Taylor Swift’s latest obsession isn’t music or fashion, instead, it’s bread. Yes, you read that right! The global pop star has fallen in love with sourdough baking and says it has completely taken over her life. “I’m really talking about bread 60 per cent of the time,” the 35-year-old singer joked on her fiance Travis Kelce’s New Heights podcast. “Sourdough has taken over my life in a huge way.”
Swift has been baking all kinds of loaves, from lemon blueberry and cinnamon swirl to funfetti sourdough, which she said she made “because the girls love everything rainbow.” Kelce, who often tastes her creations, prefers the plain sourdough, with blueberry as his second favourite.
One of Swift’s homemade loaves even made it to her The Fate of Ophelia music video, placed on a French-style table next to a peach and a string of pearls. “My bread is a star,” she said, as per The New York Post.
What makes sourdough special?
Unlike regular bread, sourdough is made from only four simple ingredients, flour, water, salt, and a starter. The starter is a mix of fermented flour and water that replaces commercial yeast. This natural fermentation gives sourdough its tangy taste and soft texture.
According to a 2022 study in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, the fermentation process in sourdough breaks down gluten and starch, making it easier to digest. The natural bacteria in the starter also help produce nutrients that are good for your gut.
Good for the gut and heart
Sourdough is not just tasty, it can be healthy too. The lactic acid bacteria formed during fermentation act like probiotics, which help grow healthy gut bacteria and improve digestion.
A 2021 study published in Frontiers in Microbiology found that these bacteria also increase levels of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which helps calm the nervous system and reduce stress.
Research from the University of Eastern Finland further shows that sourdough fermentation creates peptides that block the ACE enzyme, which can help manage blood pressure.
Helps control sugar and cholesterol
Sourdough has a lower glycemic index than regular bread. This means it releases sugar into your bloodstream more slowly, helping to keep blood sugar stable. It can also be a better choice for people managing diabetes or insulin resistance.
Whole-grain sourdough is even healthier. It contains soluble fibre, which binds to LDL or “bad” cholesterol and removes it from the body. Over time, this can help lower cholesterol levels and support heart health.
Each slice of homemade sourdough contains about 80 to 100 calories. When made with whole grains, it also provides more fibre and nutrients.
So, whether you make it at home or buy it from a bakery, sourdough is a wholesome way to enjoy bread, one that’s good for your gut, your heart, and maybe even your mood.
