The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Sourdough fountain of youth?

PaddyL's picture
PaddyL

Sourdough fountain of youth?

This is just something I've noticed since I started making and eating sourdough bread regularly for the past 8 months or so:  my gray hair is growing in quite dark at the roots.  I first noticed my eyebrows had become darker a couple of months ago, but sure enough, the hair on my head is now coming in much darker and is quite noticable.  So I googled health benefits of sourdough and came up with some interesting studies, one of which claims that there's a better absorption of iron in the eating of sourdough bread.  The only major change in my diet in the past nine months has been sourdough bread consumption, and since I haven't a clue whom to ask about this, I thought I'd mention it here in case anyone else has noticed any changes in their health since eating sourdough bread.

gavinc's picture
gavinc

I hope you're right.  I'll watch this thread with interest.  I know from experience that when adding ground seaweed (kelp) to our Border Collie's food it kept his coat dark; but don't try it, as it tastes awfull!  :-)

 

PaddyL's picture
PaddyL

My parents went through a kelp phase, in tablet form, and it made their hair turn black.  Didn't do much for their personalities, though.  Then they hit on Royal Jelly which lasted only as long as it took my mother to cut herself badly when opening one of the glass vials.  I've e-mailed a local health specialist to see if there's anything to my suspicions about sourdough, and I'll let you know if I hear anything.

PaddyL's picture
PaddyL

My sister saw the doctor today, and her iron which has been low for months, is back to normal.  As I've said, the only major change in our diets has been sourdough bread.

Janedo's picture
Janedo

In France sourdough is recognized as having MANY virtues. An example is improved intestinal flora, which we all know makes a huge difference for overall health.

When I eat sourdough I feel good, when I eat yeast bread, I don't feel the same effects. I do eat yeast bread, but more as a treat.

Jane

gavinc's picture
gavinc

I've been searching for research material that is evidence based, but as yet can't find any.  I've found a lot of general statements in support of our suppositions, and I too can atest to not experiencing indigestion like I used to before becoming a sourdough fanatic.  Does any one know of any reliable evidence based research on this topic?

PaddyL, keep us informed if you discover anything.

Regards,

Gavin

Eli's picture
Eli

I found this article months ago, not this particular one. I found it interesting.

http://www.sheknows.com/articles/804898.htm

edit: there have been other post here on TFL re: this subject. Also, I don't mean to insult the baker of the loaf in the link picture but it looks like a store loaf.

eli

PaddyL's picture
PaddyL

I e-mailed one person in Montreal, but if it doesn't occur to him first, he's not interested, so I e-mailed Terry Graham at the University of Guelph, the man who wrote the original article about sourdough and blood sugar.  I have found out simply by googling various aspects of sourdough, that the lengthy fermentation tends to kill something called phytates which hinder the absorption of minerals in wheat, like zinc, potassium, and iron.  So eating sourdough bread actually helps one to absorb these minerals.  I'm thinking that it's the iron that's turning our hair dark, and since my sister's iron levels were normal after having been quite low because of her cancer medications, that that must have been the daily consumption of sourdough bread.  As I've said before, sourdough is the only major change we have made to our diets in the past 8 months, so there has to be something to this.  When and if I hear anything from Dr. Graham, I'll let you know.

dmsnyder's picture
dmsnyder

I've been eating sourdough bread for some 60 years. My hair has turned gray, and it has gotten thin on top. I must not be eating enough.

David

gavinc's picture
gavinc

try the kelp!