oats are rich in soluble and insoluble fibers, which can absorb large amounts of cholesterol in the human body and expel it, aligning with the modern dietary philosophy of "embracing coarser foods." Moreover, oats contain highly viscous soluble fiber, which can delay gastric emptying, increase satiety, and help control appetite.

　　Shanyin enjoys geographical advantages, and in recent years, as people pursue healthier lifestyles, they have become more discerning about their food choices. Oats are an ideal healthy food option.