White Bread vs Brown vs Multigrain: Which Bread Is Harming Your Body?

In the world of bread, not every type of bread is created equal, but it’s useful to understand the differences for your health. 

White bread is made from a refined flour that is milled to separate the bran and germ. In doing so, it loses pretty much all of the fibre, vitamins, and minerals from that grain. That is what makes bread healthy. White bread gives the body rapid spikes in blood sugar while providing low satiety as it is also vanishingly short on nutrient content. All bread (to varying degrees) can be problematic if eaten excessively, but research has shown that frequent consumption of white bread contributes to higher body weight, higher cholesterol, and increased incidence of heart disease and Type II diabetes.

Brown bread has often been pretended as a healthy option but this is deceiving in many cases. Real brown bread, or whole wheat bread still has the bran and germ part of the grain and contains far healthier fibre, B vitamins and minerals that are needed to support digestion and blood sugar management. Brown bread marketed as brown, often gets its brown colour from caramel or molasses, and will still be devoid of any nutritional benefit.

Multigrain bread can have a few different grains (e.g., oats, barley, millet). If they say it’s a whole grain multigrain bread, it can have a good range of nutrients and fiber. However, some use refined grains as well as a good source of nutrients using half milled flour, so check the ingredients. 

In a nutshell, whole wheat or whole grain multi grain breads which are naturally high in fiber and nutrients tend to be better for digestive health, blood sugar control, and heart health than their highly processed or artificially brown cousins. When selecting a multigrain bread, we want to take care that your bread is made with whole grains, as well as not made with all kinds of additives.

This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional dietary advice. Individual health needs vary. Consult a nutritionist or healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes.