In Ireland, during the Famine, prior to 1848, brown bread was handed out to the poor, because it was considered a less desirable grain product. However, by 1865, due to recently discovered health benefits of bran, brown meal's London price had increased to a point often greater than that of fine flour. Basically, brown bread is made with significant amounts of whole grain flour, usually wheat, and sometimes dark-colored ingredients such as molasses or coffee. When it comes to food, the thumb rule is to opt for naturally brown or dark colored food as they are rich in nutrients, antioxidants and phytochemicals that help the body to deal with cell damaging free radicals.