Published on
Updated
Reading 2 min.
in collaboration with
Alexandra Murcier (Freelance dietician-nutritionist)
And
Raphael Gruman (nutritionist)
Between nut bread and fig bread, your heart is torn at the bakery? While these two cereal products have undeniable advantages – a slight sweet taste for one, a crunchy texture for the other – one turns out to be better for your health.
Walnut bread, an ally for your cardiovascular health
Nut bread has many health benefits.
Walnuts contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are beneficial for cardiovascular health. These fatty acids help lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL).
The fatty acids in nuts are also beneficial for the brain: they stimulate cognitive functions and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
Another plus: nuts are full of antioxidants (polyphenols) that help fight oxidative stress and protect cells from damage.
Finally, nut bread is rich in vegetable proteins and fibers, which are essential for the proper functioning of the body (repair of body tissues, stimulation of transit, longer satiety, etc.). Its glycemic index is also much lower than that of white bread.
An ideal snack to avoid blood sugar spikes.
Fig bread, a concentrate of energy
Much to the displeasure of nut bread lovers, fig bread is also full of health benefits: figs are an excellent source of fiber, which helps regulate digestion, prevent constipation and increase the feeling of satiety.
Figs also contain multiple vitamins (A, B1, B2, and K…) as well as minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus…) which are essential for bone health, good skin elasticity, nerve function, energy production and blood pressure regulation. Figs also have natural anti-inflammatory properties.
Finally, fig bread is rich in natural sugars, which makes it an excellent source of quick energy. This snack is therefore ideal for athletes.
Walnut Bread vs. Fig Bread: Which is the Big Winner?
Faced with this question, Raphaël Gruman, nutritionist, does not hesitate for long.Walnut bread is the best“.
“With figs, we actually bring a lot of extra carbohydrates to a product that already contains them. You should know that a baguette of bread is about 27 sugar cubes… It is therefore a product very rich in carbohydrates (60 grams per 100 grams). The advantage of nuts is that they do not provide carbohydrates but another ingredient whose interest is greater: good fats. Nut bread ultimately rebalances the scales. It also goes wonderfully with many dishes and of course cheese.”
The same observation is made by Alexandra Murcier, dietician-nutritionist.
“I recommend walnut bread much more than fig bread. Walnuts are rich in omega 3, fatty acids that protect our cardiovascular system and are recognized anti-inflammatories, while the dried figs found in fig bread have a high glycemic index, which is not ideal for weight. Be careful, however, not to rush to the walnut bread either, because in both cases, bread, whether it is fruit or dried fruit, can make you fat.” she concludes.