evidence: In other words, all kinds of oatmeal are healthy, experts say—with some caveats. "Based on the existing evidence, eating whole grain oats is definitely good for our health," says Shengmin Sang, a professor of food science and human health at North Carolina A&T State University who has examined the nutritional properties of oats. "Eating whole grain oats can prevent diabetes and lower cholesterol levels, which could prevent cardiovascular disease." Some studies show that oats have anti-inflammatory effects, Sang says, "which could prevent inflammation related to chronic disease." [...] Those concerns aside, pretty much everyone agrees that eating oatmeal—assuming you’re opting for a type free of sugar and other unhealthy additives—is a good idea. "Whole grains are beneficial and healthy foods, and I can say that oatmeal is definitely beneficial," says Qi Sun, an assistant professor of nutrition at Harvard, citing both his past research on whole grains and also some soon-to-be-published work he’s done on oatmeal. "Eating oatmeal for breakfast is a good choice."