Once upon a time, bread was made with flour, water, salt and yeast and took between eight and 20 hours to produce.
In the early 20th century, bakers experimented with various mechanised techniques to speed up breadmaking. In 1961 the Chorleywood bread process changed everything. Invented by UK scientists, the Chorleywood method allows a loaf to go from flour to sliced and packaged in about three and a half hours using high speed mixers and the addition of extra yeast and dough-improving chemicals.
The bread you buy in the supermarket has the texture and substance it has for one reason only: so that it can be made on an industrial scale and have a longer shelf life.
Did you know that store bought bread is made with genetically modified *(GMO) ingredients?
*Genetically modified organisms are organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering.
The African Centre for Biosafety submitted samples of white bread sold in shops around the country, to a GMO testing facility. This test focused on whether we are given enough information to make a sound decision about the food we eat. The results are not only scary and appalling, but they are also a true indication of how food has changed over the years. Without our approval, government has permitted Monsanto to trade in genetically modified seed, permitting the use of toxic chemicals such as Roundup, thus impacting the environment and us. Mostly the labeling on bread is deceiving and reads ‘may be genetically modified’ .
GM soya
Store bought bread contains high percentages of genetically modified (GM) soya. GM soya is harmful to the human body. Research shows that genetically modified foods are linked to serious health problems such as allergies, the development of cancer tumours, infertility and birth defects. GMOs are also sprayed with dangerous herbicides such as glyphosate, which has been implicated in kidney disease among adults.
Dead Bread
Apart from bread, specifically white bread, being genetically modified, white bread can be classified as “dead bread” All the properties needed for the bread to be nutritious are stripped off.
- White bread has no fibre
- White bread is bleached with chemicals to get the white colour. These chemicals have side effects. During the bleaching process all the nutrients are lost.
- Store bought bread is stuffed with preservatives to increase its shelf life.
How does this affect your body?
- White bread contains gluten, a protein which causes digestive issues such as bloating, fatigue and in some cases stomach cramps. For people suffering from asthma, gluten, and all the additives and chemicals added aggravate the condition. Gluten as the name indicates is a glue like substance which is mucus forming in the body. Too much mucus in the body prevents the absorption of nutrients and toxins can’t get out.
- White bread has no fibre, therefore it is hard to digest which causes constipation and bloating.
- Commercial white bread contains sugar. Sugar is the main leading cause of obesity
- White bread is highly acidic. An acidic body is a breeding ground for illnesses, as bacteria, yeast, fungus and mould thrive in such an environment.
All this is not only limited to white bread, but to all types of wheat bread including, refined rolls, croissants, bagels, pizza crust and more.
Just because most of us are eating white bread sandwiches in packed lunches, does not mean that we should ignore the dangers of eating white bread and that we should not make a healthy change.
Source: Healthmakers
