Believe Big > Blog > Glyphosate in Bread & Gut Health | What the Science Shows

Glyphosate in Bread & Gut Health | What the Science Shows

February 9, 2026 Blog, Nutrition Therapy

Bread is one of the most common foods in the American diet—yet for many people struggling with bloating, inflammation, leaky gut, or digestive discomfort, bread is often the first food to raise red flags. While gluten usually takes the blame, emerging research suggests another factor may be playing a role: glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup weed killer.

Glyphosate isn’t meant to be consumed, yet testing continues to reveal its presence in popular bread brands. This has raised important questions about gut health, food quality, and long-term health effects, especially for children and individuals on a healing journey.

What Is Glyphosate—and Why Is It Found in Bread?

Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide applied to crops such as wheat, oats, and corn—often as a desiccant sprayed shortly before harvest. This practice can increase yield and speed drying, but it also leaves trace residues behind in food products made from those crops.

Recent Florida Department of Agriculture testing found that six out of eight popular bread brands contained detectable levels of glyphosate. While all levels tested fell below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s legal limits, state officials emphasized that glyphosate is not intended for human consumption.

Glyphosate Levels Found in Popular Bread Brands

(Insert Believe Big–branded chart here)

Highest levels detected:

  • Sara Lee: Honey Wheat – 191.04 ppb
  • Nature’s Own: Butter Bread – 190.23 ppb
  • Wonder Bread: Classic White – 173.19 ppb
  • Nature’s Own: Perfectly Crafted White – 132.34 ppb

Lower or non-detectable levels:

  • Dave’s Killer Bread: White Bread Done Right– 11.85 ppb
  • Dave’s Killer Bread: 21 Whole Grain– 10.38 ppb
  • Sara Lee: Artesano White – No detectable glyphosate
  • Pepperidge Farm: Farmhouse Hearty White – No detectable glyphosate

Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo noted that chronic glyphosate exposure has been linked to gut microbiome disruption, liver inflammation, and neurologic effects, particularly concerning for children and those already dealing with health challenges.

Glyphosate Levels in Popular Bread Brands

How Glyphosate May Affect Gut Health

Your gut microbiome relies on a delicate balance of beneficial bacteria. Research suggests glyphosate may interfere with this balance by:

  • Disrupting beneficial gut bacteria while allowing harmful strains to thrive
  • Increasing intestinal permeability (often called leaky gut)
  • Contributing to inflammation that impacts digestion, immunity, and overall health

International studies reinforce these concerns. A 2022 Lebanon study found glyphosate in 100% of flour samples and 80% of bread samples tested, and a 2024 report revealed surprisingly high glyphosate levels in some non-GMO labeled products, up to 1,150 ppb in one whole wheat bread.

The science remains debated: the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans,” while the U.S. EPA maintains it is “not likely” to cause cancer. What’s clear is that many consumers want transparency—and options.

Bread, Gut Health, and the Cancering Journey

For individuals navigating cancer treatment or recovery, gut health becomes even more critical. Digestion, nutrient absorption, immune response, and inflammation are all deeply connected to the gut.

At Believe Big, we’ve explored this connection in depth through expert-led conversations, including:

🎧 Believe Big Podcast Episodes

 

🎥 Food for Thought: Gut Health & Food Quality

These webinars go deeper into how food choices—including bread—impact gut healing:

How to Choose Better Bread for Gut Health

If bread is part of your diet, small shifts can make a meaningful difference:

  • Choose organic or glyphosate-free certified grains when possible
  • Look for short ingredient lists with whole, recognizable foods
  • Consider sourdough or traditionally fermented breads
  • Rotate grains to reduce repeated exposure

Gut health isn’t about fear, it’s about informed, empowered choices that support healing and long-term wellness.

Bread doesn’t have to be the enemy, but food quality matters. Understanding what’s in your bread, how it’s grown, and how it affects the gut microbiome can help you make choices aligned with your health goals, especially during seasons of healing.

At Believe Big, we believe education leads to empowerment, and your gut is worth protecting.

 

Link to reference articles found here:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0956713522000871
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154325000146
https://foodbabe.com/healthiest-bread-on-the-market/comment-page-3/
https://www.facebook.com/onlyinswfl/photos/-the-florida-department-of-health-just-found-that-your-favorite-bread-is-laced-w/1311790690978049/

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