New Study Reveals Why You Should Consider Eating More Rye Bread

As time changes, so does science, and it's not always easy to keep up with what's considered healthy. Remember when we were all drinking copious amounts of whole milk? (Still, drinking milk every day can affect your body by giving it nutrients and minerals like calcium, per Healthline).

For years, we've been told that bread is bad — so much so that WW and Oprah Winfrey made the consumption of bread an actual selling point for their healthy eating plan. However, in the same way grilled chicken is a healthier alternative to fried chicken, there are plenty of bread types that won't result in an influx of simple sugars. Some breads are actually naturally quite healthy.

The classic white bread loaf is best avoided if you're maintaining a low-sugar diet. Plus, per Medical News Today, white bread doesn't have a ton of health benefits to counteract its carbohydrate and sugar content. However, other alternatives, such as rye bread, can actually do wonders for your health.

You might want to eat more rye bread

Different types of bread provide different areas and amounts of nutrition. Whole wheat and whole grain bread contains complex carbohydrates that digest slowly, giving your body energy over a longer period of time, according to the American Heart Association. On the other hand, Livestrong explains that pumpernickel bread is a great alternative to white bread for those with type 2 diabetes.

Still, those looking to improve their gut health might want to consume more rye bread. In a recent study published in Nutrients, scientists measured the intake of rye foods compared with refined wheat foods in adults over a 12-week period. The findings suggested that high-fiber rye consumption helped reduce inflammation in the gut and was "associated with improvements in metabolic risk markers," per the study. In its most digestible terms (pun intended), rye bread promotes gut health.

In addition to consuming high-fiber rye bread, sourdough bread has been shown to benefit gut health, according to EatingWell. When looking for the best bread for your gut, pay attention to its fiber content as well as whether it's made with whole grains. EatingWell says the whole grains in bread will provide additional nutritional benefits.