White bread is a common food in Britain, but it’s not very nutritious. Health experts worry about this. Now, the government is funding research to make a healthier white bread. This new bread will be as nutritious as wholemeal bread.
Dr. Catherine Howarth from Aberystwyth University is leading a project. The goal is to improve bread. The plan is to add a little bit of peas, beans, and cereals to the bread mix. It also includes adding back wheat germ and bran. Usually, these parts are taken out when making flour. These additions not only increase the protein content but also provide essential vitamins and minerals.
But creating a healthier white bread is not an easy task. The researchers must carefully balance nutritional values while still replicating the taste and texture of traditional white bread. To achieve this, they are experimenting with different grains such as quinoa, teff, sorghum, and millet to enhance the iron, zinc, and vitamin levels. Green peas and chickpeas are also being added for extra protein.
Chris Holister from Gloucestershire flour producer Shipton Mill will then turn these recipes into actual loaves of bread for testing. The team is confident their method will work. They are using the inner layer of bran. It has a milder flavor than the outer layer.
The ultimate goal of this research is to encourage more people to consume whole grains for better health. As Professor Tim Lang from City University puts it: The British have had a love affair with white bread for more than a century and nutritionists have longed to get more people to eat the whole grain. This new approach may just be the solution we need.
Testing time: Will consumers be able to tell the difference?
Once the bread has been made, it will be time for testing. Consumers will have the opportunity to taste the new white bread and see if they can tell it apart from traditional white loaves found in supermarkets.
This is an important step in determining the success of this project. Many people understand that wholemeal bread is healthier. However, they might not like its taste or are used to white bread. If a new version tastes good and is just as nutritious, it could improve their eating habits.
The verdict is still out
While this new approach to creating healthier white bread seems promising, there are still some skeptics. Some people think it’s just tricking others to eat better. However, nutritionists believe the method doesn’t matter. The important thing is that people eat more whole grains for improved health.
The future success of this project is uncertain. However, one thing is clear. Our love for white bread may soon include extra nutritional benefits.
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