Press Release

Ever felt the need for a boost before an important business meeting, or wanted to get your partner in the mood?

Then look no further than your humble loaf of bread. For the launch of British Bread Month, scientists at Oxford University have created a set of sandwiches that are nutritionally designed to help prepare the body for certain situations.

The sandwiches may not be what are traditionally found on your supermarket shelf, but are easy for consumers to create at home. They were designed by Professor John Stanley, Lecturer in Biochemistry at Trinity College Oxford and Consultant in Nutrition. In each scenario, the sandwich ingredients, combined with the different types of bread, help provide the body with suitable nutrients for a range of scenarios that we face every day.

The five sandwiches are:

Business Meeting -
Chicken tikka with mango salsa with granary bread
To keep your brain active throughout an important meeting.

Aphrodisiac -
Open sandwich of ricotta and fresh fig on thick white bread
To get your body in the mood for a night of love.

Bedtime -
Smoked turkey with cream cheese with wholemeal bread
To help you get a good night's sleep.

Sports -
Apple and peanut butter with granary bread
To help boost your performance on the field or track.

Hangover -
Toasted chocolate banana sandwich with white bread
To help you start the day after the night before.

The pre-exercise sandwich, for example, provides a slow steady stream of energy to sustain you through your workout. Peanut butter is rich in protein, which helps to build and repair muscle. The granary bread provides a selection of B vitamins which are essential for the release of energy from food, while in Chinese medicine, apples are believed to reduce heat and have a cooling effect on the lungs.

Professor John Stanley said, “These sandwiches demonstrate that bread forms an essential part of a balanced diet. Mealtimes are increasingly becoming shorter, but a quick and easy sandwich can still give you a good dose of vitamins and minerals to help see you through the day, whatever you have to deal with.”

John White, Director of the Federation of Bakers, said, “We have long been saying that bread really is the best thing, and these sandwiches prove that bread is not only good for you, but still relevant to today's busy lifestyle. Penny for penny, bread is one of the most nutritious foods we can eat, and should provide the backbone to any diet.”