If you’re into health, you probably prefer whole wheat bread over white bread. If you’re really a health aficionado, you probably stopped eating white bread altogether.
But science may not be on your side.
Researchers set out to answer this very question, is white bread unhealthy? Or, more specifically, is it less healthy than sourdough bread?
Putting White Bread to the Test
According to a study published in Cell Metabolism, no significant differences were found between the two breads when it came to clinical parameters.
Gut Microbiota
In the study, researchers looked at the participants’ gut microbiota and found changes to be person specific regardless of intervention.
That means that the type of bread the participants consumed played no significant role in affecting their gut microbiota.
The gut microbiota is important to our health since it performs several physiological functions.
Among other functions, it deals with digestion and helps produce vitamin B and K. It also helps the immune system.
The Critics
Despite the evidence, critics aren’t convinced.
Dismissing the results to a small sample size and short trial period or conflicts of interest, the skeptics believe that the study doesn’t reflect the picture accurately.
In the words of NHS.UK, ‘studies that suggest “everything you thought you knew about healthy eating is wrong” create great headlines, but rarely stand up to much analysis. There are many reasons why you might choose wholemeal bread over white bread, and results from a week-long study in 20 people aren’t going to change all of those.’
Either way, whole wheat bread has other benefits over white bread like fiber, notes NHS.UK.
So whole wheat may just have the last say.
Do you eat white bread?
Is white bread unhealthy in your opinion?
Please share in the comments below.