Supermarket shelves are stocked with many different types of bread, some are healthier than others yet they all provide different benefits. Some are made from whole grains, whilst others are made from refined grains which don’t offer too much in the nutritional value department. However, if you’re on the hunt for a tasty loaf that can also enhance your digestion, read on for Bread: 5 Scrumptious, Easy-to-Digest Loaves You’ll Love!
1. Sprouted Whole Grain
This type of bread is made from whole grains that have sprouted from heat exposure. It has been found that sprouting can multiply the number of nutrients present by up to three times the normal amount!
For example, three times the amount of folate (vitamin B9) is found in sprouted whole grain bread which increases the antioxidant content whilst decreasing the anti-nutrient content. This improves the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients. This loaf also contains enzymes such as phytase and amylase which are highly important for good digestion.
2. Sourdough Bread
Sourdough bread can be made from either wholewheat or white flours. It’s made through a fermentation process, relying on naturally occurring yeast and bacteria. This process reduces and helps prevent phytic acid from binding to certain minerals, impairing their absorption, thus making the bread more digestible.
Sourdough bread is also easier to digest than most other breads due to its prebiotic properties, which also work to keep your gut bacteria in good health.
3. 100% Whole Wheat
A diet rich in whole grains has been found to reduce the risk of numerous health problems such as type 2 diabetes, obesity and heart disease.
Whole grains have the entire grain kept intact, including the germ, endosperm and the bran – and it’s the bran that provides the high fibre content of whole wheat bread. Fibre works to keep the bowels moving, thus promoting great digestive health.
4. Oat Bread
Similar to whole wheat, oat bread is high in fibre that acts as a natural prebiotic, encouraging beneficial bacteria in the gut.
It is commonly made from a combination of oats, whole-wheat flour, yeast and water. Beta-glucans (a source of soluble fibre, said to improve skin conditions such as eczema, bedsores, wounds and radiation therapy burns) in oats, are especially effective in lowering cholesterol and regulating blood sugar.
5. Flaxseed Bread
Made mostly from whole grain flours and flaxseed, flaxseed bread is one of the healthiest breads you can eat. Flaxseed provide a substantial amount of protein, soluble and insoluble fibre and omega-3 fatty acids.
The polyunsaturated fats in flaxseed can help to reduce inflammation, which is useful for those dealing with bloating. If you’re interested in making your own delicious flaxseed loaf, check out the recipe in the video above!
