Making Your Own Bread Has More Benefits Than You Think

If you've ever looked at the ingredient list for store-bought bread, you've likely seen a laundry list of hydrogenated oils and other stabilizers. At home, your loaf only really needs a few basic ingredients like flour, water, yeast and salt. Depending on the recipe you use, you can also use ingredients such as honey and whole wheat, Taste of Home explains. Plus, bread companies use a lot of salt to increase the shelf life of their products, with up to 130 mg of sodium per slice, Live Strong reports. With many recipes calling for just a teaspoon or so of salt, you'll have healthier bread at your fingertips.

Furthermore, the marketing jargon on most packaged breads often inflates the amount of whole grains it contains. The outlet explains that, when you make your own bread, you'll know exactly what's in your loaf as well as how many grams of whole grains it really has packed within.

In addition to its multiple health and nutrition benefits, baking bread may also give you a mental health boost. Focusing your mind on a tactile sensation of kneading and creating bread can leave you feeling more peaceful than you might think. Wise Living Magazine cites a study in which mental health patients baked bread and "felt happier, more creative, and less anxious" after doing so.

Try it for yourself and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment and delicious taste!