2024-03-28 14:04:03
Eating fresh bread is one of the pillars of our food culture, as it occupied a special place in human diets for about 10,000 years, before gaining a “not good” reputation recently, according to recently published scientific reports..
In light of the ongoing obsession with low-carb diets, bread is accused of contributing to weight gain, metabolic problems, and raising blood sugar levels in unhealthy ways.
Warnings are also increasing against bread sold in supermarkets as unhealthy ultra-processed foods (UPFs), devoid of fiber and containing additives.
Critics say that bread is an easily digestible carbohydrate that our bodies quickly convert into glucose, causing blood sugar levels to rise.
Evidence suggests that extreme elevations in blood sugar, over time, can cause inflammation and increase the risk of diseases, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
It also makes us feel hungry again quickly; This is why some people refer to carbohydrates, such as bread, as “addictive.”
“Compared to other starchy foods such as pasta, rice or potatoes, bread has a lower water content and therefore a higher percentage of carbohydrates,” says Bridget Benelam, a nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation.
For her part, Dr. Salha Ahmed, a gastroenterologist at the National Health Service, “defends” carbohydrates, saying that high blood sugar after eating “is normal, and does not generally cause problems for healthy people who do not have diabetes.”
Regarding the effect of eating bread on weight gain, nutrition expert Vanessa Kimble says that it depends on how the bread is made and the types of grains it contains, “as refined, low-fiber bread can perpetuate hunger and raise insulin levels, which contributes to weight gain.”
On the other hand, whole grains and sourdough can actually help with weight management, as these types contain a lot of fiber, and eating smaller amounts of them makes a person feel full.
Some people claim that making bread quickly using additives is responsible for the health problems and bloating associated with eating bread, as the fermentation process used in quick bread is much faster than naturally leavened bread, which makes the bread more difficult to digest.
The quality and variety of grains in bread directly affects gut health, by providing a wide range of accessible, high-quality fibers. These fibers support a diverse gut microbiome, which is critical for strong health.
Last updated: March 19, 2024 – 23:21
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2024-03-28 14:04:03