Introduction
Bread is one of the main components of our daily diet. It is loved by everyone. With the growing health consciousness among people, one of the most pressing questions is whether they should eat White Bread or Brown Bread. Both are available on the market, and it is widely assumed that brown bread is healthier. However, this does not imply that white bread is a risky choice. There are a few differences between white bread and brown bread.
This blog post evaluates the various aspects in which brown bread differs from its white counterpart, majorly focusing on nutritional properties such as calories, nutrients etc.
White Bread vs Brown Bread: What are the differences
To know the difference between white bread and brown bread, it is important to consider a few factors that can help you to determine which bread is the right choice for you.
White Bread Vs Brown Bread Ingredients
What distinguishes a healthy bread from an unhealthy bread is not its colour, but rather how and from what it was made of. The ingredient we mostly try to avoid in our regular diet is the key ingredient in preparing white bread. White bread contains refined wheat flour, or maida, that has been bleached with chlorine dioxide gas and potassium bromate, making it unhealthy for consumption. Additionally, preservatives and additives like calcium peroxide, ammonium sulphate, and diglycerides are added to give it the milky white appearance. White bread also contains refined starch.
On the contrary, brown bread, otherwise known as wholemeal or whole-wheat bread, is prepared from 100% whole wheat, that is the wheat grains are not processed to remove bran and germ.
White vs. Brown Bread Nutritional Value
The most crucial factor when it comes to your health is definitely looking at the nutritional profile of the items on your plate. When it comes to nutrients, brown bread clearly outperforms white bread as it has naturally a higher composition of nutritional content. Magnesium, manganese, vitamins B and E, zinc, potassium, thiamine, niacin, and phosphorus are elements that are crucial for good health and are found in the bran in wheat flour. The majority of the nutrients are retained in brown bread since it is created from whole wheat grain that still has its outer layer on it. The long-term effects of whole grains on health are well established. In contrast to white bread, it makes the bread fiber-rich and healthy.
On the other hand, white bread lags far behind as it contains fewer amounts of nutrition and vitamins, and can be quite unhealthy. Wheat flour is bleached while making white bread using a variety of chemicals, including benzoyl peroxide, chlorine dioxide, and potassium bromate. Additionally, when creating white flour, additional starch is placed on top of the flour.
White Vs. Brown Bread Calories
The difference in the number of calories is not substantial. A slice of white bread contains 77 calories, while a slice of brown bread contains 75. This also implies that white bread may not be as harmful to your health as previously thought. However, although white bread may not be dangerous for the human body, it does have certain drawbacks. Brown bread is generally superior in terms of health benefits, owing to the fact that it provides an organic source of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in their actual quantity.
White & Brown Bread Glycemic Index
If you have diabetes, it is best to say goodbye to white bread. White bread is made with refined flour and has little to no fibre. As a result, it has a higher glycemic index (ability of carbohydrate to increase the level of sugar in the blood) and is not recommended for people, especially those with diabetes.
Whole wheat flour, on the other hand, is an essential ingredient in the preparation of brown bread. Because it contains higher levels of fiber than its white counterparts, brown bread may not spike blood sugar as steeply as white bread would.
Observational studies point to similar findings, linking brown bread consumption with a lower risk of being overweight or obese. Furthermore, brown bread contains a phytonutrient known as plant lignans, which may offer protection against breast cancer and heart disease.
White Bread and Brown Bread Texture
The texture of these two types of bread is also quite different. White bread is generally preferred for a variety of bread dishes due to its amazingly soft and tender texture than brown bread. Furthermore, white bread is sometimes infused with milk and extra refined sugar to make it tastier and softer.
Brown bread contains more bran, which pops the bubbles created during baking. As a result, it’s not as light and fluffy as white bread.
Final Thoughts
Is Brown Bread Better Than White Bread? The answer is a resounding yes! Brown bread may not be that tasty, but it brings you vital health benefits. The above comparison makes it clear that brown bread is nutritionally superior, and outperforms white bread in terms of health benefits and nutrient content. Since brown bread outperforms white bread in terms of health and nutrition in many ways, it should be preferred in most cases.
