In this regard, Dr. Nethra N., a consultant in Internal Medicine at Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru, spoke with Hindustan Times. She said that although brown bread is considered healthier than white bread, that is not always true. The nutritional value of bread does not depend on its color; it depends on the type of flour used, how it is processed, and what ingredients are added.
She said that bread made from whole-wheat flour is a healthy choice, because it retains the wheat bran, germ, and endosperm. As a result, it is a good source of fiber, B vitamins, and minerals. Fiber improves digestion, keeps you full for longer, and helps control blood sugar.
However, Dr. Nethra said that many brown breads in the market are actually made from refined flour; ingredients such as caramel or molasses are used to give a brown color. Although these breads look healthy, their nutritional value may be the same as white bread, and in some cases they may contain extra sugar, salt, or fat.
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As advice, she said: when buying bread, do not look at the color or advertising; look at the ingredient list. Buy only if it says ‘whole wheat flour’ or ‘whole grain flour’. ‘Multigrain’ or ‘brown’ does not mean the product is made from 100% whole grains. Choose products by comparing the amount of fiber, added sugar, and sodium.