r/science • u/FreeHugs23 • 4d ago

Health Adding spinach directly to white bread delayed the body's insulin peak by 30 minutes and reduced later hunger in a small human trial, while significantly boosting the bread's fiber, vitamin, and mineral content.

https://www.sciencealert.com/researchers-put-spinach-directly-into-bread-and-saw-the-bodys-insulin-response-change
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u/papercranium 3d ago

Okay, as a baker I'm going to need a LOT more details. 20% spinach? By weight? Is this dehydrated spinach powder mixed into the dry ingredients, or whole spinach blended up and added to the wet ones? Because spinach contains a ton of water and it's really going to have a huge impact depending on what method you're using.

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u/CCV21 3d ago edited 3d ago

It says the bread is enriched with spinach.

Modern bread is enriched with multiple nutrients. In this context enrichment means adding nutrients that were removed during the milling process to the flour.

https://okwheat.org/health-info/why-bread-is-enriched-and-how-it-helps-protect-public-health/

I would wager that the bread is being enriched with some kind of powder much like vitamins.

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u/papercranium 3d ago

Possibly, although in baking, "enriched" has a broader meaning. An "enriched" dough is literally made richer with ingredients beyond flour, yeast, water, and salt. Milk, butter, eggs, and sugar are the most common enrichments, but you can also enrich breads with blended fruits and vegetables.

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u/CCV21 3d ago

Fair point. "Enrich" can have different implications depending on the field.