Page 22 - Florida Sentinel 5-20-22

Health
1. Ezekiel Bread
Ezekiel bread is one of the healthiest store-bought bread options considering it’s made with a blend of whole grains and seeds.
It’s free from preservatives, additives, and artificial flavors and colors, which is why it’s usu- ally found in the freezer section of grocery stores. (Otherwise it would spoil quickly.)
Ezekiel bread is a type of sprouted grain bread that is pre- pared using traditional methods of soaking, sprouting and baking, which studies show make the grains and seeds easier to digest and their nutrients more ab- sorbable. Reports suggest that sprouting also increases concen- trations of crude fiber, which benefits our digestive systems by
pushing waste and toxins out of the gut and regulating bowel movements.
2. Sprouted Grain Bread
Which bread is best for weight loss? If dropping weight is one of your main goals, you want to opt for high-fiber, low- calorie breads, such as those made with sprouted grains.
Studies show higher whole grain consumption is linked to benefits like easier weight man- agement, protection against type 2 diabetes and even enhanced protection against certain types of cancer.
3. Sourdough Bread
What makes real sourdough bread healthy? This is a tradi- tional type of bread with a very long history that is made with only three basic ingredients: flour (preferably whole grain flour), water and salt.
Not only does sourdough bread stand out in terms of its flavor, but it’s also thought to have some nutritional advan- tages too, including more ab-
sorbable nutrients, such as sele- nium, B vitamins, folate, man- ganese, iron and others.
4. Rye Bread
Is rye bread healthy? If you choose a traditionally made rye bread that is made with whole grain rye flour and is low in added sugar, then yes it is.
Rye seeds, also called rye berries, are grains high in fiber and beneficial compounds that have the ability to help fight against inflammatory markers, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, weight gain and high blood pres- sure. Rye flour, when used in baking, contains much less gluten than wheat and barley, which means it’s a good choice for those who are sensitive to gluten’s effects.
5. Pumpernickel
Pumpernickel is a type of dark brown bread that originated in Germany. It’s traditionally made using methods of fermen- tation and long, slow baking at a low temperature, which is par- tially what gives it its dark color.
Traditionally, this type of bread been made with coarsely ground rye flour and rye grains, sometimes combined with whole wheat flour or some white flour. The healthiest types contain mostly rye and whole wheat, giv- ing it a higher fiber content and lower glycemic index score.
Whole grain pumpernickel is high in resistant starch and fiber, plus manganese, selenium, phos- phorus, B vitamins and copper.
Bread has earned a bad reputation among dieters and health enthu- siasts, but the truth is there are many different types of breads in exis- tence, some of which have been eaten for thousands of years and offer a number of health benefits. What is the healthiest bread you can eat? Keep reading to discover the top healthiest bread options and their benefits.
PAGE 10-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022