Sourdough vs white sliced: Which breads should we be eating?

Bread is a staple food in many households, and the choices available in supermarkets can be overwhelming. From soft white loaves to hearty wholegrain and artisan sourdough, each type of bread has its own unique qualities. During the Covid-19 lockdown, a lot of people, including the author, started baking sourdough bread at home. Sourdough is made using a starter, which is a mixture of wild yeast and bacteria. This starter helps the bread rise naturally and gives it a tangy flavor. Making sourdough is a slow process, often taking more than a day from start to finish, but many people enjoy the taste and the satisfaction of making something from scratch.

Most of the bread found in supermarkets is made using the Chorleywood process, which was developed in the UK in the 1950s. This method uses extra yeast, hard fats, and chemicals like enzymes and emulsifiers to speed up the bread-making process. The result is soft, fluffy bread that stays fresh for a long time. However, this bread is considered an ultra-processed food, or UPF, because of all the added ingredients. Eating too many UPFs has been linked to health problems, so some people prefer to avoid them. Sourdough bread, in contrast, is made with just flour, water, salt, and the starter. The long fermentation process breaks down proteins and makes vitamins and minerals easier to absorb. It also reduces the amount of hard-to-digest carbohydrates, making sourdough easier on the stomach for some people.

Wholegrain bread is another healthy option. Wheat grains have three parts: the germ, the bran, and the endosperm. Wholegrain bread uses all three, so it contains more fiber, vitamins, and minerals than white bread, which is made only from the endosperm. Eating wholegrain bread can help you feel full longer and is linked to a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes. Some scientists are working on making white bread healthier by adding ingredients like peas, beans, and other grains to boost its fiber and nutrient content. When choosing bread, it's a good idea to look for loaves with fewer added ingredients and more whole grains. If you can't find or afford artisan sourdough, some supermarkets sell packaged sourdough that is less processed than regular white bread. Freezing bread is also a good way to keep it fresh for longer. In the end, the best bread for you depends on your taste, budget, and health needs, but being aware of what's in your bread can help you make better choices.