are there any health benefits to sourdough bread?

[Attila the Honey]

I mean, above and beyond whatever health benefits there may be to regular old bread.

[SuperStar]

I was just reading the other day about how soaked grains are good and non-soaked grains are bad. (I think I read it online but I can't remember where exactly ). Apparently sourdough bread falls into the soaked variety. Quickbreads don't but I don't think he said anything about regular yeast breads.

Hmmm....does that help?

[reeseccup]

REAL sourdough is furmented wild yeasts...so yes it is a healthy choice of bread, esp. if you can make or find a wheat/rye sourdough.

[Attila the Honey]

yeah, I made it with wheat flour, and it was the tastiest and nicest looking loaf of bread I've ever made, but I was just wondering if it's better for you too.

[Rosie_Kate]

Long-fermentation (where all the flour is soured) sourdough bread, and especially if it's made with a wild yeast starter, is much easier to digest. The souring -soaking- process breaks down the antinutrients in the grains and makes all the nutrients available to the body for use. It's much easier to digest and healthier for the body than regular bread.

For more info, I highly recommend Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon.

[marilynmama]

I love sourdough!

It is also a low GI food, like 100% whole wheat.

[bonbon mama]

i thought i'd read that most commercial yeast is gmo, now--so if you were to start your starter with organic grape skins or potatoes you would have a naturally occurring yeast

[reeseccup]

or use organic flour to grab your own wild yeast from your home/area.

[ShannonCC]

Or send away for this

you can get a sourdough starter, born of the famous Carl's
starter, which apparently originated in an 1847 treck across
the Oregon Trail! You can get a free packet and read how to
get it going and maintained at:


http://home.att.net/~carlsfriends/

Can you use whole wheat flour for sourdough?

[Attila the Honey]

Yes, I made it with whole wheat flour and it came out great. Nice crust, chewy and light inside.

The starter was just whole wheat flour and water left to bubble for a few days. No added yeast, no grapeskins.Here is a good site that explains how to make your own sourdough.

[reeseccup]

I use organic rye flour MMMMMMMMMMMMM.

[babybugmama]

Originally Posted by Attila the Honey

Yes, I made it with whole wheat flour and it came out great. Nice crust, chewy and light inside.

The starter was just whole wheat flour and water left to bubble for a few days. No added yeast, no grapeskins.Here is a good site that explains how to make your own sourdough.

What a great site!