Gastritis is a painful condition, which is inflammation of the lining of the stomach. It further causes bloating, nausea, burning stomach, and indigestion. A number of diets are recommended to ease symptoms and prevent worsening a condition.
Many people think that bread is also bad for gastritis because of its being acidic in nature. However, it is slightly acidic with a pH range between 5 and 6.5, that’s why many people avoid eating it.
But, bread is very near to a neutral score of 7. So, is it still bad for gastritis?
As bread is an alkaline-forming food, it is considered suitable for gastritis when consumed in moderation. Though there are different types of bread, each type has a different pH level. Wheat bread has a pH level of about 6, while rye bread has a pH of about 5. The pH of white bread is between 5 and 5.5; however, gluten bread is more neutral than all types, with a pH level of 6.5.
Before talking about the role of bread during gastritis, you should know some facts about eating bread. It is a healthy diet for your body that is rich in nutrients such as carbohydrates and vegetable protein in the form of albumin, gluten, and vitamins.
Experts believe that half of the daily calorie intake should be covered by carbohydrates[1]https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/diet.htm, and two pieces of bread can provide you with 50 to 60 g of carbohydrates.
What kind of bread can I eat with gastritis?
Experts suggest that dry bread slices are good if you have gastritis symptoms. So eating white dried bread during gastritis is fine. Usually, dry bread is recommended over fresh bread because it can reduce enzyme activity.
Bread is generally not considered much bad for gastritis. However, among all types, 100 % whole grain bread is generally considered a fine choice for people with gastritis symptoms.
Bread is an excellent source of dietary fibers that helps to keep our digestive system healthy and controls cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels, and makes us feel fuller for longer; that’s why it also proves good in weight loss diet.
Does bread help with gastritis?
Bread is considered healthy and the favorite diet of many people worldwide. They are a great source of fiber and help to absorb stomach acid.
Previously bread was considered harmful for health, but the latest studies[2]https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04677881 have proved that it is beneficial for human health in many ways and encourages the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
It also keep our digestive system healthy and strong. Though, it is not beneficial for gastritis but it is not considered as bad for this condition. So taking it in moderation will not trigger the symptoms of gastritis.
What is the nutritional value of bread?
Bread is the most loved food with a wide variety of flavors, tastes, ingredients, and nutrients. It is an excellent source of carbohydrates that give our body the energy that it needs.
Also, it plays a key role in balancing the glucose level in the blood. Some types of bread also have high fiber content that strengthens the operation of the digestive system. Some of the types have vegetal protein of low nutritional value and few fats.
Bread is also a good source of vitamin B, which contributes to protein and cell substitution metabolism.
Vitamin E is a beneficial antioxidant that contributes to dissolving clots forming in blood, also micronutrients like potassium, calcium, iron, and selenium. It is good for our health in many ways, such as it plays an important role in cell development and oxygenation, calcium contributes to strengthening the bones and overall fitness and health, potassium helps to balance cells operation, while selenium is a powerful antioxidant.
Is wheat bread bad for gastritis?
If you have been suffering from gastritis symptoms, you can still consume wheat bread as it will not trigger its symptoms. Wheat bread is made with whole grains and still contains all three components: the kernel’s bran, germ, and endosperm.
Keeping all three components make this bread more nutritious and healthy.
Moreover, it also contains more protein and fiber than white bread. It is loaded with zinc, carbohydrates, folic acid, and iron and includes two nutrients that support oxygen circulation.
Is sourdough bread bad for gastritis?
Sourdough bread is a great type of fermented bread that provides healthy probiotics that are beneficial to heal your gut, which is helpful in reducing inflammation. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, which your body can absorb easily.
Sourdough bread is easy to digest for many as compared to white bread. Studies [3]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5890289/ show that this type of bread acts as prebiotics, which means that the fiber in the bread helps to feed the good bacteria in your intestine.
Sourdough bread is an excellent source of antibiotics, such as peptides that can lower the risk of cancer, signs of aging, and certain chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
Is banana bread bad for gastritis?
Bananas, separately, are not recommended to many people as it causes gas and bloating because of their sorbitol and soluble fiber content. However, banana bread which gives a very delicious taste, is not a good choice for people who have gastritis symptoms.
Nonetheless, due to the presence of mono-saturated fats, banana bread can provide you with healthy fats. It can be a great food to enjoy occasionally; however, you should avoid taking it too much.
Is garlic bread bad for gastritis?
If we separately talk about garlic, researchers [4]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4849679/ prove that eating it is beneficial for gastritis.
Crushed garlic is proven good to ease the symptoms of gastritis. However, eating garlic bread when you are suffering from gastritis symptoms is not bad, though it can help to prevent the symptoms.
Garlic bread is also associated with some other benefits. It is loaded with fiber and many other nutrients, helps regulate blood sugar levels, stimulates the immune system, and prevents certain heart diseases.
Is gluten-free bread bad for gastritis?
Gluten-free bread is made with all types of grains and legume flour which are typically free of gluten, including almonds, millet, buckwheat, chickpeas, and quinoa. It is usually denser than wheat-based bread and has a shorter shelf life.
Gluten-free bread cannot be made with low-quality bleached wheat flour and uses other sources of ingredients to provide flavor and texture. It is also not considered bad if you have symptoms of gastritis, so it is safe to eat during this condition.
Is wholemeal bread bad for gastritis?
Wholemeal bread is an excellent source of carbohydrates, protein, minerals, and vitamins. It is also low in fat. Moreover, minerals and vitamins are more in wholemeal than white bread. It is easier to digest than wholegrain.
Wholemeal bread is close to a neutral diet with a pH level of about 6.5. It is the most recommended diet to ease gastritis.
You might be interested : 1 week gastritis diet plan
Is eating bread healthy?
Bread is rich in carbohydrates, poor in micronutrients, and its gluten and anti-nutrient content can cause problems for people. Thus, it is often enriched with extra nutrients, and varieties of whole grains or germinates can provide numerous benefits. In moderation, it can be appreciated as part of a healthy diet.
Some of its benefits are given below;
- Bread is a great source of protein which is helpful in our body for proper growth.
- They are loaded in vitamins and minerals, including B group vitamins which are needed for releasing energy from food and are important to maintaining healthy skin, nails, and eyes.
- They are low in calories, so they prove a great diet if you want to lose weight.
- They also contain low in sugar, which is good for teeth and helps maintain weight.
- White bread can provide you with 30% of recommended daily intake of calcium which is needed to maintain healthy bones and teeth.
- Wholemeal bread is a source of dietary fiber, which is helpful in keeping the digestive system healthy.
- They can also provide iron necessary for energy and concentration, healthy blood, and a healthy immune system.
