I would be grateful for any information/research showing that a lengthy fermentation is able to breakdown lectins. I now eat brown rice and barley fermented as natto and miso which are fermented for a very long time in barrels. It would be reassuring to see research showing that the lectins have been broken down in the process. Autoimmunity is a silent disease, by the time the damage becomes apparent it is often too late. We really need some serious questions answered if we are going to reclaim our health.

I have also read in various places (sorry do not remember where) that originally rich people thought that white flour was more pure and that brown flour had impurities. So they went for the more expensive white flour and bread–the rich could afford it. Then the commercial interests realized it had a longer shelf life and promoted it, and it became cheaper than the whole grains with a better profit. Also of course poorer folks felt great that they could afford what the rich ate, but it was detrimental to everyone’s health long term. Whole grains are more nutritious (with the bran and germ left intact but the growth inhibitors neutralized).

Just discovered this site. Nutrition has been an interest since a neighbor introduced me to Prevention Magazine in the late 1950s.

I’ve stopped eating bread and pasta awhile back, and feel a great deal better - so I am in no way disputing the healthbenefits of vutting out the fastmade bull of modern industry.

I make my own bread from primarily eggs, flaxseeds (soaked), sunflower seeds and walnuts. In addition to a fair amount of bran. Does this mean I’m effectively introducing anti-nutrients everytime I eat my bread?

Does anybody have any suggestions for an alternative to bran in my bread?

Your post, it is open-minded and thought provoking, your idea is good in that yes, people should research and form their own views, and I totally agree that if authors are presenting arguments to convince the reader of something, than references MUST always be made available so that people can research for themselves, no matter whether the argument is anecdotal or not.

However, your comment;

“B: If you really want to believe something that is unconventional then I advice you stop believing that the validity of an argument is determined by the number of people who promote it. Once upon a time, most people believed that the earth was flat and not moving…

….is actually incorrect.

People in the Middle Ages and earlier (current evidence suggest back as far as 2nd/3rd CE), never believed that the earth was flat.
This is a myth, promoted in the 17th century, for religious and political propaganda reasons. (Burton Russell, Jeffrey (1997). “The Myth of the Flat Earth”, Louise M. Bishop - The Myth of the Flat Earth chapter 11 of Misconceptions about the Middle Ages By Stephen J. Harris, Bryon Lee Grigsby)

It’s another one of those incorrect myths taught in history and religious lessons at schools.

Kind regards, Alex C

however, his claims about whole grain being bad for us, i don’t believe. specifically he states that “Billions of Asian (and other) peoples have eaten, for millennia, not whole, not brown, but white rice, exclusively!” this is absolutely UNTRUE - particularly the part about “millenia”. this is one reason why a referenced source would have been helpful here. where did the author hear this or read this? i have personal knowledge that contradicts this: my indian grandmother remembers eating unprocessed red rice in southern india as a child in a small rural town. this is in the 20s and 30s - most definitely NOT a “millenia” ago! furthermore, her great-uncle and several other relatives lived to old ages (70s and 80s at the time) without getting any degenerative diseases (most importantly, no diabetes, as we will see).

but like the rest of the world india started switching to white rice in the 40s/50s. my grandmother and her cousins did too, and two of her cousins, got diabetes and passed away at younger ages than those of the older generation. and now, my dad and an uncle have it too. this to me is direct proof that white rice is NOT good for us. the comment someone above made about high rates of diabetes in india is dead-on. india has horribly high rates of type 2 diabetes and they are continuing to rise. i strongly believe this is due to the prevalance of white rice in the indian diet.

right now i am following a GAPS/anti-candida diet, so i’m not eating any grain at all. but when i eventually add it back, i’m planning to add back breads made from long-fermented, whole-grain breads, and brown rice. i had switched to brown rice a few years ago, and i automatically stopped feeling the “food coma” i’d always feel after eating a meal with white rice. “food coma” is actually a sign of increased insulin resistance, and i am VERY happy to be avoiding that. i have no desire to get diabetes.