Bread is a go-to breakfast ingredient all over the world. From simple bread jam to a wholesome chicken sandwich, there are plenty of ways to add them to our morning meal. Bread is an essential ingredient for many snacks and desserts as well, like bread pakora, toasties, bread upma, shahi tukda, and gulab jamun. There are many types of bread available on the market, but the most common one is white bread.
However, white breads are made from highly processed flour, which makes them unhealthy. Therefore, it is better to switch to other healthy varieties like brown, wheat, sprouted, and whole grain bread. Talking particularly about whole-grain bread, these are some of the healthiest options available.
They are made up of fully intact grains, and the most popular ones are wheat, barley, brown rice, and oat bread. Some whole-grain breads also incorporate seeds like pumpkin, flax, and sunflower seeds that enhance the nutritional value of the bread. The artisanal wholegrain breads made in traditional ways are some of the best to use as compared to store-bought ones, as they use natural ingredients and are void of artificial preservatives, flour treatment agents, and more.
Here are four reasons to include whole-grain bread in your diet:
Improve Heart Health
According to Healthline, whole grains are loaded with various important nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and protein that help keep the heart healthy as compared to refined grains. The fibre, vitamin K, and antioxidants present in the bread also reduce the risk of heart disease, including stroke. Therefore, if you want to keep your heart healthy, add whole-grain bread to your diet.
Good For Managing Weight
In today’s world, many people struggle to maintain a healthy weight. Being rich in fibre and other essential nutrients, whole-grain bread keeps your tummy full for a long time and prevents you from overeating. According to WebMD, they have fewer calories as compared to white bread, which helps you eliminate unwanted belly fat.
Supports The Digestive System
Fibre is an essential nutrient to maintain a healthy digestive system, and whole-grain breads are loaded with it. It helps reduce the risk of many digestive problems, including constipation. According to Healthline, the fibre in whole-grain bread also helps feed beneficial gut bacteria.
Reduces The Risk Of Chronic Inflammation
According to a report by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information, the dietary fibre, antioxidants, and phytochemicals present in whole grain bread act in an anti-inflammatory manner that reduces the risk of many chronic diseases like asthma and heart problems.
Packed with these benefits, whole grain bread also tastes amazing and can be used to make all types of dishes, such as sandwiches, toasties, bread pakora, upma, and desserts. If you are thinking of baking it at home, it is very simple. All you need to do is combine the grains with other ingredients, knead the dough, and bake it as you would any regular bread. You can also mix two or more grains together and bake your nutrient-rich bread.