Bread has been a delicacy enjoyed in every region of the globe for thousands of years, and it is being eaten there now. It is well-known and cherished by practically everyone, and it may be used in an unlimited number of ways across the culinary world. Toasting bread is one method that many people use to cut down on the number of calories that they consume from eating bread. This is because many people are concerned about the amount of calories that bread contains.
There is no reduction in calories that occurs with toasting bread. Instead, it causes changes in the bread’s glucose levels, which in turn results in a drastically reduced glycemic index. Toasting bread may also assist in lowering the total amount of fat that is included in bread. However, these modest decreases are eliminated when toppings are added to the dish.
Toasting bread does not have an effect on the number of calories that are included in bread; nevertheless, it does have the beneficial effect of lowering the glycemic index of bread.
Contents
What Happens When Bread is Toasted?
When you place a piece of bread in the toaster and start heating up the coils, a very specific chemical reaction takes place. The Maillard reaction may take place at temperatures ranging from 110 to 170 degrees Celsius (230 to 340 degrees Fahrenheit). You may not be aware with the name of this procedure, but there is a good chance that you have enjoyed the results of it in a wide variety of meals. This is basically a sort of caramelization that takes place with the exterior molecules of the bread, namely the sugars and amino acids. Because of the heat, any surplus water is driven out, which triggers the beginning of these processes on the surface molecules of the bread.
This reaction is a sort of browning that does not involve enzymes, and it will result in the bread having a flavor that is noticeably more sweet. When the Maillard reaction takes place, specific molecules that produce aromas and flavors are released into the environment. This is the cause of the phenomenon. These molecules, which are known as furanones, are responsible for giving bread its enticing taste. Additionally, this flavor profile makes toast an ideal partner for both sweet and salty toppings.
In spite of the fact that a piece of toast may seem to be brown all over, the toasted areas are nearly usually confined to the outside layer. In terms of toasted volume, the toasted portions may account for no more than 5–10% of the overall piece of bread. Because of this, if you toast a piece of bread for a little bit longer than you should, you can simply scrape off the burned areas, exposing the toast or bread that is a brighter color behind it.
When you burn toast, it is not because the outside edges are getting “more” burned; rather, it is because more of the molecules in the centre of the bread are experiencing the Maillard process, which results in the browning color being more intense. Unfortunately, toast that has been burned to a crisp may also emit carcinogens, which means that eating it often may raise your chance of developing cancer. In addition to this, a slice of toast that has been severely burned has a flavor that is everything but pleasant. Let’s take a look at the original question now that we have a better understanding of the chemical reactions that occur while toasting a slice of bread: what impact does toasting have on the nutritional content of the bread, and more particularly, the calorie count?
The Effect of Toasting of Bread on its Nutritional Value
In recent years, several individuals have said that toasting bread may assist in lowering the amount of calories it contains, so making it a superb choice for those who are attempting to lose weight. Now, if we take into consideration a single slice of regular white bread, we can estimate that it has around 70 calories, of which approximately 10% originate from fat. As was previously said, water is evaporated from a slice of bread when it is toasted; however, this does not necessarily imply that any of the calories are lost in the process. The amount of calories that are added or subtracted from a slice of bread due to toasting is insignificant, unless the bread is severely overdone, in which case it is likely to be inedible.
However, it has been shown that toasting bread reduces the glycemic index of the bread as well as the dish in issue. To put it another way, toasting bread will have less of an effect on the amount of sugar in your blood as compared to eating untoasted bread. Since this is such an essential consideration for diabetic patients, it is highly suggested that those who have diabetes or who are at high risk for developing the illness switch from eating bread to eating toast.
Toasted bread provides around 4% of your daily intake, which is roughly 1% lower than the amount of B vitamins that are included in bread. This represents a decline of nearly 20% from the amount of B vitamins that are contained in bread. Earlier, we indicated that burning toast may unleash hazardous carcinogens; when bread is toasted, trace quantities of acrylamide are generated, but the levels of this undesirable chemical are not cause for concern until you actually scorch your morning slice.
Other Benefits of Toast
In spite of the fact that toasting bread is so common, many individuals are unaware of the many advantages associated with doing so. Perhaps some do, but by far the overwhelming majority do not!
Since toasting bread does not have any effect on the amount of calories it contains, you may be asking whether there is any point in doing so. The fact that the bread’s nutritional worth is altered as a result of the toasting process is the most important advantage of toasting the bread.
In addition to altering the nutritional qualities of bread, it has a number of additional advantages, including the following:
- Because it adds weight to the stool, eating toasted bread may be beneficial for treating diarrhea.
- It is beneficial for diabetics. It makes the process of breaking down carbs more gradual, which in turn results in a more gradual absorption of glucose into the circulation.
- It’s an excellent supply of usable energy. By toasting bread, you may increase the amount of starch it contains while also lowering its glycemic index.
- It lessens feelings of sickness and vomiting. Bread that has been toasted can be used as an antacid and is more effective when taken with milk when treating nausea and vomiting.
- Glycemic index may be lowered by toasting bread. This procedure, in turn, causes a multitude of health advantages, which are the result of a low glycemic index.
- Toasting bread brings out more of its natural taste.
- A more appetizing flavor may be achieved by toasting old bread.
Why Does the Taste of Bread Change After Toasting?
Toasting causes carbohydrates and amino acids to react under heat, which results in a change in the flavor of the bread after it has been toasted. Bread’s flavor is altered by the Maillard reaction as a result of the procedure, which also results in the formation of a caramelized crust on the bread.
When food is heated in a cooking procedure like baking, roasting, or toasting, a chemical reaction called the Maillard reaction causes the food to alter in flavor, fragrance, and color. This reaction is responsible for the shift. The significance of the outcome of this response in determining the nutritional content of food cannot be overstated.
It is also capable of increasing the nutritious value of food by developing antioxidative qualities, or it is capable of decreasing the nutritional value of food by producing harmful chemicals.
Browning food properly through the Maillard process requires the use of dry heat, which is why boiling food does not result in the development of browning.
Does Toasting Bread Reduce Gluten?
People who suffer from celiac disease aren’t crazy when they question whether toasting bread may lessen the amount of gluten it contains and make it easier for them to tolerate. Toasting bread offers a plethora of advantages, but it’s not unreasonable for them to ask about this.
In addition, considering that heat may make protein useless in some circumstances, it is not unreasonable to speculate if heat might also render gluten ineffective.
This is extremely crucial information to have in light of the fact that even the tiniest amount of gluten consumed may have a negative impact on the immune system and cause damage to the small intestines, which can result in digestive issues for those who have celiac disease. Even the smallest amount of exposure may result in a decreased ability to absorb minerals, including calcium, folic acid, iron, and vitamins.
However, toasting bread does not have any effect on the amount of gluten that is present in bread.
Gluten is not a germ, virus, bacterium, or fungus that may be destroyed by heat; rather, it is a kind of protein. As a result, you are unable to “kill” it. You may also make the case that heat can denature certain proteins, which is something that we already know. Protein undergoes denaturation when its three-dimensional structure is altered.
This alteration may render the protein useless in some circumstances; however, the situation is not the same for gluten. Toasting gluten-containing grains by itself would not eliminate the health risks associated with gluten because of the unique way it behaves.
When bread is toasted, there is no reduction in the amount of gluten present, according to research that was just published by the Children’s National Hospital.
The Disadvantage of Toasting Bread
Toasting bread comes with a number of advantages; nevertheless, you should be aware that there are also a few drawbacks to this practice. The most significant disadvantage of toasting bread is the production of acrylamide, which may cause cancer. Acrylamide is produced in foods rich in starch when such items are heated to high temperatures or subjected to excessive heat.
When carbohydrates are cooked at high temperatures, such as in frying, baking, roasting, or toasting, a carcinogen called acrylamide is produced. Acrylamide is a known contributor to some types of cancer.
When you toast bread, a chemical reaction takes place that results in the formation of acrylamide from the bread’s carbohydrates and an amino acid called asparagine. Acrylamide only becomes a concern when the bread is burned or over-toasted, which simply means that darker toast includes greater quantities of acrylamide. Fortunately, this only happens when the bread is over-toasted.
Conclusion
The number of calories in bread does not decrease when it is toasted. If you want to toast your bread, just give it a quick under the broiler. It is not safe to burn it, therefore please refrain from doing so.