Sourdough bread can be traced back to the old era. Its popularity is on the rise for various reasons. Sourdough bread is considered one of the healthiest breeds in the market. In addition to this, it has a very sweet taste. People are currently purchasing more healthy sourdough bread when compared to conventional bread. Some people claim sourdough bread is also easy to digest and doesn’t trigger increased blood sugar levels. Well; are the above statements true or simple speculations?
Sourdough bread is made through the sourdough process. This process entails fermentation of grains. This fermentation process originated from Egypt and can be traced back to 1,500 BC. Sourdough has for centuries been used in baking bread. This changed when yeast started being used when baking bread.
In leavened bread, the dough rises throughout the break making process because of the gas produced. Gas is produced during the fermentation process. Yeast is currently used to make the dough rise. This process is quite different when it comes to baking sourdough bread. A combination of lactic acid bacteria and wild yeast is used when baking sourdough bread. Lactic acid bacteria can be naturally found in flour. The combination of water, flour, lactic acid bacteria and wild yeast is called starter. This combination helps ferment the sugars found in the dough.
This process makes the bread attain a different taste. Sourdough bread takes a long period when combined other bread. This is what brings out a unique texture. Sourdough slices of bread can be found in different parts of the globe. Choose a genuine dealer who uses the traditional methods to bake sourdough bread.
The nutrition content in Sourdough bread
The nutrition content in sourdough bread varies. The type of flour you use determines the nutrition levels in any healthy sourdough bread. Flour can either be refined or whole grain. Below are some nutrients found in sourdough bread:
- Fibre- Fiber helps lower cholesterol levels in the body. It also helps normalize blood sugar levels. Fibre also improves bowel movement. Obese people can also benefit from fibre in sourdough bread.
- Protein-Protein helps repair and build different body tissues. It is also used in the production of different hormones and enzymes.
- Fat- The good fats found in sourdough bread reduces the risks 0f stroke and heart disease. It also reduces the levels of bad cholesterol in the body and increases the levels of good fat.
- Selenium- Selenium is one of the powerful antioxidants. It can be used to fight a different health condition. Selenium also reduces the risks of developing cancer. It also effective in the fight against heart condition. Selenium can also reduce asthma symptoms.
- Folate- Folate is required in the production of white and red blood cells in the body. It also helps in the conversion of carbohydrate into energy.
- Thiamin- Thiamin, also known as Vitamin B1 helps convert carbohydrate into energy.
- Sodium- Sodium helps balance fluids throughout the body. This mineral also helps lower the body’s blood pressure.
- Niacin- This nutrient in sourdough bread lowers the bad cholesterol in the body, prevents heart conditions, prevents type 1 diabetes, improve brain function and skin function.
- Manganese- Manganese contains strong antioxidants that reduce the possibilities of some illnesses. It also improves the health of bones, reduces inflammation and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
- Iron- Iron supports different functions such as generating energy and prevents anaemia.
These are a few reasons that make Sourdough bread healthy when compared to other different kinds of pieces of bread.
Why is Sourdough bread nutritious when compared to ordinary bread?
A lot of people wonder why Sourdough bread is very healthy when compared to other bread, despite using the same flour. Fermentation is what brings all these different. The fermentation process of sourdough bread gives it more nutrients when compared to normal bread. Whole-grain bread contains different kinds of minerals. They range from zinc, magnesium, phosphate and potassium.
However, the absorption rate of these minerals is limited because of phytic acid, popularly known as phytates. Phytic acid reduces the absorption rate of minerals by binding to minerals. Well; lactic acid bacteria found in Sourdough change all these by reducing the overall PH of the bread. This reduces the levels of phytic acid in the sourdough bread. Low levels of phytates increase the absorption rate of minerals. This is the reason sourdough bread is more nutritious.
That’s not all; the lactic acid bacteria found in sourdough bread is capable of releasing antioxidants. This mostly occurs during the fermentation process. The folate levels also increase during sourdough fermentation. Fermentation also improves the texture and flavour of sourdough bread.
Sourdough bread is easy to digest
Sourdough bread gets digested faster and easier when compared to any bread fermented with yeast. A lot of researchers believe the probiotic properties and prebiotic content make it easy to digest sourdough bread. Probiotics are good bacteria that aid digestion. Prebiotics are a group of fibre which cannot be digested. This fibre feeds the good bacteria in the gut. Both prebiotics and probiotics improve the health of the gut and improve the digestion process.
In addition to these, sourdough fermentation helps reduce gluten. Gluten causes different digestive problems. This type of protein can cause constipation, diarrhoea, bloating or stomach pain. Currently, there are different kinds of sourdough bread. Therefore, choose sourdough bread that has been prepared through the traditional method.
Sourdough bread helps control blood sugar levels
High blood sugar levels can result in type 2 diabetes and other serious health complications. Sourdough bread can help keep insulin levels and blood sugar levels intact when compared to other types of bread. Sourdough fermentation changes the composition of different molecules including carbs. This reduces the rate in which sugar is processed and transferred into the bloodstream. Lactic acid bacteria have also been proven to reduce the rate in which the stomach empties food. This automatically prevents spiking of blood sugar levels. Therefore, you should consider sourdough bread if you want to keep your blood sugar levels and insulin levels intact.
The Process of making Sourdough bread
Do you know you can make fresh sourdough bread from the comfort of your house? You simply need three ingredients; namely salt, flour and water. Below is a step by step process on how to bake your sourdough bread:
- The entire process commences by making a sourdough starter. Check out a couple of online tutorials on how to make a sourdough starter.
- Allow your sourdough starter to grow for a few days by feeding it. Take a part of the starter you are going to use now for your sourdough bread.
- Mix it with a reasonable amount of water and flour. Leave the mixture for a few hours before adding salt.
- Carry on and fold the sourdough dough for a few minutes before leaving it for roughly half an hour. Repeat the same procedure until the dough is stretchy and smooth.
- Place the dough at room temperature and allow it to grow in size.
- Proceed and shape the dough before placing it inside an oven.
- Leave your bread for roughly 3 hours before slicing it.
The sourdough starter takes roughly five days to prepare. One should be patient enough.
Bottom line
Sourdough bread is healthy when compared to other types of bread. Sourdough bread also contains different levels of nutrients. These nutrients benefit the body in different ways. Therefore, consider sourdough bread over other kinds of bread.
