Mar 18, 2025
Story at-a-glance
- Our ancestors consumed large quantities of bread (up to 16 pounds weekly for men and 8 pounds for women in the 1880s) without widespread digestive issues seen today. Pre-harvest desiccation with glyphosate (increased 400% in two decades) leaves residues in wheat products that may disrupt gut microbiome and contribute to digestive disorders
- Modern wheat varieties have been selectively bred for higher yields and industrial processing compatibility rather than nutritional value or digestibility. The shift from slow fermentation methods to quick-rise commercial yeast has also eliminated the microbial diversity and protein breakdown that made traditional bread nutritious and easier to digest
- "Enriched flour" contains synthetic nutrients and iron shards (ferrous sulfate) that can contribute to oxidative stress and may not provide the intended health benefits
- Traditional sourdough fermentation breaks down gluten proteins (particularly gliadin) by more than 50% over 24 hours, making bread more digestible for many people with sensitivities
- Most commercial bread contains hidden additives like inflammatory seed oils and harmful chemicals like potassium bromate (banned in many countries but not the U.S.)