Home»Food & Ferment»Sourdough

Last Updated on April 19 , 2022

Have you get wind the good news , that sourdough is just for you than other cabbage ? Or perhaps you conceive it was just a rumor ? Well it is true!Scientists , dietician , and health expert all match that naturally - fermented sourdough breadstuff is level-headed than ‘ even ’ white or whole wheat staff of life – for a multitude of reasons ! Sourdough ismore nutritious , easy to digest , and has alower glycemic index . Sourdough also containsless glutenthan other clams . So much so , that kinfolk who typically suffer from gluten sensitivity can often eat artisan or homemade sourdough bread with little - to - no inauspicious burden * . Read along to learn exactly why ! I believe you ’ll soon understand why homemade sourdough is theonlybread we deplete .

A fresh baked loaf of sourdough bread is sitting on a wood cutting board.

If you ’re young to sourdough and do n’t have a sourdough fledgeling yet ,   learn how to make one from scratchhere . Or , choose the fool - proof alternative and pick up aliving constitutive sourdough starterfrom our shop ! Then you may pack on to bake healthy sourdoughbread , focaccia , pizza crust , crackers , cornbread , and more !

  • Disclaimer : Wheat - based sourdough is not guaranteed to be safe for those diagnose with Celiac Disease or serious wheat allergy . However , it is reported to be well - digest for those with meek to moderate gluten sensitivity . This clause is not intended to treat any illnesses or provide medical advice . If you tolerate from gluten intolerance , please consult with your physician or proceed at your own risk . Also , just because sourdough is sizable than other shekels , that does n’t intend you should eat it all day , every day ! Everything in easing .

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The top of an open flip top jar is shown from above. It is filled to the top with active and bubbly sourdough starter. Next to the jar is a bowl of flour and a liquid measuring cup of water. An active sourdough starter is a beneficial culture that makes sourdough healthier.

countenance ’s start up with a warm primer on how sourdough is made , because the process is central to understanding why sourdough is healthier than standard , non - fermented bread .

How is sourdough made?

Sourdough bread is of course - raise . Rather than relying on commercial-grade or clamant yeast like most simoleons , sourdough baking utilizes a living culture or‘sourdough starter’as a rising agent . A sourdough starter is full of several var. of good bacteria orprobiotics and barbaric yeast , including lactobacillus . When fighting sourdough starter is mixed with flour and water system to produce lucre , the healthy bacteria and yeast provender on the flour , converting it to lactic acid and C dioxide .

Lacto - fermentationis what gives sourdough loot air pocket , a downy texture , and a slightly tangy feel . However , most homemade sourdough bread is n’t all that false - tasting at all!It is just call up ‘ sourdough ’ because it is fermented . And the simple fact that it is ferment is why sourdough shekels is better for you . rising and flavour aside , lactic acid bacteria get legion beneficial change to the nutrients , gluten , and other compounds found in sourdough – as explain in particular to follow .

Not all sourdough is created equal.

Keep in mind that the process of making sourdough is not an exact science . Except in a laboratory or mill - like setting , no two loaves are the same ! Manyvariablesexist : the kind of flour used , the strain of good bacterium and yeasts living in the sourdough starter acculturation , and also each baker ’s routine . Some lettuce ferments for an extended period of metre , and others for only a couple of hour . Factors such as temperature and humidity also influence the fermentation process .

Therefore , while the health benefits of sourdough we ’re research today are consider as generally true , they may not be entirely coherent or to the same grade for every loaf of bread or mortal . what is more , keep in creative thinker thatnot all bread market as ‘ sourdough ’ has go through a traditional long fermentation operation . Most market memory sourdough utilise instant barm instead of a natural sourdough starter culture , has been artificially flavored to try out sour , and also contains preservatives and additional factor . Artisan ( small bakery ) orhomemade sourdoughpromises the most nutritionary value .

Sourdough and Gluten

Does sourdough contain gluten?

While sourdough is n’t considered entirely ‘ gluten - spare ’ , it does containfar less glutenthan unfermented bread and average wheat ware ! Even if you begin your sourdough with 100 % wheat berry flour , the zymolysis process significantly degrade the gluten over time . Do n’t get me wrong ; gluten is n’t necessarily bad . It ’s simply a protein , and what yield bread marvelous structure and grain . Yet this comes as wonderful news forgluten - sensitive individuals – myself included ! In fact , homemade sourdough is the only kind of pale yellow or bread product I can comfortably use up .

It is also possible to make 100 % gluten free sourdough , such as using brown rice flour , oat flour , or similar GF flour . We have experiment with it , and even shared tutorial on how tomake gluten - gratuitous sourdough freshman , firecracker , andbread . But to be completely honest , it ’s not most as estimable as wheat berry - based sourdough .

Gluten degradation & digestive issues

In an unfermented land , the gluten and other carbohydrates in wheat or rye grains are indigestible to some people . In response , the person experiences bloating , gas , pain , or other uncomfortable symptoms.(Been there , done that!)The tie in bowel inflammation also prevents the absorption of other essentnial nutrients , taking away from cosmopolitan well - being .

Repeatedstudiesshow that lactic acid bacteria fermentation of wheat and rye sourdough modifies the molecular anatomical structure and/or thin certain carbohydrates and protein – including gluten . The resulting sourdough is easier to support and spark fewer unpleasant reactions . In general , the long sourdough is allowed to sour , the more gluten is libertine and reduced .

That is why we prefer to work our homemade sourdough for many hour . Our favoritesimple sourdough bread recipestarts with a four to five - hr bulk ferment at elbow room temperature , follow by an extra 8 to 12 - minute ( overnight ) stale - proof in the icebox before bake . However , as fermentation and gluten degradation retain beyond 24 hr , it may also negatively affect the structure or rise of the bread .   You ’ll have to experiment and see what puzzle out best for you !

A picture shows a jar of sourdough starter on the left and a loaf of bread that has been cut in half on the right. It  depicts bacteria, yeast, and flour and what those items together provide for a baked loaf of bread which is acid, carbon dioxide and aromas.

The Enhanced Nutritional Value of Sourdough

As the fermentation procedure degrades gluten in sourdough , many other born compound are raise or created . Here is an telling , skill - backed list of why sourdough is healthier than other boodle :

Stronger muscles

One studyshowed that naturally fermented wheat berry or rye sourdough contain 10 to 17 times the amount of leucine and isoleucine than non - fermented bread . Leucine and isoleucine are both ramification chain amino group acids ( BCAAs ) . These are two of the nineessential amino acidsthat are vital to our health , but are n’t synthesize by our bodies . Meaning , they must be obtained through diet alone . BCAAs are often found in protein - copious foods like dairy farm , nitty-gritty , and egg . Or , in dietary accessory like whey or Glycine max protein powders . BCAAs promotestrong goodly muscle growth , reduces muscle cachexia , and eases sinew discomfort .

Lower glycemic index

The elevated concentration of branched chain amino Zen ( described above ) in sourdough also contract post - meal blood glucose levels bystimulating insulin reaction . combine with the fact that sourdough bread isdigested more slowlythan other bread , hoi polloi experience a significantlylower glycemic response(or less of a blood sugar spike ) after eating sourdough . People also report feeling full ormore satiatedfor a long period of time after eating sourdough than canonical bread . The result is a reduced peril for insulin ohmic resistance , weight gain , and diabetes . Holla !

All of this is progressively truthful if you make your homemade sourdough with at least a serving of complex ( non - refined)whole grain flour . For example , whole wheat , rye , Triticum spelta , or Einkorn flours . I have Type 1 Diabetes , and need far less insulin to “ overlay ” a slice of homemade healthy sourdough bread compared to received bread . Our go - to sourdough recipe combine 65 % lily-white bread flour , 30 % whole wheat berry , and 5 % Secale cereale .

More Antioxidants

A 2018scientific paper bring out by Nature Research bear witness a illustrious increase in the concentration of 28 different peptide in fermented sourdough . intimately all of these peptides ( brusk range amino acids ) have knownantioxidantor antihypertensive property . They help reduce barren radicals in the body and thin blood insistency ( respectively ) , providing aegis against Crab , stroke , and pump disease .

Less Phytic Acid, Increased Mineral Bioavailability

Grains and legume contain a natural subject matter calledphytic window pane . While phytic acid does have a few health benefits , it also gets a sorry tap as an‘anti - nutrient ’ . Phytic Elvis inhibit the absorption of iron , Ca , and zinc , which can lead to mineral deficiencies . Some naturopath also suspect that phytic acid can aggravate Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms such as bloat and gasolene . Once again , fermentation to the delivery !

Researchshows that sourdough that has undergone a long , dull fermentation cognitive process ‘ pre - digest ’ andpartially neutralise phytic acid . Therefore , we can more easily endure the clams – and well take in themineralsthat it contains !

Improved Gut Health & Nutrient Absorption

Thus far , we ’ve explore how fermenting sourdough can increase or lessen sure compounds , but how about how our body react to them ?

To start , if you ’re someone who experiences unpleasant side effects from non - fermented loot but have continued to consume it anyway , you ’re not doing your body any favor . The bread itself is less nutritious than sourdough , and the changeless vexation andinflammation in your bowelscan suppress you from fully absorbingallthe nutrients you consume –   not just those in the bread !

Like all fermented foods , sourdough promotesgeneral gut healthand produce a prosperous environment for maximum nutrient metabolism . A healthy bowel straightaway contributes to maintaining a levelheaded immune system , digestive organisation , andoverall total - body health ! During sourdough fermentation , good bacteria and yeast give our gut a start start out and‘pre - digest’a lot of compound , create them more bioavailable to our eubstance . roughage is just one excellent example .

A diagram showing that fermentation by yeast and lactic acid and how it can enhance certain nutritional benefits of bread. Phenolics, vitamins, minerals, fiber, proteins and starch are all made more bioavailable to the body.

Other Benefits of Sourdough

Let ’s brush up a few more notable reasons why sourdough is goodish than other bread , and then I ’ll get you be on your way .

One , it ismore sustainable ! make your own sourdough lucre at family reduces moldable dissipation you ’d otherwise sire buying bagged bread . It also cuts your solid food carbon footprint – not having your bread truck across the country to get to your kitchen .

Two , you have the utmostcontrol over the ingredients . By making your own homemade sourdough , you have the opportunity to habituate constitutive * , high - character , more nutrient - dense flour than what ’s used in commercial products . Plus , you ’re avoid all those preservative and redundant ingredients . Homemade sourdough is literally just flour , water supply , and salt .   you could also add other levelheaded goodies like fresh herbs , garlic , olives , nuts , seeds … whatever you trust !

A fresh loaf of sourdough bread is shown. DeannaCat is holding half of the loaf after she sliced it down the middle. The inside of the bread is slightly brown with pumpkin seeds visible throughout the bread. Below is a cutting board with a bread knife and the remaining loaf of bread. Make sourdough healthier by adding nutrient rich additions such as seeds, nuts, and fresh herbs.

Finally , making sourdough isrewarding and fun . If you have n’t examine it yet , hear me now : it is NOT as severely as you may conceive of . you’re able to totally do this ! I ’ll accept that some homemade sourdough tutorials can be a bit intimidating , peculiarly if it includes a set of unfamiliar baker ’s jargon . I try on my best to make our sourdough tutorial as square and easy to follow as potential !

  • mention : The use ofcertified organicflour may also further reduce side effect of “ gluten - intolerance ” , as many individuals may actually be experiencing reaction to the toxic pesticides that are vulgar in GMO non - constitutive wheat flour – such asRound Up .

Key Takeaways

Traditionally fermented sourdough is sizable than standard non - fermented boodle , for the following reason :

And that concludes this lesson on why sourdough is healthier than other bread.

All in all , sourdough is fairly darn awesome . I am in love with the operation of making it , and my bowel is n’t unbalanced about it either . For year I struggled with soreness after feed lettuce , even when I tried gluten - free option . Now , we bake and enjoy fresh bread or other sourdough recipes every week or two . It has become something that we really enjoy to do together , and the opportunity toget creativeare endless !

What do you say ? Did you learn something new ? Have you been on the fencing about sourdough , but are now feeling excited to try ? I desire you enjoy learning all about why sourdough is healthier than other dinero , because I definitely enjoy spell about it ! I also highly commend theAir episodeof Michael Pollen’s‘Cooked ’ serieson Netflix . It is a captivating look at all thing tempestuousness .

Please feel free to enquire any questions , andspread the sourdough loveby share this article ! Also , do n’t omit these connect posts :

An image that shows some of the benefits of fermented foods in a bulleted list on the left while on the right there are various bowls and cups of fermented foods including cottage cheese, beer, bread, kraut, cheese, sourdough, and yogurt. A few of the benefits include probiotics, gut health, reduce inflammation etc.

A sourdough loaf of bread is shown cut in half with half of the loaf inverted on its side to reveal the inside of the loaf. There green olives and walnuts visible within the bread. The heal of the loaf has been cut off the loaf and cut in half next to the loaf.

A close up image of a sourdough focaccia loaf that contains slices of tomato, black olives, slivered garlic, and fresh thyme. The top of the bread is bubbly with air, the bubbles are darker brown in color. Make sourdough healthier with active and bubbly sourdough starter.

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