Artisan bread refers to the handcrafted methods of making bread like Sourdough. It involves traditional methods of baking following the slow fermentation process, unlike commercial breads found in supermarkets. Artisan breads are free from additives and preservatives, making them a natural and healthy choice for many.
However, due to the absence of these additives, the shelf life of artisan bread is not as long as store-bought bread. While you can store commercial bread for nearly a week, artisan bread must be consumed within 1-2 days.
So why are so many people switching to artisan bread?
In this article, we will discover why artisanal Breads are a healthier choice than mass-produced breads. If you think the difference lies only in taste, well, think again.
Why are Commercial Breads Unhealthy?
Mass-produced breads are made by machines at scale, which means the love, care, and patience that goes into artisan bread is missing in commercial breads.
While commercial breads were a life-saver for the masses during the Industrial Revolution, they did not pose health benefits. They prioritize cheap ingredients and speed of baking over nutritional value. Here are some major drawbacks of commercial bread:
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Added Sugars
Commercial breads use sugars like corn syrup, which has a high fructose content. What is worse, these sugars are hidden in the dough to render extra texture and flavour. Thus, eating commercial bread contributes to high blood sugar levels, which is unhealthy, especially for diabetic people.
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Artificial Preservatives
Artificial preservatives are added to commercial breads to extend their shelf life. While this was particularly the turning point in making bread available to the masses, it compromised the bread’s natural freshness.
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Dough Conditioners
Commercial breads also have chemical dough conditioners and additives. Chemicals like azodicarbonamide are used to speed up the production process and produce thousands of loaves in a day. While commercial bread is produced faster due to chemical dough conditioners, it also raises potential health concerns.
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Excess Sodium
Commercial breads also use salt during the production phase. High salt content in breads can lead to high blood pressure and can be particularly concerning for heart patients.
What Makes Artisanal Breads a Healthy Choice?
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Easy-to-digest
Artisanal Bread follows a time-honoured approach, using the long fermentation process. This slow fermentation breaks down the starch and gluten in artisanal breads, making them easier to digest and gut-friendly. Breads like sourdough are thus ideal for those with digestion sensitivity.
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High Nutritional Value
Artisan bread makers often use whole grains and other nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fibre. The flour is also made organically free from machines. This is in contrast to the machine refined white flour, which loses its nutritional value in the process.
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Gut-friendly
Whole grain artisan breads like Sourdough are a natural source of probiotics, which are essentially good bacteria. These bacteria work towards a healthy gut microbiome, which enhances the overall well-being of your gut and digestive systems.
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Balances Blood Sugar Levels
Artisanal Breads have a lower glycemic index, which contributes to fewer blood sugar imbalances. Commercially produced white breads can cause sudden blood sugar spikes, which can be harmful. Sourdough and whole grain artisan breads reduce fluctuations in blood sugar levels and promote a healthy balance.
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Organic Ingredients
Artisan breads follow simple, natural, and organic ingredients like flour, water, yeast, and salt. It does not contain artificial preservatives, additives, sugar, or sodium that are prevalent in white breads.
Novaks Bakery: Adding Delicious Nourishment to your Breakfasts
At Novaks Bakery, we believe in the power of artisan bread. Using wholesome ingredients and the traditional art of bread making, our artisan bread is rich in flavour, texture, aroma, and nutritional value. We carefully source the finest ingredients locally and follow time-honoured recipes to bake artisan bread that is as healthy as they are delicious.
Switch to healthier and tastier bread and make a sustainable choice every morning. At Novaks Bakery, we take pride in redefining the art of traditional bread making which results in a happier taste bud and palate.