8 Health Benefits of Eating Naan Bread

Introduction

Naan bread is a flat food that is common to many South Asian countries and recently has become renowned globally due to its flexibility and soft and highly absorbent surface nature. Commonly eaten together with curries, kebabs, and other dishes, naan not only brings an extra dimension of taste to the foods but can also give an additional health advantage. Here we are going to discuss what naan bread is, its origin, and the countless benefits of consuming it in the present diet plan.

What is Naan Bread?

Naan bread may be defined as leavened flat bread belonging to South Asia, in particular India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh cuisine. It is dissimilar to your normal flatbread which includes tortillas, and pita bread as it contains yeast and is softer and fluffy. Conventionally, Naan bread is baked in the tandoor which is a clay oven and such baking gives Naan bread its smoky brown crust.

Traditionally it is prepared from a combination of all-purpose flour, water, yogurt, and active dry yeast and a few recipes may also include milk eggs, or ghee. It can be consumed without adding toppings or with toppings such as garlic, butter, or cheese, and this makes it compatible with most meals.

The History and Origin of Naan Bread

It may be quite possible that one of the oldest breeds that can be eaten today has its origin over 2,500 years ago best known as the Naan bread which originated in ancient Persia today known as Iran. Contrary to these expectations, the word “naan” that is used to refer to this bread has its origin from the Persian word that means bread. Naan was initially made into a hard pancake-like mass that contains flour and water in its basic forms. However, it was later introduced to the Indian subcontinent by the Mughals during their rule during the 16th century.

One of the earliest forms of bread that are still familiar to us today is the naan bread whose dating can be traced back more than 2500 years to ancient Persia, that is modern Iran. Contrary to what one would expect, the name for this bread, Naan has a Persian origin and in Persian, Naan is synonymous with bread. Naan was first prepared into a kind of hashed-up pancake, The basic requirements of which are flour and water. But somehow it was adopted to the Indian subcontinent by the Mughals during their reign during the sixteenth century.

Check Out: Fermented Dough Recipe.

Health Benefits of Naan Bread

Apart from providing a delicious taste and Swiss-like texture, naan bread has certain nutritional advantages.  

1. Good Source of Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are one of the macronutrients we require in our body for this, we need to have energy in the system. The major content that is found in Naan bread is flour, therefore to an extent they feed the body with the required carbohydrates. These carbs are very important in the provision of energy for the body and the various processes, including the physical activities and the brain functions. 

2. Contains Essential Vitamins and Minerals

As for nutrition, it is known that in many cases Naan bread contains different vitamins and minerals, which are added during the preparation of the product. For example, yogurt or milk-laden bread can be used to boost calcium levels good for the strengthening of bones and teeth. Some of the ingredients used in preparing the meals may also be eggs, and they do pack proteins and B vitamins among other nutrients. Despite this, the nutrients needed to prepare naan bread are easily sourced and even though the nutrients packed in it are not many it has some important minerals such as iron which is vital in the production of red blood cells, hence fighting off anemia.

3. High in Fiber

Dietary fiber aids digestion and maintaining blood glucose levels, so it is considered to be a very essential nutrient. Namely, whole wheat naan is a good source of dietary fiber. The fiber in naan assists in digestion and also adds to the feeling of satiety, and even tends to reduce cholesterol levels. The same applies to people who want to have more fiber in their diet; one should prefer whole wheat naan to the common white flour one.

4. May Promote Digestive Health

The addition of yogurt in the conventional recipes for naan possesses possible advantages in digestion. Yogurt has live active cultures, otherwise known as probiotics, which are substances that comprise good bacteria for digestion. It is therefore important that the body of the human subject is equipped with an appropriate and healthy supply of gut microbiome that contributes towards digestion, absorption of nutrients, and immune system. When you eat naan prepared from yogurt, it is likely that you assist the colonies within your stomach and reduce swelling of your stomach once you are affected.

5. Lowers Risk of Heart Disease

There is evidence that fiber helps to reduce cholesterol and, with the quantity of thirty-seven grams of fiber per one hundred grams, whole wheat naan can be an addition to the diet, that contributes to heart health.

Cholesterol is high and is a problem for heart diseases, thus increasing the consumption of fiber-rich foods such as whole wheat naan is encouraged. Also, healthy fats were incorporated such as olive oil or ghee in moderation which provides essential fatty acid that benefits the heart.

6. Boosts Energy Levels

Naan bread is a rich source of carbohydrates, particularly the complex carbohydrates that take time to be metabolized in the body hence supplying energy in equal proportion of time. This makes naan a perfect food that you can consume to feed your body during the day as you go about your business or as you are focusing on your tasks.

7. Supports Weight Management

Although naan bread usually relates to junk food, it should not be excluded from a balanced diet food list and can be consumed while losing weight. The healthy way of having it is by observing portions and using better types of naan, for instance, whole wheat ones or those with little oil used in the preparation process.

Since whole wheat naan contains fiber, you are likely to feel the fullness of your tummy, hence not overindulging. Also, it is a good idea for those who want to consume the staple in healthy dishes to combine it with numerous vitamins and other nutrient-rich foods such as vegetables, lean protein, and beans.

8. Versatile and Easy to Incorporate into Meals

Naan bread is considered one of the types of shorthand pieces of bread, and it has a lot of eating benefits due to its flexibility. It can be used in a wide range of preparations and preparations, thus easy to fit into the required meal plans. It further goes well with pizzas, soups, stews, or with mince fillings and vegetables for a sandwich, however, you take it.

This makes it possible to use naan in several recipes, and in the process, one can enjoy a healthy and colorful diet.

Conclusion

Naan bread, which may be consumed as an accompaniment to so many foods, is more than simply a good thing. This shows that the product possesses an interesting history and at the same time offers nutritional benefits to consumers, which is why it would be the best fit for a healthy diet.

Naan can prove quite helpful in terms of nutritional benefits, at least from the nutritional point of view of carbohydrates and vitamins to support the digestive system and not forget the cardiovascular system as well. Naan is a great addition to any meal, it can be made from traditional white flour or whole wheat and either way, it will benefit your body.

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