By Dr. Jorge, Ph.D.
Bread is a delicious, but sometimes hard-to-digest, food. If you love bread but have found yourself with an upset stomach after enjoying your favorite loaf, this article is for you. Read on to find out how you can keep enjoying bread while keeping your tummy happy and your gut healthy!
What is the best bread for gut health?
Sourdough bread is the best bread for gut health. This is due to the fermentation process of sourdough bread. In contrast to white bread, which is made with commercial yeast, sourdough bread is made with a sourdough starter made from wild yeast. The slower fermentation process of sourdough bread produces organic acids and phytase, an enzyme that breaks down phytates that are naturally found in flour and can make digestion difficult. Prebiotics, which aid in digestion and help to form a healthy gut microbiome, are also formed during the sourdough bread fermentation process. Sourdough bread also tends to contain less gluten than other bread, further promoting gut health and easing digestion, especially for those who are gluten-intolerant.
What bread has the most probiotics? Is rye bread a probiotic? Is sourdough bread a probiotic?
Although sourdough bread dough and rye bread dough contain probiotics, baked bread does not contain probiotics since these microorganisms cannot survive the high heat conditions required to bake bread. However, both sourdough bread and rye bread are high in prebiotics, especially β-glucan. Prebiotics such as β-glucan nourishes our gut microbes (or healthy gut bacteria), helping to balance our gut microbiomes and improving digestion and metabolism. To get the best health benefits, try Wildgrain’s sourdough rye bread!
Is sourdough bread good for the gut and microbiome? Is sourdough bread the best bread for gut health?
Sourdough bread is great for your gut and overall microbiome health. This bread is one of the best types of bread for gut health, as its slow fermentation process produces good-for-you prebiotics. This process also helps to break down compounds, such as phytates and gluten, that make the digestion of regular white bread more difficult.
Is rye bread better for your gut and microbiome? Is rye bread the best bread for gut health?
Like sourdough bread, rye bread is good for your gut health and may help to improve digestion. One of the reasons rye bread is good for your gut microbiome is because it contains prebiotics, such as β-glucan, which is a soluble fiber that can help promote a healthy gut. As an overall good source of fiber, with a single slice containing about 2 grams of fiber, rye bread can help keep your bowels regular and effectively treat constipation. Considering both sourdough and rye bread are excellent bread choices for gut health, sourdough rye bread might be one of the best bread options for improving your gut microbiome.
What is the best bread for gut inflammation? What is the best bread for an anti-inflammatory diet?
The best bread to reduce gut inflammation is bread made from whole grains. Refined grains, such as the grains found in white bread and white pasta, are known to increase inflammation across the whole body. Sourdough bread and rye bread are both good options for an anti-inflammatory diet. The best sourdough and rye bread varieties to reduce gut inflammation are those made from whole grains. However, if you are intolerant to gluten, you’ll want to opt for gluten-free bread options to ease any gut inflammation, since neither sourdough bread nor rye bread are gluten-free.
What are the best breads for IBS?
Sourdough bread is one of the best types of bread for those with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, as it is often the best tolerated. The best bread choice for IBS is going to be different from person to person, but in general, you want to avoid bread that contains wheat, rye, barley, and whole grains. For those with IBS, whole grain foods tend to be harder to digest and make IBS symptoms worse. The fermentation process used to make sourdough bread helps to break down some of the gluten and other compounds that tend to cause IBS flare-ups. This often makes sourdough bread one of the best-tolerated breads for IBS.
Where can I buy healthy bread online?
At Wildgrain, we specialize in making high-quality, fresh breads that are delivered directly to your door. Wildgrain is the first bake-from-frozen delivery subscription service for breads, rolls, pastries, and fresh pastas. Some of our popular breads include sourdough whole wheat, sourdough 7-grain, slow fermented 3-seed bread, and sourdough rye. We are proud to offer healthy breads, made with non-GMO flour and without added sugar or preservatives. Learn more about Wildgrain and our artisanal baking and cooking methods.
About the Author
This content is for informational use only and does not replace professional nutrition and/or medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It is not a substitute for and should not be relied upon for specific nutrition and/or medical recommendations. Please talk with your doctor about any questions or concerns.
