Freezing bread can aid diabetics: Health benefits explored
Freezing food is a common practice that allows for extending the shelf life of many food products. From fresh vegetables and fruits to ready-made meals, everything that we can't eat within the next few days often ends up in home freezers. Bread is also stored at sub-zero temperatures. Scientists from the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" have closely analyzed the composition of frozen bread and its impact on the body.
Many people freeze bread for practical reasons, so they always have a "fresh," in this case defrosted, loaf on hand. Few consider its composition, nutritional value, and effect on the digestive system. Meanwhile, it turns out that freezing bread has specific consequences that significantly impact health. The topic is particularly important for people suffering from type 2 diabetes.
How does freezing bread affect its composition?
The main component of white bread is starch, which belongs to the carbohydrate group, i.e., sugars. In wheat bread, it constitutes about 80%, which is why we feel a sudden burst of energy after eating a sandwich with such bread. However, for people with diabetes, such a sudden rise in blood sugar levels is not advisable. Freezing bread might prove helpful.
As a result of freezing, the starch contained in bread undergoes retrogradation, changing its structure. It transforms into so-called resistant starch, resistant to gut bacteria. This means it is not so easily absorbed by the body. Undigested in the small intestine, it moves to the large intestine and is only there digested by bacteria, resulting in the production of butyrate, a fatty acid with positive effects on the digestive system.
Bread with a low glycemic index
To further lower the glycemic index, you can warm up the defrosted bread in a toaster or oven. However, do not defrost this bread in advance, as it becomes hard much faster. Also, remember to use appropriately sealed containers. Do not use ordinary "lunch bags"—zipper bags are much better, and you can buy them cheaply in bulk.
Freezing bread is an effective way to reduce food waste. Such bread can be stored in the freezer for no longer than three months.
