The Microbial Secrets of Sour Dough

Sourdough is the oldest form of leavened bread and was used at least as early as ancient Egypt. It was probably discovered by accident when bread dough was left out and good microorganisms where accidentally added to the dough from the surrounding environment. The resulting bread had a lighter texture and better taste.

Limosilactobacillus fermentum is able to make lactic acid from the available carbohydrates found in flour. This bacterium is part of the lactobacillus genus and therefore as mentioned has an ability to produce lactic acid.

(https://fermentationstations.wordpress.com/2016/09/23/lactobacillus-acidophilus/)
(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234703/)

The fermentation process reduces the gluten content and enhances the bioavailability of nutrients in the flour. Studies have shown that the fermenting process in sourdough releases more fibre, which can in turn help gut health, and change the microbiota of the gut by encouraging the growth of helpful bacteria.

Sourdough bread most commonly uses lactobacillus cultures, a kind of lactic acid bacteria, which lend the bread its notable sour flavour. These bacteria thrive in acidic environments, producing lactic acid in response to the conversion of available carbohydrate into the sugars they need to survive. Carbon dioxide, a bi-product of the fermentation process in these and other sourdough microbes, helps the dough to rise and give it its structure.

Limosilactobacillus fermentum is a Gram-positive species in the heterofermentative genus Limosilactobacillus. It is also commonly found and used in fermenting animal and plant material, including sourdough and cocoa fermentation. A few strains are considered probiotic or friendly bacteria.

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_microorganisms_found_in_sourdough)
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0963996906001979)

Absolutely Not!
Lactobacillus may help your body:
-Break down food
-Absorb nutrients
-Resist infections in the gastrointestinal tract
However this type of bacteria can lead to increased bacteria living in the human gut which can in turn lead to bloating. All in all the good outweighs the bad with this bacterium.

(https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lactobacillus-uses-and-risks)