The superpower of sourdough.

Whenever our Naturopath, Herbal Medicine Practitioner and Scientific Lead, Dr Martins is asked about one small step that can change the quality of our diet, she suggests swapping out factory bread for sourdough.

This nutty, chewy, gnarly, beautiful loaf can be traced back to 2500 BC and carries a significant nutritional punch. The fermentation process that takes place in the loaf gives the bread a lower glycemic index, supporting blood sugar balance. The presence of microbes in every loaf ups its health-giving properties further, feeding our gut microbiota to produce the good bacteria it needs to flourish. 

But we are now learning that something special takes place in the very act of the making too. It appears that these microbes are transferred onto bakers during the kneading process; delivering valuable prebiotics in thanks! Even more fascinating to me is that it appears that women, particularly, alter the properties of sourdough. And that, when the ‘mother’ is preserved, the imprint of that female can travel 1000s of miles, continents even - linking sourdough profiles across generations and countries. Researchers believe women, perhaps because they were often the primary food maker in history, have more lactic acid bacteria on their hands. And when we knead as we bake, the lactic acid bacteria transfers to the sourdough starter, increasing the lactic acid content, contributing to our energy, helping immunity, and fuelling pretty much every cell in our body.

In The Food Programme, The Sourdough Library, Dan Saladino takes us on a fascinating journey through its history and also what has been revealed by analysing thousands of sourdough cultures from around the world. 

There is something rather beautiful about reflecting on the love that goes into the knead passing on from person to plate, and nourishing us from within. But also, something in the symbolism inherent in the breaking of bread, the sense of community, and the glue that women bring to spaces that makes this insight particularly special.

So the message this weekend?

If you’ve not tried making sourdough, now is the time. Find your starter. You can tap into the Sourdough Library HERE  or tap up a friend. Nourish it and it will nourish you. Pass it on and let love and wellness spread.