Health, Well-being & Nutrition

Functionalities

Bread at the heart of Nutrition, Health and Well-being

Like all foods, especially those consumed daily, bread must take into account consumers' genuine concerns about health and well-being. Over the past several years, consumers' expectations regarding their diets have evolved significantly. Having witnessed a number of health crises in the past few decades and a dramatic rise in the prevalence of metabolic diseases (excessive weight and obesity), consumers are aware that diet and health are closely linked

Characteristics

This growing consciousness about diet and health has transformed the bread market, pushing it beyond simple taste and texture. New healthy trends have emerged :

Gluten-free diets

bread making has adapted to find an alternative to wheat gluten.
Salt reduction

Excessive salt consumption is linked to health issues such as high blood pressure and heart disease.
Fiber-rich food

Fiber plays an essential role in satiety, improving intestinal transit, and have a preventive role in numerous diseases.

Challenges

1

Gluten Free Options

The use of gluten-free flours (rice, corn, buckwheat, quinoa, etc..) alters deeply the structure of the crumb and the CO₂ retention during the fermentation process.
2

Salt Reduction

Bread, being a staple food, is a major source of dietary salt. Reducing salt content in the dough is crucial yet challenging, as it affects flavor, moisture retention, and color.
3

Calorific Content

Reducing lipid content and simple sugars, especially in sweet recipes such as brioche without impacting flavour or softness, is based on sourdough range and use of bulking agents.
4

Enhancing Nutritional Value

As dietary preferences shift towards vegetarianism and environmental sustainability. Enriching bread with plant-based proteins can enhance its nutritional profile without compromising taste or texture.

Solutions

Baking with Lesaffre is dedicated to addressing health trends by providing innovative solutions that preserve bread’s nutritional quality, appeal and flavor, all while catering to changing consumer needs.