Improved Digestive Health Sourdough bread may be easier to digest than white bread for some people. According to some studies, sourdough bread acts as a prebiotic, which means that the fiber in the bread helps feed the “good” bacteria in your intestines.
Sourdough. You can't go wrong with sourdough, especially when you're sticking to a gut-healthy diet. When it comes to all-natural foods that support gut health, nearly all fermented foods are excellent. During the process of fermentation, good-for-you bacteria known as probiotics are formed.
Sourdough bread contains lactic acid, which can help reduce inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation can lead to a variety of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Adding sourdough bread to your diet can help reduce inflammation and promote overall health.
May be easier to digest
Traditional sourdough undergoes a slow fermentation process, the result of which is an increase in the bioavailability of the bread's vitamins and minerals. This process also starts the breakdown of protein (including gluten), making sourdough easier to digest.
Scientists, nutritionists, and health experts all agree that naturally-fermented sourdough bread is healthier than 'regular' white or whole wheat bread – for a multitude of reasons! Sourdough is more nutritious, easier to digest, and has a lower glycemic index. Sourdough also contains less gluten than other bread.
It's nutritious.
Sourdough contains a variety of vitamins and nutrients, making it super beneficial to your day-to-day health.
The most common reaction to fermented foods is a temporary increase in gas and bloating. This is the result of excess gas being produced after probiotics kill harmful gut bacteria and fungi. Probiotics secrete antiomicrobial peptides that kill harmful pathogenic organisms like Salmonella and E. Coli.
If the only FODMAP that seems to be an issue if wheat, sourdough bread may be a good option to switching to. Although this is a bread that still contain wheat is has a much lower fructan/FODMAP content and often causes less bloating after people eat it.
Like most things, if you eat too much sourdough bread it can make you very gassy. However, in comparison to yeast leavened breads and store bought white breads, sourdough bread should actually help you to fart less!
The Arthritis Foundation lists rye bread and millet as two varieties that work well for anti-inflammatory diets. Rye bread is anti-inflammatory because it is high in fiber, which slows the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. Millet is also nutrient rich and full of fiber (plus, it's naturally gluten-free).
If you're a fan of whole grains and wonder which you should choose to include as a part of an anti-inflammatory diet, there's no wrong choice! Oatmeal, brown rice, whole grain wheat bread, barley, buckwheat, bulgur and millet are all exceptional options.
“Yogurt is associated with decreased inflammation, decreased insulin resistance and it may prevent type 2 diabetes,” Dr. Hu says. Nutrition researchers believe yogurt's anti-inflammatory power comes from the probiotics it contains, but that has yet to be confirmed with rigorous trials, he says.
A simple switch you can make for consistent long-term intestinal health is buying whole-grain bread rather than white. White bread is made with refined white flour, which can worsen constipation. 100% whole grain bread is high in dietary fiber, and fiber carries water straight to your stool to soften it.
The Hidden Benefits of Sourdough Bread
Similar to other fermented foods such as sauerkraut , kefir and pickles, sourdough bread is fermented by using lactobacillus cultures, which are gut-healthy probiotics .
In one study, people on a lower-calorie diet that included whole grains, such as whole wheat bread, lost more belly fat than those who ate only refined grains, such as white bread and white rice. Whole grains provide more vitamins, minerals, and fiber than refined.
Yes, sourdough contains the gut-friendly lactobacillus bacteria, but the high heat of baking destroys these probiotics. So, unless you'd like to eat the raw dough, sourdough is not a probiotic food. However, it does have some digestive benefits.
Sourdough is a low-gluten bread. It also contains lower levels of fructans, another substance that can cause unpleasant digestive symptoms in some people. This can make sourdough a better option for people with IBS, gluten intolerance or gluten sensitivity.
Sourdough is easier on the stomach than other kinds of bread due to its prebiotics, making it easier to digest. Additionally, sourdough contains probiotics that are created during its fermentation process: Yes, there's a science to sourdough starter.
For people who eat a lot of sourdough, the refined flour content could damage your gut as they are absorbed into the small intestine rather than digested slowly. “The result is a dramatic loss of gut microbial diversity and the rise of inflammatory bacteria that love simple carbohydrates,” says Bulziewicz.
Although some studies may suggest that sourdough bread shouldn't worsen IBS symptoms, at least one study found it was not better tolerated by those who believed they were sensitive to wheat. 4 This doesn't mean that there aren't other irritants within the bread that will generate a reaction in you.
Sourdough bread's benefits range from reducing the risk of heart disorders to promoting nutrient absorption. It has a low glycemic index and is a good bread option for those watching their after-meal blood sugar spikes. However, overindulging in it may lead to gas and bloating due to its fermented nature.
Avocados contain FODMAPs that can trigger IBS symptoms and may be high, moderate, or low in FODMAPs depending on how much you eat. In terms of portion sizes, 1/8 of an avocado is considered low-FODMAP and should be safe to eat if you have IBS. Some people may be able to tolerate more.
Some key foods you need to avoid are: Anything made with white flour, especially white bread and baked goods made with hydrogenated fats.