London: A cholesterol-cutting loaf has been launched by the supermarket chain Tesco in the UK.

The white loaf is fortified with oat bran, which is known to help reduce cholesterol and well as having a low GI.

The bread which costs 88p is being trialed at half of the supermarket’s stores around the country and will be available in all shops if a success. Tesco believes it will appeal to customers’ growing appetite for ‘healthy’ or ‘functional’ foods, enriched with vitamins, minerals and healthy fats such as omega 3.

Brown and multi-grain versions are likely to follow. The key ingredient is beta-glucan, a soluble fibre found in the oat husk, which capable of tricking the body into breaking down more cholesterol than usual.