The bottom line. Sourdough is a healthier alternative to regular white or whole wheat bread. Although it has comparable nutrients, the lower phytate levels mean it is more digestible and nutritious. The prebiotics also help to keep your gut bacteria happy, and it may be less likely to spike blood sugar levels.
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.
Whole wheat sourdough bread is a good bread option to meet your weight loss goals. The enriched nutritional profile of whole wheat sourdough bread makes it an excellent option for those focused on weight loss, since it has little-to-no sugar and fat and a very low glycemic index.
Wheat breads offer more vitamins, whole grains and fiber, and they have less of a negative impact on blood sugar, which can be helpful for people who have insulin resistance, Mokari said. But some people just have a strong preference for white bread, and to them, Mokari says go for it.
However, both sourdough bread and rye bread are high in prebiotics, especially β-glucan. Prebiotics such as β-glucan nourishes our gut microbes (or healthy gut bacteria), helping to balance our gut microbiomes and improving digestion and metabolism. To get the best health benefits, try Wildgrain's sourdough rye bread!
Despite what many people believe, some types of bread are excellent for a person's health. Whole-grain bread, Ezekiel bread, and rye bread are among the most healthful options. Bread made from whole or sprouted grains contains essential nutrients, including protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Sourdough contains a variety of vitamins and nutrients, making it super beneficial to your day-to-day health. Sourdough bread has small to moderate amounts of: iron, manganese, calcium, B1-B6, B12, folate, zinc, potassium, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, selenium, iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin E.
How much sourdough bread is a healthy amount to consume in a day? It is currently recommended to consume 6 servings of grains per day. One sourdough slice of bread is equal to one serving.
As mentioned earlier, sourdough bread will have less calories and carbohydrates than their conventional bread counterparts due to the consumption of starches and sugars at the fermentation stage of making sourdough bread.
Keri Says: Though it's comparable to a regular slice of white bread in the amount of calories, carbs and fiber, sourdough is lower in sugar and higher in protein, which gives it a leg up.
However, it does have some digestive benefits. During the fermentation process, bacteria and yeast work to predigest starches in the flour. This translates to easier digestion for you and a more stable effect on blood sugar compared to store bought bread.
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.
You would need to do specific detailed calculations for an accurate measure, however, on average 2 slices of sourdough bread weighing 64g each will contain around 348 calories.
However, in many cases, it's more to do with the speedy production process of the bread which leaves a lot of work for our digestion, due to the high FODMAP content. FODMAPs are certain types of carbohydrate which are hard for the body to break down and which can cause bloating, wind and other IBS symptoms.
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. These bacteria are important for maintaining a stable, healthy digestive system. Sourdough is also lower in gluten than other forms of bread.
Made with a blend of grains, seeds and French rye sourdough, Helga's Grains & Seeds Sourdough has been baked to be soft and versatile, making it perfect for both sandwiches and toast at any time of the day. It's not just bread. It's Helga's.
It may have been fermented for longer than standard bread but that does not make it a sourdough. A sourdough is a bread leavened with a sourdough culture, which comprises wild yeasts and lactobacilli bacteria.
Yes, whole grain bread is very good for weight loss. Eating whole grains have been shown to help eliminate more belly fat when compared to eating refined grains. Whole grain bread contains fiber, which may also help keep you full for longer, making it easier to eat less overall and help lose weight.
Sourdough bread is healthier than traditional ciabatta bread. Ciabatta bread is a popular type of Italian bread, and therefore, is less nutritious than sourdough bread due to the leavening agent used. However, if you are searching for a healthier ciabatta bread, you can choose one made with sourdough or whole grains.
Anything with “enriched,” “bleached,” or “unbleached” as part of the first ingredient. “Enriched wheat” essentially means “White Flour”. Be wary of “wheat” or even “100% whole wheat” — some breads will have this as an ingredient but aren't truly made with whole-grain flour, and are still highly processed and refined.
As long as they're made with whole grains and have limited or no added sugar, both rye bread and sourdough bread are healthy bread options. Sourdough bread may be even healthier than regular bread because the fermentation makes certain vitamins and minerals easier for our bodies to absorb.