Organic Oatstraw
Also known as: Oatstraw, green oat extract, oat straw extract, Avena sativa
Overview
Organic oatstraw, derived from the stems and leaves of the *Avena sativa* plant harvested before seed ripening, is a botanical supplement primarily used for cognitive enhancement, mood improvement, stress relief, and cardiovascular health support. It contains bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, saponins, and phenolic acids, which are believed to contribute to its effects. While often marketed for brain function and anti-inflammatory properties, the research maturity for oatstraw specifically is moderate. Some human randomized controlled trials (RCTs) exist, particularly for cognitive benefits, but systematic reviews are limited. Evidence quality is mixed; some RCTs show promising cognitive benefits, but sample sizes are often small. Cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory benefits are better documented for oat grain products rather than oatstraw extract itself, indicating a distinction in the evidence base between the whole grain and the specific extract.
Benefits
Oatstraw has shown some evidence of benefit, particularly in cognitive function. Acute administration of 800 mg of green oat extract has been observed to improve reaction times and cognitive performance in middle-aged adults with mild memory impairment, with statistically significant reductions in reaction times (p<0.05) in one RCT. However, a 12-week RCT in healthy adults showed no significant cognitive benefit, suggesting its effects might be more pronounced in specific populations or for acute use. For mood and stress, animal studies suggest potential anxiolytic effects via PDE4 inhibition and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, but human evidence is currently lacking or inconclusive. Regarding cardiovascular health, systematic reviews and meta-analyses primarily on oat grain products (not specifically oatstraw) indicate reductions in total cholesterol (TC) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C). The evidence for oatstraw's direct impact on cardiovascular markers is less clear. Similarly, for anti-inflammatory effects, evidence for oatstraw is limited and inconclusive; while oat grain consumption may reduce some inflammatory markers, heterogeneity and small sample sizes limit definitive conclusions for the extract.
How it works
Oatstraw's mechanism of action for cognitive effects may involve modulating neural resource optimization and cognitive processing speed. This is possibly mediated by flavonoids, which can offer neuroprotection and modulate neurotransmitter systems. For mood regulation, potential PDE4 inhibition by oatstraw components could reduce proinflammatory cytokines and modulate immune cell signaling, thereby influencing stress responses. In terms of cardiovascular effects, while beta-glucans in oat grain are known to reduce cholesterol absorption, oatstraw's contribution is less clear, though it may share some bioactive compounds with the grain. Any anti-inflammatory effects could also contribute to cardiovascular benefits. The bioavailability of oatstraw depends on the extract standardization, with acute effects suggesting rapid absorption and central nervous system activity.
Side effects
Organic oatstraw is generally regarded as safe, with no major adverse events consistently reported in clinical trials. Common side effects are not frequently observed, with no reports exceeding 5% in studies. Uncommon or rare side effects have also not been significantly reported in human trials. Regarding drug interactions, there are no well-documented interactions; however, caution is advised with anticoagulants due to the potential for mild blood-thinning effects from some oat components. Contraindications include known allergy to oats or concerns regarding gluten contamination for individuals with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity, as some oat products may be cross-contaminated. Data on the safety and efficacy in special populations, such as pregnant or lactating women, children, or severely ill patients, are limited, and its use in these groups should be approached with caution and medical supervision.
Dosage
For cognitive benefits, an acute administration of 800 mg of green oat extract has shown positive effects in middle-aged adults with mild memory impairment. However, another study using 1,500 mg daily for 12 weeks in healthy adults did not observe cognitive benefits. Based on limited studies, an optimal range for cognitive effects is suggested to be 800–1,600 mg daily. The maximum safe dose for oatstraw is not well established, but no toxicity has been reported at the doses studied. For cognitive effects, acute administration has shown more clear benefits than chronic supplementation, where effects are less clear. The preferred form for cognitive studies is a standardized green oat extract. Bioavailability may be enhanced when taken with food, and extract standardization is critical for consistent effects. No specific cofactors are required for its efficacy.
FAQs
Does oatstraw improve brain function?
Some evidence suggests acute cognitive enhancement, particularly in middle-aged adults with mild memory impairment, but not consistently in healthy adults.
Is it safe?
Yes, oatstraw is generally considered safe with minimal side effects reported in clinical trials.
How long does it take to see effects?
Acute cognitive effects have been observed within hours of administration, but long-term benefits are not yet clearly established.
Can it reduce cholesterol?
While oat grain products are known to reduce LDL-C and total cholesterol, specific evidence for oatstraw extract's effect on cholesterol is lacking.
Is it anti-inflammatory?
Evidence for oatstraw's anti-inflammatory properties is inconclusive; however, oat grain consumption may reduce some inflammatory markers.
Research Sources
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2021.748188/full – This RCT investigated the acute effects of Neuravena green oat extract on cognitive performance in middle-aged adults with mild memory impairment. It found significant improvements in reaction time and cognitive performance, suggesting a potential benefit for acute cognitive enhancement in this population.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8429797/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of oat intake on inflammation. It concluded that there is insufficient evidence to definitively state that oat intake reduces inflammation, despite some qualitative reductions observed in markers like CRP and IL-6, due to heterogeneity and limited data.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34977959/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the impact of oat supplementation on cardiovascular disease risk factors. It found that oat products effectively reduce total cholesterol and LDL-C, but noted limited specific data for oatstraw extract compared to whole oat grain.
- https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2024/fo/d3fo04394k – This systematic review and meta-analysis focused on the role of oats in dyslipidemia. It confirmed that oat-based products significantly reduce total cholesterol and LDL-C in patients with dyslipidemia, but emphasized that the findings primarily pertain to oat grain rather than oatstraw extract.