Niacin - Vitamin B3

Sly Saint

Sly Saint

Senior Member (Voting Rights)
A vitamin added to cereals, bread and pasta might be linked to heart disease, a study found.

Niacin, found in many breakfast cereals and other 'enriched' or 'fortified' products, is a common B vitamin previously recommended to lower cholesterol.

But researchers found a chemical called 4PY, created when the body breaks down excess niacin, is strongly associated with heart attacks, strokes and cardiac conditions.

Dr Stanley Hazen, of the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, said niacin could be a 'previously unrecognised yet significant contributor' to the development of cardiovascular disease.

'The main takeaway is not that we should cut out our entire intake of niacin [but] a discussion over whether a continued mandate of flour and cereal fortification with niacin could be warranted,' he said.

Revealed: The foods that contain niacin

For decades, it has been a legal requirement to fortify all white flour sold in the UK with niacin. The amount that must be added — 2.4mg per 100g — was increased by the Government in 2022.
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Health warning over vitamin added to breakfast cereals, pasta and bread as scientists find it may be a 'significant' driver of heart attacks and strokes
 
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