Sourdough is not gluten free, but we know that many people with IBS, gluten intolerance, or gluten sensitivity can tolerate sourdough bread. This is because the methods used to make sourdough break down some of the gluten in the flour so it is easier to digest. Think of sourdough as low-gluten rather than gluten-free.
It's nutritious.
Sourdough contains a variety of vitamins and nutrients, making it super beneficial to your day-to-day health.
Sourdough uses very few ingredients. In fact, a basic sourdough bread contains just flour, water and salt. If you're not in the 33% of the nation that's considered making sourdough in the last year, you may be wondering where the yeast is… This is one of the reasons sourdough is so great.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The high protein content of sourdough not only helps keep you feeling full for a longer period of time, eating plenty of protein is also key to building and maintaining muscle mass. For an even greater protein bump, try making whole wheat sourdough bread.
In addition, sourdough bread is healthier than regular white bread because sourdough does not typically include added refined sugar while regular white bread does contain added refined sugar.
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.
Once you've successfully created your starter, you'll need to feed it regularly. If you bake a lot of sourdough treats, you may want to keep it on your counter, at room temperature. While this means feeding it twice a day, it also means your starter will be ready to bake with at the drop of a hat (er, oven mitt).
Basic Bread Storage Tips:
It is worth noting that one of the benefits of fresh sourdough bread (bread made with a sourdough culture) is that it has a longer shelf life than typical store-bought bread. It can typically last for about 4 to 5 days at room temperature. Whatever you do, please do not refrigerate your bread.
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.
In sourdough, the lactic acid bacteria produce an enzyme called phytase, which effectively 'pre-digests' the phytic acid during the extended fermentation. This partially neutralises the effects of the phytic acid and makes the bread easy for us to digest.
Sourdough bread may be good for cholesterol in some people. In one study, participants saw a reduction in serum cholesterol from sourdough bread, while others did not see meaningful effects.
For the healthiest sourdough bread, choose a variety made with whole wheat flour. Not only will you soak up the bread's natural probiotics, you'll get extra fiber, protein, and minerals, too. You can also make your own sourdough bread at home.
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.
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.
If you have gone gluten-free to better manage your IBS and miss eating bread, you may want to try sourdough. This bread stands out from others because it's missing a key ingredient that tends to aggravate IBS.