Why Too Much Bread Is Unhealthy?

Bread has a very symbolic place in our society. We all earn our bread and butter. We 'break bread' in appreciation of God's grace. And even without the mythical references, bread forms the staple diet for a majority of people around the world. However, eating too much bread can be unhealthy. We cannot say that bread is totally unhealthy. But if you eat bread as daily meal, it will do you more harm than good.

It will shock many people know that something as basic as bread can be unhealthy. But you surely know that bread contains an excess of carbohydrates and no other nutrients. We talk about whole wheat bread and multigrain bread. After all, whole cereal bread is just a little less unhealthy compared to white bread that has refined carbohydrates. Besides, bread has only carbohydrates and no other nutrients.

Bread is also unhealthy because it spikes your blood sugar levels. Moreover it also has high amounts of bad cholesterol. One of the lesser know health problems associated with bread is that, it causes acidity. And this stands true even for brown bread.

Here are some of the reasons why you should not eat too much bread.

Gluten Food

Gluten Food

Breads come under the category of gluten foods. They are rich in starch, sugar and bad cholesterol. Until and unless you eat gluten-free breads you are not safe. But gluten breads are not easily available in most bakeries.

Almost No Nutrition

Almost No Nutrition

Breads have no nutrients in them apart from being rich in carbohydrates. They do not even provide very high amounts of roughage.

Is It Really Brown?

Is It Really Brown?

Most brown breads are not whole wheat breads. They are just brown in colour because of the soy content. It is very difficult to find bread that is actually wholegrain.

Bad Cholesterol Rich

Bad Cholesterol Rich

Breads have no good cholesterol. All the cholesterol they add to your body will be used to clog your arteries.

Spikes Blood Sugar

Spikes Blood Sugar

Bread has very low glycemic index. As soon as you eat bread, it spikes your blood sugar levels immediately. So for diabetics, bread is very unhealthy.

Causes Acidity

Causes Acidity

Bread has lots of yeast. Many people find it difficult to digest yeast. Thus bread is known for causing acidity and gas in many people who have a weak digestive system.

High Sodium Content

High Sodium Content

Not only does bread have a high sugar content, but it can also raise the calcium content in your body. When you have bread in the form of burger, pizza or sandwiches, it adds a lot of unwarranted salt to your body.

Chance Of Yeast Infection

Chance Of Yeast Infection

Sometimes, if the yeast used in bread is not of good quality or the bread is not baked properly, then it causes yeast infection in the stomach. This can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women.

Not Filling

Not Filling

Bread has lots of calories but in the end, its is not a filling meal. You have 2 rotis or 1 bowl of rice, you will feel full for a couple of hours. But bread does not weigh heavy on your stomach.

Makes You Bloat

Makes You Bloat

Eating too much bread makes you put on weight. If you are trying to go on a diet, you have to cut down on your consumption of bread.

Constipation

Constipation

Breads are not exactly fibre rich. They contain flour in large amounts and we all know that flour is a binder. That is why eating too much bread causes constipation.

Story first published: Friday, March 29, 2013, 11:25 [IST]
Read more about: food nutrition health