What Are The Health Benefits Of Sourdough Bread?
Sourdough bread is a lot like marmite or blue cheese, it is an acquired taste. But, those in the Sourdough Bread Community love it and revel in its taste and health benefits.
Not all carbs are created equally, and some nutritious whole grains such as sourdough bread deserve to get a lot more of our attention than they currently do. There are plenty of bread types that are packed with amazing nutritional value, and it turns out that sourdough bread is one of these.
The Nutritional Value Of Sourdough Bread
It does not matter if you make sourdough bread yourself, or buy it, it does have a very impressive nutritional value profile. Note, a majority of sourdough bread is not made with whole grain flour, but whole wheat can be used if you make it at home.
Let’s look at what nutrients this bread packs per slice on average.
- 84 k/cal
- 3 grams of protein.
- 16 grams of carbohydrates.
- 0.75 grams of fat.
- 7% DV for iron.
- 1 gram of fiber.
- 10% DV for folate.
How this bread is set apart from others is in its fermentation process, it is made by fermenting the flour and water instead of adding yeast to make a leaven.
Health Benefits
Now that we understand sourdough bread on a nutritional level, let’s take a look at what it can do for your health!
#1. Great Gut Health
Firstly, the process of fermenting sourdough bread means that this bread naturally comes with an increase in probiotic and prebiotic properties. This can aid in gut health substantially, or at least this is according to a study done in the ‘Microorganisms journal in a 2021 review.
When looking to buy sourdough bread, you should look for a type made with whole grains, as this will provide you with more fiber, which helps the bread to be extra gut-friendly!
#2. Healthier Digestion
While sourdough bread is certainly not gluten-free, it has been found that consuming sourdough bread could help the body digest gluten better. How it is fermented alters the enzymes in wheat, which could aid in counteracting any reactions to gluten that could be considered adverse.
It is still too early to recommend this bread to anyone with celiac disease, but those who are only sensitive to gluten could speak with their healthcare providers about the possibility of including sourdough bread in their diets.
#3. Healthier Aging
Whole grains, such as bread and sourdough bread are part of a staple Mediterranean diet. This is a diet that is well known for healthier aging, longevity, and good nutrition.
Research also states that sourdough bread could well be a critical food in helping to promote healthy aging. A review in the journal ‘Nutrients’ in 2019 stated that fermented grain-focused products, with sourdough being one of these, also have anti-hypersensitive, antioxidant, and anti-diabetic properties, as well as also having FODMAP reducing qualities as well!
#4. Aids In Keeping Your Blood Sugar Levels Healthy
When you eat carbs this will automatically raise your blood sugar levels as the carbs get digested. However, rapidly dropping and rising spikes can increase the risk of chronic illnesses, including diabetes.
These spikes come from eating simple types of carbohydrates, such as refined grains, or sugar. This is especially true when they are not paired with fats or proteins, which are nutrients that can help your body to slow down the digestive process.
Food will affect your blood sugar levels all the time, and this is recorded as a glycemic index or glycemic load. The glycemic index is a reference to how much your blood glucose can rise within 2 hours of you consuming said food.
Alternatively, glycemic load is an indication of how fast the blood sugar spike happens.
Sourdough bread has a very low glycemic index and a lower glycemic load in comparison to whole-heat bread and white bread, which is not fermented.
The sourdough bread that is highest in fiber will also be whole-wheat sourdough, and this can also lower the strain that is put on your blood glucose levels as well.
This means that choosing to eat sourdough bread instead of other bread can do your body wonders, especially in keeping your blood sugar in check!
Overall
Sourdough bread is delicious, it may be an acquired taste, but it is delicious and it has much to offer for those willing to give it a try. It can help your digestive system a great deal, helps you age healthier, and keeps your blood sugar in check!
