Lovingly Artisan has added two new ‘better for you’ sourdough loaves to its range – a Spelt, Golden and Brown Linseed Seed Bread and a Sunflower Seed Danish Rugbrød.

The breads were developed by owner and baker Aidan Monks, who was named Baker of the Year at the 2019 Baking Industry Awards, to help people maintain a balanced diet and healthy body. They focus specifically on gut health, according to Lovingly Artisan, which has tapped this trend previously with its award-winning Kombucha Sourdough.

The Spelt, Golden and Brown Linseed Seed Bread is described as one that “packs a real punch”. It features wholegrain spelt, which is said to improve heart health and aid digestion, alongside linseed seeds (also known as flax seeds). These ingredients, the bakery said, brought an array of vitamins and nutrients to the loaf, including iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and potassium.

Meanwhile, the Sunflower Seed Danish Rugbrød, also known as rye bread, is described as a “healthy bread, full of texture and loaded with flavour”.

Both loaves are priced £4 and are available at the Lovingly Artisan Bread Store at Plumgarth’s, Kendal and at Lovingly Artisan’s Altrincham Market Bakery, Manchester.

“Fermented food has soared in popularity in recent years, in part thanks to the ever-increasing interest in and research into gut health; people are beginning to realise the importance of eating foods that aid absorption and increase healthy probiotics in the gut,” said Monks.

“As bakers we want to be at the forefront of this resurgence in traditionally made breads, real breads made by artisan bakers, that are high in fibre, full of nutrients and are easily digested because they are naturally fermented and don’t contain the array of additives, manufactured yeasts and processed sugars that you find in a factory-produced sliced loaf.”