This type of bread has gained a lot of popularity recently. People love sourdough bread not only for its unique taste but also for its healthier nutritional value compared to other types of bread.
But what is sourdough bread?
Like most other breads you buy in a bakery or supermarket, instead of packaged yeast, this one is made with "bread seed," a live culture of microbes like lactic acid bacteria that are grown from flour and are affected by the ambient temperature and conditions where it is stored. When this breadcrumb is mixed with water and flour, a thick dough similar to that of pancakes is created.
When mixed with flour, water and salt to make bread, the dough ferments to produce a natural yeast. This fermentation helps break down some of the proteins found in flour, including gluten.
The secret to sourdough bread also lies in the baking time, an old method that dates back to around 1500 BC in ancient Egypt. The special taste and aroma of bread are unique and this is due to the acetic acid produced during fermentation.
Is this type of bread healthy?
It's hard to deny the healthy nutrients in this bread. Protein, fiber, iron, selenium, manganese, copper and B vitamins such as B12, folate, thiamin, niacin and riboflavin are just some of these values. Plus, sourdough bread has notable amounts of potassium, zinc, and phosphorus.
Gut health
The fermentation required to make sourdough bread begins to break down some of the proteins in wheat flour, including gluten, and the bread is easily digestible for those who are sensitive to wheat or gluten-based products.
Immune health
If you often consume this type of bread, the benefits of the immune system are numerous. The microbiome found in it helps regulate inflammation and the immune system.
Heart health
The fiber in sourdough bread like potassium, phosphorus and sodium contribute to a heart-healthy diet. The soluble fiber found in this type of bread binds to dietary cholesterol in the small intestine, helping this fat to pass through the digestive system and not be absorbed by the body.
Source: Real Simple
