Sourdough

Image: Open Food Facts (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Common questions

Is Sourdough healthy?

Sourdough scores 65/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — a fair-to-good score — solid, with tradeoffs. This sourdough bread is made with a relatively clean ingredient list, featuring wheat flour, rye flour, and malted barley flour, which are traditional components of sourdough.

How processed is Sourdough?

Sourdough is NOVA Group 3: Processed Foods.

Which ingredients drive Sourdough's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Wheat flour is flagged as an ingredient of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

You might also like

See more

Sourdough

Jason's
65 Fair

Analysis updated September 2026 · How Scout scores

View on Amazon

At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 0
Harmful ingredients 1
Category Bread
Summary

This sourdough bread is made with a relatively clean ingredient list, featuring wheat flour, rye flour, and malted barley flour, which are traditional components of sourdough. However, it is a processed food, which limits its score potential. The presence of enriched wheat flour and added salt are typical for bread but contribute to its processing level, preventing it from reaching the highest scores reserved for minimally processed foods.

Key ingredients 8

Water
Neutral

Water is a fundamental ingredient in bread making, hydrating the flour and activating yeast. It is essential for dough formation and fermentation. The quality of water can affect the final texture and flavor of the bread.

Benefits

Water is crucial for hydration and the activation of yeast, contributing to the bread's texture and rise.

See more about Water →
Roasted malted rye
Neutral

Roasted malted rye adds flavor and color to the bread, enhancing its taste profile. It is a processed form of rye that has been malted and roasted. This ingredient can contribute to a richer, more complex flavor in sourdough.

Benefits

Provides a unique flavor and color to the bread, enhancing its sensory appeal.

Rye flour
Neutral

Rye flour is used in bread for its distinct flavor and dense texture. It contains more fiber than refined wheat flour, which can be beneficial for digestion. Rye flour is less processed than white flour, retaining more nutrients.

Risks

May cause digestive discomfort in individuals sensitive to gluten.

Benefits

Higher fiber content compared to refined wheat flour, which can aid in digestion and provide a feeling of fullness.

See more about Rye flour →
Malted barley flour
Neutral

Malted barley flour is used to enhance the flavor and color of bread. It is made from barley that has been malted, which involves soaking, germinating, and drying the grain. This process can increase the sweetness and improve the texture of the bread.

Benefits

Enhances the flavor and color of the bread, contributing to a more appealing product.

See more about Malted barley flour →
Salt
Neutral

Salt is a common ingredient in bread, enhancing flavor and controlling yeast activity. It is typically refined and lacks the trace minerals found in unrefined salts. Salt is essential for the development of gluten structure in bread.

Risks

Excessive consumption of salt can lead to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues.

Benefits

Enhances flavor and helps control yeast fermentation, contributing to the bread's texture and taste.

See more about Salt →
Fermented wheat flour
Neutral

Fermented wheat flour is used in sourdough for its unique flavor and improved digestibility. The fermentation process breaks down gluten and increases the availability of nutrients. It contributes to the characteristic tangy flavor of sourdough.

Benefits

Improves digestibility and nutrient availability, while contributing to the unique flavor of sourdough.

See more about Fermented wheat flour →
Malted wheat flour
Neutral

Malted wheat flour is used to enhance the flavor and color of bread. It is made from wheat that has been malted, which involves soaking, germinating, and drying the grain. This process can increase sweetness and improve the texture of the bread.

Benefits

Enhances the flavor and color of the bread, contributing to a more appealing product.

Wheat flour
Bad

Refined grain flour stripped of bran and germ.

Risks

Refined wheat flour can contribute to blood sugar spikes and lacks fiber compared to whole grain alternatives.

Benefits

Enriched wheat flour provides essential nutrients such as iron and B vitamins, which are important for energy metabolism.

See more about Wheat flour →

Processing

Group 3 · Processed

Processed Foods

Get the full breakdown in the Scout appTake Scout shopping

Scan any product to see lab results, healthy alternatives, and your personalized analysis.

Download on theApp Store GET IT ONGoogle Play

More in Bread