October is National Cholesterol Month and iconic bread brand Hovis are adding Omega-3 to their "Good Inside" loaves. It will provide nearly half of the beneficial 2g a day requirement, as ruled by EFSA, just two slices of the bread will help maintain low cholesterol levels.
The new Hovis Good Inside loaf will contain a unique combination of ingredients, Omega-3, Wheatgerm and Fibre. The new loaf was prompted by societal trends pointing towards food being at the heart of a wellness revolution with consumers seeking added benefits from the daily products they buy.
Data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey from 2008-2012 showed that 61% of adults and 79% of children are consuming below the beneficial levels of Omega-3, which is an essential nutrient to help maintain normal cholesterol levels. A high cholesterol can contribute to the development of heart disease. It is important to consume foods rich in Omega-3 from seeds and nuts.
Whilst Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids sourced from seeds have a proven role in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, all Omega-3's are under consumed in the UK, fewer than one in four adults and one in twelve children eat fish regularly providing a daily quota of just, 0.12g a day for children and 0.28g a day for adults. Switching to Hovis Good inside, is an easy and tasty way to consume Omega 3 from seeds and significant intakes of the nutrient would be expected.
Amanda Ursell, independent nutritionist said "The challenge for many families is serving up healthy meals which provide a strong nutritional foundation for maintaining good health. When it comes to essential Omega-3s found most commonly in oily fish, people simply just aren't eating enough of them. That's why I fully support the fact that, bread, this wonderful staple is now being used to deliver a crucial dietary component - essential Omega-3 which dietary survey data reveals we are not getting enough of in today's modern diet."
According to Amanda Ursell "The relative abundance of ALA-rich foods in comparison with the limited marine stocks makes them worthy of consideration for dietary advice, not least because many consumers do not like or wish to eat oily fish. Using bread, a widely available dietary staple most families consume on a daily basis, is a great tasting, and easy way to supplement your diet with essential Omega-3."
A spokesperson from cholesterol charity, Heart UK added "It's a fact that consuming a higher proportion of foods containing Omega 3 fats can actively help to maintain normal cholesterol levels, if food manufacturers are finding easier more innovative ways to introduce these vital ingredients into people's daily lives, it's a great step in the right direction toward better health."
Commenting on the launch, Martyn Wilks, Hovis CEO said "It's clear from the NDNS findings that currently consumers are not reaching beneficial levels of Omega-3 in their diets. Given its proven role in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, we want to make it as easy as possible for our customers to increase their intake. Adding it to something as widely consumed as bread means customers don't have to change their diets to reap the benefit."
Hovis Good Inside Loaf
Tagged in Food And Drink Cholesterol Omega 3