What is sourdough bread? Sourdough is a leavened bread, which means the dough naturally rises as a result of gas which is produced as the grain ferments. While most commercial breads use baker's yeast as the raising agent, sourdough is made using a sourdough starter.
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.
Sourdough is naturally leavened bread, which means it doesn't use commercial yeast to rise. Instead, it uses a 'starter' – a fermented flour and water mixture that contains wild yeast and good bacteria – to rise. This also produces the tangy flavour and slightly chewy texture you'll find in sourdough.
The difference is in how they are made. Regular bread is made using store bought yeast that reacts with gluten making the dough rise. Sourdough bread, on the other hand, is made with a “starter.” This starter is made from a combination of yeast and bacteria growing inside a paste made of flour and water.
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.
A standard sourdough loaf is made from two simple ingredients, flour and water – or three, if you add salt. So standard sourdough isn't keto, because standard, all-purpose flour is made from grain (usually wheat), meaning it's high-carb . Therefore, anyone following a strict ketogenic diet should avoid it.
Whole wheat bread in actuality contains more resistant starch than sourdough bread, and also has more fibre, meaning it is friendlier to the gut and easier to digest. However, sourdough bread contains more nutrients and minerals, and also contains antioxidants (which wholemeal bread doesn't).
The Healthier Choice: Multigrain
Both loaves have about 80 calories, negligible fat, and 3 grams of protein per slice, but the multigrain delivers about two times more fiber than the sourdough. Make it into a sandwich and you've nabbed about a quarter of your recommended daily fiber intake.
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.
The way sourdough is made breaks down the fructans as well as the gluten. So even though sourdough is not completely free from gluten or fructans, it is easier to digest. This is because it has lower levels of gluten and fructans.
And is there a better option available? Although Sourdough bread can boast a low Glycemic Index, better digestibility and an increased nutritional profile, whole wheat has been known to have increased health benefits due to its higher fiber content and nutritional levels.
Sourdough bread will last for around 3 to 5 days if wrapped and stored correctly. But to enjoy sourdough at its best, it's recommended to consume it within 24 hours. This way you can enjoy that crispy crust and soft, airy interior at its best.
Whole grain bread is the healthiest pick for weight. It provides you with the nutrition of several whole grains like oats, barley, corn and others. Whole grain means whole kernel -the bran, germ and endosperm, which makes them highly nutritious.
Their results did not find any significant differences between the two different pieces of bread in both groups. However, whole-grain sourdough bread consumption has significantly increased LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in certain participants with specific genes (APOE E3/E3).
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.
"Whole wheat sourdough is great for those with sensitive stomachs thanks to the slow fermentation process and naturally occurring good bacteria that partially breaks down GI irritants such as phytic acid, wheat, and gluten," says Greene. Sourdough is made with the help of yeast and beneficial bacteria.
Sourdough contains less sugar, even when made with white flour. Both light and dark rye bread have a relatively low GI. Try to buy fresh from the bakery instead of the store, and go organic when possible. Even “healthy” multigrain bread can contain nasty sugar levels.
No, regular sourdough bread is not gluten-free.
Beyond Celiac does not recommend that those with celiac disease eat sourdough bread unless it is clearly labeled gluten-free or has been made safely at-home with gluten-free starters/ingredients.
Can you freeze sourdough bread? Yes, to freeze: (1) Slice bread or leave loaf whole; (2) Wrap tightly with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place in heavy-duty freezer bag and freeze.
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.
Sourdough bread doesn't contain sugar, while ordinary sandwich bread often does. Otherwise, the macronutrients depend on the kind of flour used. Whole wheat flour will generally contain more fiber than white flour. Enriched flour will also have vitamins and minerals to offer.
In addition, sourdough fermentation increases the presence of bioactive components with various functions, including antioxidant, antihypertensive, and anti-inflammatory activities [10,11].