Health Benefits of Bread

Rose May Pimentel in Health

Jan 14, 2023 • 3 min Read

Bread is a traditional food with a variety of flavors, ingredients, and nutrients. It’s one of the most versatile food as it can be conveniently enjoyed in so many forms, anytime and anywhere.

There are different types of bread and in different ways, using various ingredients. Examples include pandesal, white bread, wheat bread, and many more.

Here are some of the amazing benefits of bread:

1. Bread Contains Fiber

Different bread products contain varying amounts of fiber, at least 1 gram per serving. Fiber can help you:

* Feel fuller: When your body works to break down food containing fiber, you feel fuller longer. It could help you avoid overeating or eating too much throughout the day. There are fibers that can help you lose weight.

* Manage blood sugar: Foods high in fiber have a lower glycemic index (GI), a ranking that reflects how foods affect blood sugar. With a lower GI, foods that are high in fiber, like bread products, reduce blood sugar spikes after a meal that’s high in carbs.

2. Bread Has A Probiotic Effect

Bread health benefit comes from fiber that acts as a prebiotic or good gut bacteria and protects our digestive systems. Probiotics consume fiber and carb and help maintain the body health balance.

3. Bread Contains Protein

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.36 times your body weight in pounds re-protein a day in grams. Bread is a low- to no-fat way of meeting your daily protein goals. Getting enough protein in your diet helps:

* Reduce your appetite: Protein reduces levels of ghrelin, the hunger hormone. It can help you feel fuller and avoid overeating.

* Increase muscle mass: Protein is essential for building and maintaining muscle mass and strength. If you’re trying to lose weight without losing muscle, ensure to consume enough protein.

* Maintain bone health: Eating protein can help maintain bone mass as you age. It prevents fractures and other issues.

4. Bread Fuels Your Body

Low- and no-carb diet trends leave many people thinking that all carbs are bad. Certain carbohydrates are necessary to fuel the body for the day ahead. Carbohydrates are responsible for giving our bodies energy. It makes bread a beneficial meal to start your day because you have the energy to make it through the usual mid-morning slump onto lunch.

5. Bread is Low in Fat

Many bread products have 0 grams of trans and saturated fats per serving. Unhealthy fats are those in butter or margarine. Use those spreads sparingly on your bread, and you’ll have a low- to no-fat meal to enjoy. In general, avoid trans-fat completely and cut down on saturated fats. These contribute to negative health impacts such as: Increased blood cholesterol, Increased LDL, or bad, cholesterol, Increased heart disease risk, and Higher risk of inflammation.

6. Bread Can Decrease the Risk of Cancer

According to the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), there is evidence that whole grains and foods with dietary fiber can decrease the risk of colorectal cancer. With fiber and whole grains involved in the research, certain bread products can help fight cancer.

Pinoy loves carbs, apart from rice, bread is, and will always be, a constant mealtime companion for Pinoys.

Stay healthy and safe!