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5 Ways Sourdough Is Healthier Than Conventional Bread

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February 11, 2025
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In a world where passing on the bread basket is the trend, sourdough stands out. More and more people are talking about it, baking it, and eating it. Not only does sourdough have a unique tangy taste, but it’s also unique in its relationship to our health. In comparison to the average loaf of grocery store bread, sourdough bread is actually full of good things your standard loaf might be missing. Here are five ways sourdough is healthier than conventional bread.

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1. It’s one of the least processed breads you can eat.

Processed Sourdough, Unsplash
Credit: Unsplash

Sourdough bread dates back to 1,500 BC in ancient Egypt. It was the only form of leavened bread that existed until just a few centuries ago when commercial yeast became available. That means we’ve been eating this leavened bread longer than any others. It’s actually not as processed as other breads. In fact, it’s one of the least processed breads, and it hasn’t changed much with modernization. This makes it a healthier choice: Studies have found that highly processed foods correspond to negative health consequences, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and increased risk of mortality.

2. It’s a great source of prebiotics.

Prebiotics Probiotics Sourdough, Unsplash
Credit: Unsplash

The sourdough starter that causes sourdough bread to rise is full of living bacteria — the good kind! The starter is rich in both prebiotics and probiotics. While the sourdough bakes, the prebiotics survive the heat. The bacteria in our guts feed on these prebiotics and help produce nutrients for our bodies, leading to a healthier digestive system.

Read More: 8 Ways to Improve Gut Health That Aren’t Probiotics

3. It’s easier to digest than conventional bread.

Easier to Digest Sourdough, Unsplash
Credit: Unsplash

When sourdough bread is rising, the bacteria from the starter ferment the flour in the dough and pre-digest it. This means when you cut yourself a slice of sourdough, it’s easier to digest than conventional bread. If you have trouble digesting conventional bread or have a gluten sensitivity, you might not have a problem eating sourdough bread.

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4. It has more nutrients than conventional bread.

Nutrient Dense Sourdough, Unsplash
Credit: Unsplash

Once again, this is thanks to good bacteria and fermentation. When the bacteria in the sourdough starter breaks down the wheat, it also breaks down phytic acid. Naturally found in wheat, phytic acid blocks our bodies from absorbing many of the wheat’s vitamins and minerals. We absorb the good things like potassium, magnesium, zinc, and folate once the bread degrades.

Read more: Why You Should Eat Nutrient-Dense Foods + What That Really Means

5. It has a lower glycemic index than conventional bread.

Glycemic Sourdough, Unsplash
Credit: Unsplash

Many conventional breads can cause blood sugar levels to spike quickly — leaving you with an energy crash soon after. However, due to sourdough’s fermentation process, many of the sugars and starches in the flour break down and eat up the natural yeasts so there is less left in the baked bread than a conventional loaf. That means sourdough bread’s glycemic index — the number given to foods that measure how the carbohydrates in them affect blood glucose levels — is lower. So rather than having your blood sugar spike when you eat a slice of sourdough bread, it will remain much steadier, preventing an energy crash.

How to buy sourdough bread

To Buy Sourdough, Unsplash
Credit: Unsplash

I would argue that the best way to buy sourdough bread is not to buy it at all, but to make it. Baking bread from scratch has a reputation for being incredibly difficult, but I can tell you from experience that it’s actually pretty easy — and more importantly, it’s enjoyable. There are tons of tutorials online (I like this one) and once you get the hang of it, you may never go back to store-bought. However, know that not all sourdough bread is equal. Some sourdough bread does not have a long fermentation process and has added commercial yeasts, especially some packaged sourdough bread you find in stores. This type of sourdough bread can still be delicious but it won’t have the same health benefits.

Instead, buy it at from-scratch bakeries and farmers markets. It might be a little more expensive, but it’s worth it. And, for the most nutrients, opt for whole wheat sourdough bread.

Read more on Clean Plates

Ways Sourdough Is Healthier More, Unsplash
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