YOUR HEALTH

Dr. Jerry Lee Hoover N.D. Dr. Hoover Costa Rica for three years. He is a Doctor of Naturopathy and operated a Natural Health Clinic in Florida. He have written many articles that have been published in Health magazines in the U.S. and has authored a book titled Natural Medicine which has also been translated into Spanish.  Dr. Hoover likes living in Costa Rica and enjoys sharing health information that can be beneficial to all those who read it.  If you are interested in additional information on other topics you can purchase his book NATURAL MEDICINE by contacting me at my E-Mail address: DrJerryLeeHooverND@Yahoo.com

WHITE BREAD Vs. WHOLE WHEAT BREAD
By Dr. Jerry Lee Hoover N.D.


Is there really a big difference between a loaf of white bread and a loaf of whole wheat bread? 

Yes, yes, yes, there is a tremendous difference! 

Wheat comes with an outer protective coating. This protects the wheat from deterioration, from oxidation and rancidity. This outer coating is also high in nutrients and many of these are lost when the whole wheat flour is refined into white flour. 

During the refining process, 24 vitamins and minerals have been removed. Then 4 or 5 of these nutrients are later re-added to the flour and they label it enriched white flour, but in actuality when you take away 24 vitamins and minerals and replace only 4 or 5 of them it is not enriched at all.

Listed in the following chart is a partial list of vitamins and minerals found in whole wheat flour (listed at 100%) and then the percentage found in white flour that has been refined. 

Vitamins & Minerals Whole Wheat Flour White Flour

B1 (vitamin) 100% 14%
B2 (vitamin) 100% 30%
B6 (vitamin) 100% 40%
Folic Acid (vitamin) 100% 30%
Niacin (vitamin) 100% 14%
Biotin (vitamin) 100% 10%
Pantothonic Acid (vitamin) 100% 46%
Calcium (mineral) 100% 50%
Iron (mineral) 100% 16%
Phosphorus (mineral) 100% 22%
Copper (mineral) 100% 25%
Magnesium (mineral) 100% 28%
Manganese (mineral) 100% 29%
Food Fiber 100% 13%

As this chart clearly shows, there is a big loss of nutrients when whole wheat flour is refined into white flour. Many individuals believe that whole wheat bread is more expensive than white bread, but this is not true as it takes over four loaves of white bread to have the same nutritional value of one loaf of whole wheat bread. Which costs more, one loaf of whole wheat bread or four loaves of white bread?

White bread is also very low in fiber, which is a major cause of constipation. It takes 8 pieces of white bread to equal the same amount of fiber in one piece of whole wheat bread.

What type of whole wheat bread is best? 

The heavier the bread, the more nutritious it is. When buying whole wheat bread, read the ingredients listed on the label. Some bread is labeled whole wheat, but in actuality they are only partially whole wheat and they also contain some white flour. That is why it is important to read the ingredients. 

Also, many breads contain milk, which may be listed as lactose or whey. It is best to buy bread containing no milk. A good whole wheat bread contains no white flour and no milk and if possible, should contain molasses (which is an excellent replacement for sugar and is also high in iron). This type of whole wheat bread is heavy and full of nutrients and will help to keep you healthy. 

Here in Costa Rica you have to look long and hard for a good loaf of whole wheat bread. 

One that I have found here that is quite good is called Mifibra.


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