DESPITE the recent mini heatwave, the people of Northwich can expect to enjoy an average of just 84 days of sunshine each year.

And even when it’s sunny, we spend 90 percent of our time – or 53 years of our lives – indoors.

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So, with sunlight being the most important natural source of vitamin D, it’s little wonder that one in five adults in the county - and one in six children – don't get enough of it.

In a move to tackle any deficits – and as scientists call for its addition to our everyday foods – Rudheath-based Roberts bakery has mixed the ‘sunshine vit’ and wheat fibre into its family favourite vegan-friendly Thick and Medium Soft White loaves.

They’re an easy way to enhance our diet without having to change anything about how and what we eat. Even better, shopper tests prove that they taste exactly the same as the bakery’s standard sliced white loaves – but with extra goodness baked in. And they cost exactly the same too.

Northwich Guardian:

Roberts Bakery release a loaf for Aldi that has Vitamin D added to help with the lack of sun children are getting

Roberts bakery’s Karen Smith said: "Vitamin D is sometimes called the ‘sunshine vitamin’ because it’s produced in your skin in response to sunlight.

"Your body only produces vitamin D during spring and summer and, as many of us don’t spend enough time outside in the sunshine, it’s hard to get vitamin D from foods naturally.

"So, it’s encouraging that an increasing number of manufacturers, like us, are fortifying food with the nutrient.

"Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphorus in our bodies and is crucial for healthy bones and muscle function.

"Not getting enough of it can weaken your bones and leave you feeling run-down and sluggish.

“It’s also a vital immune ingredient for a healthy immune response.

"Studies show that the groups that are at increased risk of becoming very ill with Covid-19 are also those more commonly deficient in vitamin D."

Roberts’ added vitamin D sliced white loaves are on sale in selected Aldi stores for £1.05.

Top tips to top up your vitamin D intake:

  • Spend more time outdoors in the sunshine - but be careful not to burn. Take care to cover up or protect your skin with sunscreen beforehand
  • Eat more oily fish and seafood
  • Eat more mushrooms
  • Include egg yolks in your diet
  • Eat vitamin D fortified foods
  • Take a vitamin D supplement (10ug / micrograms daily)