Storing bread in the refrigerator is a common practice and it is claimed that freezing bread makes it healthier. According to researchers, freezing bread can lead to trapped water and this can keep the bread fresher and softer as compared to bread stored in the fridge.
When the bread is stored in fridge, the water gets lost and the bread gets hard.
Dr. Trupti Padhi, Dietitian and Certified diabetic educator, Consults on Practo told Financial Express.com that refrigerated bread is generally safe to consume within 2-3 days, especially if preheated or toasted before eating.
“One should consume the bread within the next 2-3 days by preheating or toasting before eating. However, if stored poorly and left in the refrigerator for over a week or two, the bread loses its texture and nutrient value. This can lead to potential health issues like stomach infections, food poisoning, vomiting, blood sugar spikes, gastric problems, skin issues, and even neurological complications and risk of certain cancers, like stomach cancer, in rare cases,” Dr. Padhi said.
Dr. Trupti Padhi advice against prolonged storage of bread in the refrigerator to maintain both its quality and your health.
“Freshness matters, and proper storage practices are key to preserving the nutritional integrity of your food,” she added.
According to a report by Science Alert, a study on ten healthy people looked at the effect of freezing white bread then toasting it. Additionally, the researchers also compared store-bought loaves with homemade bread.
The team found that for samples of homemade bread, freezing and thawing the bread reduced how much it spiked blood sugar by 31 percent over two hours. Interestingly, toasting fresh bread also lowered the rise in glucose by 25 percent.
Moreover, in case of homemade bread, the effect was even greater and the blood sugar response reduced by 39 percent.
According to the scientists, this effect could potentially help with hunger, as glucose and insulin levels will not rise as high after eating the frozen bread. However, the effects only exist for a couple of hours. Additionally, it is not known, if this storing method can have a long-term effects on appetite, weight gain or risk of certain diseases such as type 2 diabetes.
However, the report maintains that putting a loaf of bread in the freezer can not only reduce food waste but it also has some health benefits even if small.