Bread is the oldest food that is prepared by human beings. Bread is usually prepared by mixing wheat flour or flour of various other cereals with water. The dough thus formed after mixing the flour and water is baked to form bread. Bread is liked by almost everyone. Hence it has become staple food in almost all the parts of world.
Causes of Indigestion After Eating White Bread
Many people are known to suffer from cramps in abdomen, nausea, bloating and various other symptoms of indigestion after eating white bread. White bread is prepared from wheat flour. Wheat is considered to be one of the common food allergen for many people in USA. Although for most of us, white bread does not produce any problem, those who are allergic to wheat or yeast present in white bread, they may suffer from various symptoms of indigestion such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating etc.
Gluten intolerance can also cause indigestion after eating white bread. Gluten is a substance present in wheat flour of white bread. It gives sponginess and elasticity to the dough prepared from wheat flour. Gluten is normally digestible substance. However, the immune system in some people may consider it as harmful and it starts producing antibodies to attack it. This may result in inflammation in the internal lining of intestine, causing cramps, distention and bloating. These symptoms are present in children as well as adults.
One of the ingredients of white bread is yeast. It is a type of fungi. Yeast helps in fermentation process, which is important part in preparing bread. A person allergic to molds and yeast may develop several symptoms; one of them is indigestion and bloating. Often molds and fungi grow on bread. If a person having allergy to them consumes it, he may have added response of allergy.
White bread made out of wheat flour is high in fiber content. Some breads also contain other substances such as oat bran, wheat bran etc as an additional fiber. Normally dietary fiber is healthy for health. But for some people excess of fiber may cause gases, and bloating. If a person is having problem after eating excess of fiber in bread, he must slowly increase eating high fiber white breads.
How to Avoid Indigestion Caused From White Bread:
If you suffer from indigestion after eating white bread, you can try breads that consist of alternative flours that do not contain gluten. For example you can enjoy eating bread prepared from flour of rice, amaranth etc. In this way you can eat bread without suffering from any stomach problem. Another factor is when you prepare bread; addition of ingredients is in your control. Normally white bread does not contain enough amount of fiber. However, if other flour is added such as oat bran, it may increase the fiber content. If your body is not able to bear the extra fiber load, introduce gradual increase of it in your diet.