Everyone knows that a bowl full of hearty oats is better for you than a greasy fry-up.
Whilst sachets of instant porridge have been exposed for their high sugar and salt content, the natural stuff is still hailed by experts for being pretty darn healthy.
But porridge might be even better than you thought, with one professor revealing why it’s frequently credited for lowering cholesterol, extending lifespan, preventing cancer and boosting immunity.
One bowl of porridge offers more fibre than a slice of wholemeal bread and is rich in minerals including copper, iron and manganese.
It’s also been proven to prevent blood sugar spikes, due to the low glycemic index of oats.
However, it’s the soluble fibre in porridge that is the real secret to boosting its impressive health credentials, Chris Seal, professor of food and human nutrition at Newcastle University told the Mail Online.
Not only does this type of fibre, known as beta glucan, form a thick gel-like substance in the gut once digested, makes you feel fuller sooner, but it's also the reason why porridge helps to balance your immune system, lower your cholesterol and help fight cancer, Seal explains.
Plus, studies have credited regular consumption of this form of fibre with lowering the risk of obesity and speeding up your metabolism, thanks to its beneficial role in insulin resistance and hypertension.
It can also be taken as a supplement and is often prescribed to those suffering from diabetes and asthma.
However, it is found naturally-occurring in a wide-range of foods such as mushrooms and seaweed; oats contain the highest amount.
Meet you at the porridge cafe, because it’s 2017 and that’s a thing now.