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Sourdough - transform your bread & your health

The Healthiest Bread in the World: Science-Backed Baking for a Better Gut Heath

Vanessa Kimbell is a time-served baker who specialises in gut health and trained in the art of sourdough bread in the Dordogne. A bestselling author, she holds a doctorate in Baking as Lifestyle Medicine and Preventative Health and is a member of BANT. Vanessa combines deep expertise in sourdough with unparalleled knowledge of the science of bread and digestion. At The Sourdough School, she teaches personalised artisan bread tailored to optimise gut health and genetics. Discover healthy bread recipes, tips, and techniques featuring sourdough fermentation, wholegrain benefits, and personalised baking advice—designed to inspire a slower, healthier approach to baking, eating, and sharing bread.

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Heath Care Providers: Training In Prescribing Baking As Lifestyle Medicine

Our Commitment and Policy to share Current, Evidence-Based Information on Bread

15 August 2016 by Dr Vanessa Kimbell

As part of the systems change programme and as a commitment to our values at The Sourdough School I am dedicated to sharing knowledge and information about the art and science of bread-making, from homemade loaves to commercial and large-scale bread production in the UK and around the world. Founded and curated by myself Dr. Vanessa Kimbell, as a leading expert in health, bread, nutrition, digestion, and the gut microbiome, this website has evolved and has become a resource for bakers with features and articles and that I have written over many years.

19 06 Sourdough School-84
Vanessa in the School as Tim Spector calls in Live from the USA to discuss the latest finding on the Gut Microbiome.

Dynamic and Updated Content

Our content reflects the latest studies, insights, and understandings in the field of nutrition and bread digestibility. As a dynamic platform, Sourdough.co.uk is continually updated to incorporate new research findings and discoveries made by Dr. Kimbell and others in the field. This approach ensures that our website remains a current and reliable source of information.

Engagement and Validation

We believe in the power of inquiry and validation. Dr. Kimbell personally investigates various aspects of bread-making, including types of bread, wheat, ingredients, mills, and the intricate process of fermentation. This hands-on approach allows us to provide in-depth insights and validate the information we share, reinforcing our commitment to accuracy and reliability.

Open Dialogue and Corrections

Transparency and accountability are core principles at Sourdough.co.uk. We welcome feedback, corrections, and discussions from our readers. If you find any information that you believe needs correction or update, we encourage you to reach out. We are committed to reviewing factual evidence and, where appropriate, updating our content to reflect accurate, evidence-based information.

Why Information Might Change

The field of nutrition, particularly regarding bread and its impact on health, is continuously evolving. As new research emerges and our understanding deepens, the information we share may change. This evolution is a testament to our commitment to providing the most accurate and up-to-date knowledge possible.

Policy on Comments

I believe in the power of conversation to enrich our understanding and appreciation of bread, its nutrition, and the intricate art of baking. Guided by decades of experience and dedicated research, we value every opportunity to engage with our readers. Your comments and discussions contribute significantly to the depth and diversity of the dialogue on our platform.

Encouraging Constructive Engagement

  • Diverse Opinions Welcome: We are open to and encourage a variety of perspectives. Healthy debate and differing viewpoints are the cornerstones of deep learning and understanding.
  • Relevance is Key: Comments should be pertinent to the article topic, contributing to the discussion in a meaningful way.

Our Moderation Principles

  • No Misinformation: To ensure the integrity of the information on our site, we will not publish comments spreading misinformation.
  • Respectful Interaction: Comments that contain derogatory, abusive, or disrespectful language will not be tolerated. Our community thrives on mutual respect.
  • No Promotion or Litigation Risks: Comments that are promotional in nature or could potentially lead to litigation will not be published. Our focus is on fostering informative and engaging discussions.

Editing and Moderation

  • Our team reserves the right to edit or decline comments that do not adhere to our policy. This is part of our commitment to maintaining a respectful and informative discussion space.
  • We aim for transparency in our moderation process and encourage comments that add value to the conversation.

Openness to Discussion

  • We welcome you to share your thoughts, experiences, and insights related to the topics discussed on SOURDOUGH.co.uk. Our platform is richer for the diverse viewpoints of our readers.
  • Engaging with us means entering a space of learning and sharing, where every voice adds to the collective knowledge and appreciation of the art and science of sourdough and bread-making.

By commenting on sourdough.co.uk you agree to these guidelines, designed to foster a constructive and inclusive community dialogue. Together, we can continue to explore the fascinating world of sourdough and baking, enriching our practices and understanding through shared discussion.

We invite you to subscribe to the newsfeed and my promise is to deepen our understanding of bread, its nutritional value, and its role in a healthy diet. Your feedback and contributions are not only welcome but essential to our mission of sharing credible, evidence-based information with the world. Should you feel that any information on this site needs updating or changing please contact me here.

Best

Dr Vanessa Kimbell

All reasonable care is taken when writing about health aspects of bread, but the information it contains is not intended to take the place of treatment by a qualified medical practitioner. You must seek professional advice if you are in any doubt about any medical condition. Any application of the ideas and information contained on this website is at the reader's sole discretion and risk.

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Dr Vanessa Kimbell

About Dr Vanessa Kimbell

Dr. Vanessa Kimbell is a leading expert in nutrition and the digestibility of bread. Her doctorate focuses on Baking as Lifestyle Medicine and preventative health, specialising in personalising bread for gut health and genetics. She is the Course Director at The Sourdough School, a world-renowned centre of research and education in bread, the gut microbiome, and the impact of bread on health, based in Northamptonshire. She is currently writing her 6th book and is a best-selling international author.

More information about Vanessa can be found:
The Sourdough School team page: About Vanessa Kimbell

The Sourdough Club: thesourdoughclub.com

Instagram accounts: @SourdoughClub
@SourdoughSchool @vanessakimbell

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Todays live for diploma students will be on 'How t Todays live for diploma students will be on 'How to engage your patient in the lifestyle changes of the BALM' with @vanessakimbell 

In their 6pm live session, we help keep our students on track with the syllabus and discuss the application of Baking As Lifestyle Medicine to the 6 pillars of Lifestyle medicine, applying the research papers, application of the Research, and how this ties into prescribing, along with guest lecturers, discussions and sharing knowledge.

#lifestylemedicine #health #functionalmedicine #nutrition #integrativemedicine #healthylifestyle #wellness #lifestyle #rcgp #dietitian #nutritionist #healthcareprofessional #holistichealth #healthyliving #plantbased #guthealth #naturopathicmedicine #selfcare #functionalnutrition  #naturopathicdoctor #foodasmedicine #foodismedicine #lifestylegoals #cpd #lifestylechange #mentalhealth #sourdough #sourdoughschool #bakeforhealth
BAKE, ANALYSE, EAT; RECALIBRATE & REPEAT. 📆 Th BAKE, ANALYSE, EAT; RECALIBRATE & REPEAT.

📆 The Sourdough School Clinic - Thursdays 8pm - for students of The Sourdough School 

✏️ In this weekly live session, we cover technical baking questions. Students can submit their Baking Record Sheets in advance of the session.

📋 We look at the details of our student's bakes - the specifics of the flour, timings and temperatures. Using our sourdough record sheets Vanessa will make suggestions on how they might modify, or recalibrate the next time they bake.

Follow the link in the bio to learn more about becoming a student at The Sourdough School 👆

#sourdough #sourdoughschool #bread #sourdoughlove #sourdoughlover #naturalleavened #leavening #levain #realbread #breadmaking #bakebread #makebread #makerealbread #learntobakebread #breadmakingclass #sourdoughstories #bakingforlove #bakingtherapy #sourdoughbaking
IBS AWARENESS MONTH Do you suffer from irritable IBS AWARENESS MONTH

Do you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? It can be tough to deal with the uncomfortable symptoms of stomach cramps, constipation, diarrhoea and bloating. But did you know that making dietary changes, such as incorporating sourdough bread into your diet, could help alleviate some of those symptoms?

Studies have shown that sourdough's long, slow fermentation process can reduce IBS symptoms. Plus, during #ibsawarenessmonth, we're exploring how adding different herbs and spices to your sourdough can further improve both the flavour and the digestion of your bread.

Let's talk about gut health, fermentation, and how sourdough can be a delicious and healthy addition to your diet. Join the conversation and share your experiences with IBS and sourdough.

#guthealth #healyourgut #healthygut #guthealing #guthealthmatters #letfoodbethymedicine #foodasmedicine #gutbrainconnection #nutrientdense #micronutrients #digestivehealth #nutritionfacts #microbiome #breadandguts #ibsawarenessmonth
THE SOURDOUGH SCHOOL – HAND CARVED WOODEN LAME THE SOURDOUGH SCHOOL – HAND CARVED WOODEN LAME

One of the biggest issues around using a plastic lame to score sourdough, of course, is that eventually the blade will become blunt and the lame could end up in landfill.  So several years ago I talked to my dear friend EJ about developing a lame with a replaceable blade. And he came up with this very beautiful hand carved wooden lame.

Very sadly EJ is no longer with us. Recently a friend of EJ’s who is also a wood turner and carver offered to make these again for us in remembrance of our dear friend.

Follow the link in the bio to our shop where you can find our full selection of wooden sourdough tools 👆

#sourdough #sourdoughschool #bread #sourdoughlove #sourdoughlover #naturalleavened #leavening #levain #realbread #breadmaking #bakebread #makebread #makerealbread #learntobakebread #breadmakingclass #sourdoughstories #bakingforlove #bakingtherapy #sourdoughbaking
The Baking As Lifestyle Medicine (BALM) Protocol The Baking As Lifestyle Medicine (BALM) Protocol

The current food system is broken at multiple levels, from the pesticides used in our soils to the emulsifiers and additives adulterating industrially-processed foods. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the bread we eat.  The figures reported by the UK Flour Millers say that bread is bought by a staggering “99.8% of British households” and that “the equivalent of nearly 11 million loaves are sold each day. Approximately 60-70% of the bread we eat is white and sandwiches are thought to account for 50% of overall bread consumption. Average bread purchases are the equivalent of 60.3 loaves per person per year.” 

Most bread sold is made by modern processing methods that strip heart-healthy whole grains of their nutrient contents, resulting in low-fibre bread with a high glycemic index. Over time, white processed bread can increase a person’s risk of insulin resistance alongside other lifestyle diseases.

We’re on a mission to revolutionise the bread making process at every level – from soil to slice. The rules governing this are laid out in our Baking As Lifestyle Medicine protocol. 

#lifestylemedicine #health #functionalmedicine #nutrition #integrativemedicine #healthylifestyle #wellness #lifestyle #rcgp #dietitian #nutritionist #healthcareprofessional #holistichealth #healthyliving #plantbased #guthealth #naturopathicmedicine #selfcare #functionalnutrition  #naturopathicdoctor #foodasmedicine #foodismedicine #lifestylegoals #cpd #lifestylechange #mentalhealth #sourdough #sourdoughschool #bakeforhealth
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