You can’t swing a baguette without hitting someone these days who is going crazy for all things brioche. This rich, buttery, golden-crusted bread is back in vogue, with the humble and once-neglected French staple now being sold in artisanal bakeries around the world. Brioche is certainly an indulgent bread, but it is also one of the most wholesome. It’s not just any old loaf. Often described as a “cake masquerading as bread,” brioche is made with eggs and high quantities of natural fats (butter and oil). So is Brioche healthy? Let’s take a closer look.
Is Brioche Bread Healthy?
Brioche is a type of bread that is made with eggs, butter, and flour. It is high in calories and fat, but it also contains some nutrients, such as protein, B vitamins, and minerals. Brioche isn’t the healthiest type of bread to eat, but it can be part of a healthy diet if you’re careful about how much you eat. It’s best to enjoy brioche in moderation and to choose healthier types of bread for the majority of your meals.
Nutrition Facts For Brioche Bread
1. The Brioche Connection
Brioche is a French term that refers to the process of creating a yeast-leavened, rich, buttery cake dough. It’s made with a high proportion of butter and eggs and is typically baked in a shallow pan or baking sheet. The result is a soft, golden-brown loaf that has the consistency of a cake. Brioche is also known as “pain brioché” in French, and “brötchen” in German. While it may have gotten its start in France, it has since spread throughout Europe and beyond (see below for some historical facts on this delicacy).
2. Brioche History & Mythology
The brioche was originally made from leftover bread dough (crust) mixed with egg yolks to create an egg-rich batter for baking into cakes. Over time variations evolved including brioches stuffed with fruits or vegetables as well as a variety of sweet bread made with different flours, butter, and sugar.
3. The Health Benefits Of Brioche
Brioche contains no gluten, which makes it a safe choice for those who are gluten-intolerant or suffer from celiac disease (a digestive disorder associated with wheat allergies). In fact, brioche is one of only four gluten-free bread that is 100% certified by the Celiac Disease Foundation (along with cornbread, rice cakes, and wheat tortillas).
4. The Health Benefits Of Eggs
Eggs are a great source of protein, with one large egg providing 6 grams of this essential nutrient (5 grams per large egg). Egg yolks are rich in choline, which promotes brain development and helps reduce the risk of cognitive decline in the elderly. Choline is also essential for healthy liver function and cell membranes. Additionally, eggs contain a variety of vitamins and minerals including vitamin A (as beta-carotene), vitamin B12, vitamin D, selenium, phosphorus, and zinc. These nutrients are vital to good health as they contribute to bone formation, brain function, and immune system function. Eggs are also considered an excellent source of lean protein (7 grams per large egg) and a good source of folate (400% of the daily value).
5. The Health Benefits Of Butter
Butter contains an abundance of healthy fats, including conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been shown to play a role in immune system function, cellular metabolism, and weight management. It is also known for its ability to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. Research has also shown that the amount of CLA in butter can vary depending on how it’s produced (i.e., grass-fed versus corn-fed). The latter is known to contain more CLA than the former. In general, it’s best to opt for butter that comes from grass-fed cows as they tend to produce higher levels of CLA than those fed corn or soybeans.
Is Brioche Healthy?
1. The High-Fat Content Of Brioche Is A Good Thing.
Brioche is a high-fat bread, and not just because it is made with butter and oil. The reason that fat content matters is that healthy fats are the building blocks of our cells and the essential components of many hormones and enzymes. Healthy fats are also important for brain health, as they have been shown to increase dopamine levels in the brain.
2. Brioche Contains Only Trace Amounts Of Gluten.
Gluten is a protein that gives bread its structure, so naturally, there will be some gluten in a brioche (although less than 2% by weight). This means that if you have an intolerance to gluten, you should be able to eat this bread without worrying about any adverse effects. If you do have an allergy to wheat or other grains but don’t want to give up brioche altogether, it’s best to avoid the more heavily processed commercial varieties and opt for the more traditional, homemade recipes.
3. Brioche Contains A Lot Of Vitamins And Minerals.
Brioche is traditionally made with eggs, which are a great source of vitamins and minerals. Eggs are also a good source of choline, which is an essential nutrient that plays a role in brain development, memory, and learning abilities. However, there’s no need to go overboard on the egg content if you don’t want to! You can get all the vitamins and minerals you need from other foods in your diet as well (such as fresh fruit). The only thing you will miss out on is that extra eggy flavor!
4. Vitamin B12 Is Added To Brioche Dough During Production.
B12 is an important nutrient that we need to be getting regularly in our diet because it plays an important role in cell growth and repair as well as protecting against neurological problems such as Alzheimer’s. We can get B12 from certain foods such as eggs, but it’s also added to many processed foods such as bread and cereal. The good news is that the B12 in brioche is added during production, so you don’t need to worry about getting enough B12 in your diet (as long as it’s not part of your dietary restrictions).
The Pros Of Brioche
- Brioche is the perfect bread for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. It’s rich and buttery, but not too heavy. Serve it with plain yogurt and fruit or jam. You can also use brioche in place of dessert bread.
- Brioche is a great source of dietary fiber. A slice of brioche contains 1 gram of fiber per slice, which is about the same as one cup of oats (1/2 cup). This means that you’ll get more fiber from a slice of brioche than you will from one cup of oatmeal!
- The starch in brioche helps keep blood sugar levels stable and insulin levels balanced, making it an ideal choice for people with diabetes or other blood sugar issues.
- Brioche has good amounts of vitamin B12, folate, and several minerals like iron, potassium, and calcium. It’s also high in protein (1/4 cup contains 6 grams) and contains several essential amino acids.
- Brioche has a relatively low glycemic index (55), making it a great choice for people on a low-carb diet, or those who need to limit their intake of refined carbohydrates.
The Cons Of Brioche
1. High-Fat Content
While this bread is beloved by the French, it is also one of the highest fat-containing bread around. Even though brioche is often made with butter and oil, it still contains a surprising amount of fat. According to the Brioche Association, a typical brioche has between 150 and 200 calories of fat per slice. Compare that to the average baguette, which has only about 10 calories of fat per slice! Brioche also contains more saturated fat than baguettes and other bread. In fact, most French bread contains only about 20% of its calories from saturated fats (compared with about 40% for brioche). So why does a high-fat loaf like brioche have such a following? The answer lies in its flavor profile. Since it’s so rich in buttery flavor and texture, many people find it hard to resist eating more than they should!
2. High Glycemic Index
Many people mistakenly think that all carbohydrates are created equal. But this is not the case. High-GI foods, such as white bread and pasta, are digested and absorbed quickly and cause a spike in blood sugar levels. This can cause cravings for more carbohydrates and can lead to overeating. High-GI foods also contribute to weight gain because they elevate insulin levels after consumption.
3. Low Fiber Content
Every day, Americans eat about 23 grams of fiber per day—on average! This means that most people are not meeting their daily fiber requirement from food alone. But if you eat a lot of bread, it’s easy to go over the recommended amount. For example, a slice of brioche has only 1 gram of fiber. This is less than half the recommended daily fiber intake of women and men.
Final Words
Brioche is definitely not a healthy bread. It is made with a lot of butter, eggs, sugar, and flour. Brioche is a very rich bread, and just one serving (1 slice or about 70 grams) contains Calories – 549 Fat – 41 g (62%) Saturated Fat – 21 g (104%) Cholesterol – 75 mg (25%) Sodium – 30 mg (1%) Carbohydrates – 58 g (22%) Fiber – 1 g (4%) B vitamins – niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, biotin, folic acid, pyridoxine B vitamins – thiamin, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin B6 Fats – saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat Protein – 8 g There are plenty of other bread that is healthier than brioche, so if you’re looking for a nutritious and wholesome choice, it’s best to choose something else.
