Bread is a breakfast favourite in many homes — from buttered toast and jam sandwiches to omelette with bread. But now, a wellness expert has raised concerns about eating it every single day.
In a recent Instagram post, wellness coach Dr. Mickey Mehta warned that regular bread consumption could have unexpected effects on gut health. “Can’t do without bread every morning? At least try to reduce. Because bread could be the most dangerous thing you put in your body,” he wrote.
His remarks have sparked a fresh debate online, especially after he linked daily bread intake to a rare condition called Auto-Brewery Syndrome (ABS).
Bread and Gut Health: What Did the Doctor Say?
Dr. Mehta suggested cutting down on bread and adding Isabgol (psyllium husk) to the daily routine to support digestion. “Have Isabgol at night and first thing in the morning,” he advised.
In his video, he also pointed out how common bread is in Indian breakfasts. “I’m surprised how many people I ask — what did you have for breakfast? ‘Tea and bread’, ‘omelette and bread’, ‘jam and bread’, ‘poha and bread’,” he said, highlighting how deeply bread has become part of daily eating habits.
Social Media Divided Over Claims
The video quickly went viral and drew mixed reactions.
Some users supported the advice. One person commented that real sourdough made from whole flours is healthy. Another shared that switching to jowar and ragi rotis for breakfast had improved overall health.
But many others pushed back. “Half of the world eats bread as a staple,” one user wrote. Another added that people in the UK eat bread regularly and still have a life expectancy of over 70 years. A sarcastic comment asked, “What do Americans and Europeans eat for breakfast — idli, vada, dosa?”
Several users also shared personal experiences. One 80-year-old commenter said they eat bread daily and are in good health. Another noted that not everyone will experience the same symptoms, as health reactions vary from person to person.
What Is Auto-Brewery Syndrome?
According to WebMD, Auto-Brewery Syndrome — also known as gut fermentation syndrome — is a rare but serious medical condition.
In this condition, the gut ferments carbohydrates (like those found in bread) into ethanol — the same type of alcohol found in alcoholic drinks. This happens due to certain microorganisms in the digestive system. As a result, a person may feel drunk even without consuming alcohol.
Some of the microorganisms linked to ABS include:
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae
- Candida albicans
- S. boulardii
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Citrobacter freundii
Experts say it is not caused by just one strain but by a complex imbalance in gut bacteria.
Who Is at Risk?
Auto-Brewery Syndrome is extremely rare. Fewer than 100 cases had been reported worldwide as of 2021. However, experts believe it may be underdiagnosed.
Risk factors include:
- High-carbohydrate diet
- Diabetes
- Alcoholism
- Long-term antibiotic use
- Gastrointestinal surgeries
- Crohn’s disease
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Genetic factors
Interestingly, even people without major health issues have been diagnosed with ABS. Research suggests that affected individuals often have food sensitivities, allergies, and overall poor gut health. They were also found to consume less tea, coffee, and dairy, while drinking more water.
Should You Stop Eating Bread?
While bread is convenient and widely consumed, experts say moderation is key. Auto-Brewery Syndrome remains rare, but it highlights how an unhealthy gut microbiome can disrupt normal body functions.
If someone experiences unexplained signs of intoxication without drinking alcohol, medical advice should be sought immediately to rule out underlying gut-related conditions.
For now, the debate continues — but one thing is clear: what we eat daily can have a deeper impact on our gut health than we may realise.
