Nearly three quarters of Britons are unable to identify the ingredients in the bread they buy and eat, new research has revealed.
This figure comes from research released by food brand Biona, which found 73 per cent of people are unable to identify the 10 most common additives and preservatives found in everyday loaves sold in supermarkets.
These are substances added to food to preserve flavour, prolong shelf life and enhance appearance, texture and nutritional value.
Meanwhile, 93 per cent of were unaware a slice of bread can contain up to 19 additives and preservatives, and 40 per cent believed it had less than 10 ingredients.
Bread is the most processed food eaten every day, despite 36 per cent of Britons saying they’re trying to reduce the number of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) they consume.
The findings are part of the brand’s ‘Rye January’ campaign which encourages consumers to swap their usual bread for rye bread throughout January.
Rye bread, which is part of the sourdough family, is rising in popularity in the UK with nearly 30 per cent having tried it.
The considered healthier alternative is made with only four organic ingredients using a traditional fermentation process and is yeast, wheat and dairy free.
Nearly three in four Britons can’t name the ingredients in their daily bread, finds new research
The fresh findings are part of a campaign which is encouraging people to switch to rye bread
Research has shown that rye bread improves blood sugar control, reduces cholesterol by up to 14 per cent and keeps people fuller for longer.
This is because of its high-fibre and low GI profile which means it is digested more slowly and does not spike blood sugar levels, causing hunger pangs.
An expert who hails rye bread for its health-boosting effects is Dr Rupy Aujla, a GP and author of The Doctor’s Kitchen.
He said: ‘As a GP, I always encourage people to make simple swaps to everyday food items that can have significant health benefits and rye bread is one of these.
‘Rye bread is high in fibre, low on the GI index, can reduce cholesterol as well as keeping you fuller for longer and providing a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals.
‘Rye bread is also fermented and wheat and yeast free so a brilliant nutritious, real food to add into your diet.
‘Biona’s rye bread wins for me as it contains only four organic ingredients – just like bread should be.’
The new research comes as almost half of Britons surveyed said they were ‘concerned’ about what’s in their daily bread.
Food additives and preservatives are found in ultra-processed foods found in many homes
A further nearly 30 per cent claimed to have become increasingly obsessed with understanding exactly what chemicals are in their diet.
Research has linked additives in ultra-processed food to an array of health issues and even death.
Earlier this year, German researchers who looked at data of over 180,000 participants broke down the worst food additives into five categories.
This included flavouring, flavour enhancers, colour agents, sweeteners and varieties of sugars – which are all found in ultra-processed foods.
They went further to identify 12 specific markers of ultra-processed foods that were found to significantly increase risk of death.
These included the flavour enhancers glutamate and ribonucleotides, as well as the sweeteners acesulfame, saccharin and sucralose.
It also included processing aids like caking agents, firming agents, gelling agents and thickeners as well as the sugars fructose, inverted sugar, lactose and maltodextrin.
Other studies have linked UPFs to obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers and an early death.