Is White Bread Bad for Your Health?

White bread made from wheat flour from which the bran and the germ layers have been removed and believed to harmful for health may not be so bad after all.

Over the years white bread has been labeled as harmful for health and wellness. TV nutritionists and health campaigners have referred to white bread as a ‘demon’ but contrary to the adverse publicity, white bread is a rich source of minerals and vitamins.

A recent research published in British Nutrition Foundation has rejected the age old myth that white bread can lead to bloating, increase in weight and wheat allergies.

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Dr Aine O’Connor, the lead researcher mentioned, “Health professionals need to dispel the myths. Bread is an important source of nutrition.”

Dr O’Connor stated that though white bread consumption is decreasing in Great Britain, yet obesity remains the major health concern. This reveals the fact that bread intake is not to be blamed for obesity.

‘Eating bread can help consumers to meet their daily requirements for many nutrients, including micronutrients for which there is evidence of low intake in some groups in the UK, such as zinc and calcium’ according to this nutrition scientist.

Dr O’Connor further added, “Wheat allergies have not risen even though many people incorrectly believe that they suffer from wheat intolerance due to what they are being told about bread.”

Research conducted in 2010 highlighted that people consuming pasta and white bread are twice more likely to suffer heart disease than those eating a more balanced diet.

White Bread Breakfast Raises Diabetes, Heart Disease and Cancer Risk
A study from the University of Sydney in Australia suggests that having a breakfast of white bread and sugar-rich cereals may make a person susceptible to diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer.

Reference:

O'Connor, A. (2012), An overview of the role of bread in the UK diet. Nutrition Bulletin, 37: 193–212. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-3010.2012.01975.

Bread is an Important Source of Nutrition
Eating bread is safe for your health contrary to the number of warnings that claim your health could be at risk.

Source-Medindia