Why are we rooting for sourdough bread you ask? Well, get ready to find out why with some really insightful information!

How is sourdough prepared? During the bread-making process, the starter, which is the mix of wild yeast, lactic acid bacteria, flour and water used to make sourdough, ferments the sugars in the dough, helping the bread rise and acquire its characteristic taste. Sourdough bread takes much longer to ferment and rise than other types of bread, which is what creates its particular texture.

Many of the registered dieticians recommend sourdough as a ‘gentler alternative’ to white bread, because of the many benefits it pertains:

• High nutrition value: Whole grain flour is rich in B vitamins, vitamin E, and a variety of minerals and antioxidants, yet they are removed when the flour is purified. Therefore, the advantage of sourdough is that the slow fermentation process improves the availability of these important nutrients, which increases their concentration and makes them easier for the body to absorb.
• Gluten-friendly: Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, and which some people find difficult to digest, leading to digestive issues. The advantage of sourdough bread for anyone with a sensitivity to gluten, is that the fermentation process pre-digests the gluten, (how cool is that!?) breaking down some of the indigestible proteins and making the bread easier on the stomach. Sourdough bread contains prebiotic- and probiotic-like properties which may help improve digestion.
• Fills up your belly: The longer your dough is fermented, the greater the amount of soluble fibers are present. Sourdough is also high in resistant starch, (very similar to fibers) which is usually undigested. This combination of soluble fibers and resistant starch generates a feeling of fullness, which keeps you satisfied for longer. Prolonged fermentation processes also increase the levels of organic acids in the bread, which slow down the breakdown of the carbohydrate in the body, helping to stabilize blood sugar levels and promote energy.<//li>