Is sourdough bread healthy?
As sourdough is naturally leavened bread that relies on fermentation instead of commercial yeast to rise it has a number of health benefits.
These benefits include being good for your gut, being easier to digest and containing less sugar than other types of mass produced bread.
If you’re unsure about any of the health benefits of sourdough bread, please do talk them through with your GP, specialist dietician or health professional.
Is sourdough bread good for your gut?
Yes, sourdough bread can be good for your gut.
The fermentation process that occurs during the creation of the sourdough starter not only breaks down some of the starches in the flour, it also produces lactic acid and other compounds that can help to improve gut health.
A number of studies also suggest that sourdough bread has a higher number of prebiotic and probiotic-like properties than other commercially produced bread.
Is sourdough bread gluten-free?
No, while normal sourdough bread can contain relatively less gluten than commercially produced bread, it’s not totally gluten-free.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and triticale
Sourdough bread is made with wheat flour, which contains gluten.
The fermentation process that occurs during the preparation and feeding of the sourdough starter does break down some of the gluten, but does not entirely remove it.
100% gluten-free sourdough bread is available though, so too are recipes for it.
Is sourdough bread good for diabetics?
Sourdough bread can be a good choice for anyone with diabetes as it has a lower glycemic index than other types of bread.
Again it’s due to the fermentation process that occurs during the making of the sourdough starter which breaks down some of the starches in the flour – helping to slow down the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream.
This can help to prevent spikes in blood sugar levels after eating.
If you’re making your own sourdough, choose a recipe that contains whole grains, such as whole wheat flour, rye flour or spelt flour.
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