In recent years, there has been growing interest in the potential health benefits of sourdough bread, particularly its impact on gut health. The gut is home to trillions of bacteria, which play an important role in digestion, immunity, and overall health. Andresearch has shown that eating sourdough bread can help to improve gut health in a number of ways. And that is why at Abigail's Oven we suggest taking a "5 Loaf Challenge for a Healthier Gut".
As most of our readers know, sourdough bread is made using a starter, which is a mixture of flour and water that has been fermented with wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria.
"Scientists have started to discover that the variability in number and type of microbiota in dough depends not just on the native microbial flora of the baker’s environment and hands, but also other factors like choice of flour, when and how often the starter is fed, dough hydration level and type of[grain] used, leavening temperature, fermentation time and sourdough maintenance temperature [1,2,3]"Sourdough Microbiome Comparison and Benefits,Microorganisms.2021 Jul; 9(7): 1355
When adding starter to a mixture of flour and water, this expands the fermentation intoand entire batch of dough and gives sourdough bread its characteristic sour taste. But this process also makes it more digestible than other types of bread.
The fermentation process used to make sourdough bread breaks down some of the starches in the flour, making it easier for the body to digest. This can be beneficial for people with digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome and other gluten intolerances, but not always with those who have serious celiac disease.
The fermentation process also makes the nutrients in sourdough bread more available for absorption by the body. This is because the lactic acid bacteria in the sourdough starter break down phytates, which are compounds that can bind to nutrients and make them difficult to absorb.
Inflammation is a major factor in many chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. The fermentation process used to make sourdough bread produces short-chain fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
The gut is the body's first line of defense against infection. The bacteria in the gut play an important role in fighting off harmful bacteria and viruses. Eating sourdough bread can help to improve the diversity of gut bacteria, which can lead to improved immune function.
Overall, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that eating sourdough bread can have a number of beneficial effects on gut health. If you are looking for a way to improve your gut health, sourdough breadmay be a good option to consider.
Here are some additional tips for getting the most health benefits from sourdough bread:
- Look for sourdough bread that is made with aREAL™ sourdough starter and not a combination of sourdough culture and yeast.
- Choose whole grain breadforadditional nutrients.
- Avoid bread that has been made with enriched flour, sugar, or other unhealthy ingredients. Abigail's Oven REAL™ Sourdough Breadis made with just "3 Perfect Ingredients."
- And enjoy sourdough bread in moderation as part of a healthy diet.
