White bread helps boost gut’s ‘good’ microbes: study

June 13, 2014, Spain – Scientists are
reporting that white bread seems to encourage the growth of
beneficial gut bacteria. A study in ACS’ Journal of
Agricultural and Food Chemistry also suggests that when looking at
effects of food on our “microbiomes,” or our guts, considering the whole diet is critical.

June 13, 2014, Spain – Scientists are now
reporting that white bread seems to encourage the growth of
beneficial gut bacteria. A study in ACS’ Journal of
Agricultural and Food Chemistry also suggests that when looking at
effects of food on our “microbiomes,” considering the whole diet is critical.

Sonia González and
colleagues note that the bacteria in our guts, or our microbiome, play
an important role in our health. When certain populations of bacteria
drop, people become more prone to disease.

González and her team analyzed dietary data from 38 healthy adults to determine which bacteria were present in the
participants’ stool samples. Their analysis indicated that pectin, a
compound in citrus fruits, lowers the levels of some helpful bacteria.

The study also found that
white bread boosted Lactobacillus, a group of beneficial bacteria, said the researchers in a summary of the study's results.

Read the full summary.