In culinary circles around the world, bread plays a vital role in everyday life. You will find all kinds of bread in the market – white, brown, multigrain, whole wheat, etc. You name it, you will find it. In Indian homes, you will find a variety of breads too, ranging from traditional flatbreads like roti and paratha to modern bakery staples like sandwich bread. But there is one bread that is gaining more attention worldwide due to its health benefits – sourdough bread! With its distinct tangy flavour and chewy texture, you must have tasted this bread while eating bruschetta.
Also read: The Rise and Evolution of Sourdough Bread
If you are health conscious, eating sourdough bread instead of regular bread can do wonders for your body. How, you ask? Nutritionist Deepsikha Jain (@fries.to.fit) has shared a video on her Instagram handle, which explains how sourdough bread is a much healthier option to eat than regular bread. Read on to know more.
Watch the full video here:
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Know why sourdough bread is healthier than regular bread
Nutritionist Deepshikha Jain gives three reasons why you should ditch regular bread and go for sourdough bread.
1. Low glycemic index
Sourdough bread is better than regular bread because it has a lower glycemic index. This means it is a very slowly digested carbohydrate that will take longer to raise your blood sugar after a meal, according to nutritionist Jain.
2. Good for gut health
Nutritionist Deepshikha Jain explains that sourdough bread is very good for your gut health because it goes through a very slow and long fermentation process. This leads to the growth of beneficial bacteria and yeasts which are very good for your gut health and it is also a prebiotic.
3. Easy to digest
Compared to regular bread, sourdough bread is easier to digest. Nutritionist Jain explains that this is because sourdough bread contains less anti-nutrients or phytic acid. During the fermentation process, sourdough bread pre-digests or neutralises the phytic acid and makes the nutrients easily available to the body. This makes it easier for your stomach to digest.
In addition, nutritionist Jain explains that sourdough bread is rich in lactic acid bacteria that increase beneficial bacteria and help maintain a healthy gut. In addition, you can further reduce the glycemic load by pairing sourdough bread with your choice of vegetables and protein source.
After sharing the video, many internet users asked questions.
A user asked, “Do I always get diarrhoea after eating any sour product!!! What to do?” To this, nutritionist Jain replied, “Please check the ingredients and quality of the product first. Many sour products hardly have any sourdough and mainly contain wheat/maida.”
Another user asked, “But which brand is the best and where to buy it from?” To this, nutritionist Jain suggested, “Look for bakers/bakeries that make fresh yeast.”
Photo Credit: iStock
How to make sourdough bread at home?
You can easily make sourdough bread at home with the help of two simple ingredients- white flour and water. The process begins with kneading the flour and water mixture. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes soft and pliable, and then leave it to rest for 2-3 days. Once it is done, refresh it by adding double the flour and enough water, and leave it again for two days. Repeat this process until you get a fresh, perfectly risen dough.
Now, just add salt, flour and water and put it in the oven. You will get delicious, crispy bread in just a few minutes. Want to know the step-by-step recipe for making sourdough bread? Click here.
How is sourdough bread different from regular bread?
Sourdough bread is a naturally leavened bread, which means it doesn’t use commercial yeast to make it rise. Instead, it uses a ‘starter’ – a natural leavening agent made from a mixture of flour and water containing wild yeast and lactobacilli bacteria – which helps it rise naturally. This also helps create its distinctive sour taste.
Also read: Can’t digest gluten? Find out why you need to go gluten-free (and when you don’t!)
Now that you know all about sourdough bread, will you make it at home? Let us know in the comments below!
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