Avenanthramides

Oat avenanthramides are a group of diphenolic acids found only in oats. Although oat consumption is much lower than that of wheat and rice, it has gained more and more attention due to its numerous health benefits. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) events of xenobiotics are widely studied in toxicology, nutrition, and pharmacology. The phytochemicals contained in food or beverages go through several steps in the body after oral indigestion and dissolution in the gut fluids, including ADME. Antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and antiproliferative effects have been proven, revealing its great potential to alleviate chronic diseases and sports injury. Although health benefits have been shown in vitro and in vivo, more epidemiologic or interventional studies should be carried out to further substantiate these effects. Increasing oat consumption therefore not only provides health benefits but also has an economic impact with the potential to increase production and export.