More Than a Meal: How Sourdough Nourishes the Mind and Our Community

If you’ve been following the Bakehouse for a while, you know that I believe bread should be more than just a side dish—it should be "Real Bread" that truly nourishes you. This coming week, I’m taking that mission into the heart of our community.

I am so excited to announce that Bethencourt Bakehouse will be participating in the Nourish initiative, hosted by Acton-Boxborough Community Compass. This wonderful organization works to bridge the gap between local food and our neighbors in need, proving that healthy, high-quality food is a pillar of a strong community.

While preparing for this event, I’ve been thinking a lot about the word "nourish." Often, we think of food for our muscles or our gut, but lately, the science behind how sourdough affects brain health has really caught my attention.

The Gut-Brain Highway
Did you know your gut is often called your "second brain"? They are in constant communication via the vagus nerve. When you eat a slice of our long-fermented sourdough, you’re actually supporting this "highway" in three key ways:

- Fueling Your Good Bacteria: Sourdough fermentation creates prebiotics—special fibers that act as fuel for the healthy bacteria already in your gut. A thriving gut microbiome is linked to improved mood and lower levels of anxiety.

- Say Goodbye to Brain Fog: Unlike commercial breads that cause your blood sugar to spike and then crash (leaving you feeling sluggish and "foggy"), sourdough has a much lower glycemic index. This provides a steady stream of energy to your brain, helping you stay focused throughout the day.

- Unlocking Essential Minerals: Many grains contain phytic acid, which can block the absorption of minerals. Our long fermentation process breaks down this acid, making brain-essential nutrients like Magnesium, Zinc, and B-vitamins more bioavailable. These minerals are critical for everything from sleep quality to cognitive function.

Participating in Nourish is a reminder that when we take care of our bodies and minds with real food, we have more energy to take care of each other.

I’d love for you to join me in supporting this cause. You can learn more about the event and how the ABCC helps our neighbors at https://abccompass.org/how-we-help/nourish 

And of course, if you need your weekly fix of brain-healthy bread, our usual pre-order window opends Monday 01/26 and Tuesday 01/27 to pick up on Thursday 01/29 at Eve & Murray's. 

To support this mission, I will be donating 10% of all proceeds from my Country Classic Sourdough loaves sold through Hotplate for this Thursday's pre-orders.

Weekly Orders: Place yours at Hotplate.com/bethencourtbakehouse
Community: I'll be sharing more updates about the event on my Instagram, so stay tuned!

Because you deserve real bread—and a sharp mind to go with it.