Russian rye bread and pumpernickel are dense, dark-colored breads that have a pungent flavor and are slightly sour. Although available locally at most grocery stores, Russian rye bread has its origins in Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and Russia. Pumpernickel bread has its origins in the Westphalia region of Germany. Even though rye flour is the main ingredient used in both breads, the recipes and preparation methods of the traditional Russian rye bread and pumpernickel are quite different from one another.

Traditionally Russians baked inexpensive and nutritious Russian rye bread from a recipe passed on for generations. The recipe for Russian rye bread just needs rye flour, sourdough, water and salt, according to Russia InfoCenter. Made over the course of five days from rye flour and water, sourdough is used as a rising agent. In contrast to traditional Russian rye bread, the Russian rye bread available in most grocery stores has yeast instead of sourdough as a rising agent and contains many more ingredients, some of which include enriched flour, rye flour, water, salt and oil.

The original recipe for pumpernickel bread uses boiled rye meal as its main ingredient. Traditional baking of pumpernickel bread consists of two stages according to the German Food Guide: an initial baking period of two hours, followed by steaming in the oven for an additional 16 to 24 hours. The prolonged cooking time causes the rye starch to caramelize and give pumpernickel bread its rich, dark color. American pumpernickel bread differs from traditional pumpernickel bread as it contains wheat flour in addition to rye flour, and gets its dark color from molasses, coffee or cocoa powder that is added to the dough as coloring agents.

One serving or one slice of a popular brand of Russian rye bread provides 70 calories, the majority of which are contributed by carbohydrates. It also provides 4 percent of the daily value of dietary fiber and 2 percent of the daily value for calcium. On the other hand, one slice or one serving of pumpernickel bread provides 90 calories, most of which are from carbohydrates. However, a slice of pumpernickel bread provides 16 percent of the daily value for fiber, which is four times more than that provided by a slice of Russian rye bread. Additionally, pumpernickel bread provides 10 percent of the daily value for vitamins A, D, and E, and of calcium.

Rye as an ingredient in breads can have a positive effect on health. This is due to the presence of fiber, phenolic acids, lignans, alkylresorcinos and other bioactive compounds in rye. The high content of fiber in breads containing rye can help to maintain bowel health by preventing constipation. Furthermore, consumption of rye breads may also reduce risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer, and even help in weight loss.