Affordable breakfast food that just costs £1.20 lowers cholesterol and is full of fibre

Cholesterol levels can rise due to various factors, such as certain choices, lack of physical activity, smoking, being overweight or consuming alcohol. According to the NHS, "high cholesterol is when you have too much of a fatty substance in your blood."

The also highlights that individuals are more prone to high cholesterol if they are "over 50, a man, been through the menopause, or you're of South Asian or sub-Saharan African origin. It can also run in families."

can obstruct your blood vessels, potentially leading to heart complications or a stroke.

Although this condition doesn't present any symptoms, it can be detected through a blood test. It's advisable to have a general blood test every one to two years.

Fortunately, there's a item that can aid in lowering cholesterol, and it costs just £1.20, reports Surrey Live.

Chia seeds, part of the mint family and native to Central and South America, are often hailed as a superfood due to their numerous health benefits.

BBC Good Food reports that chia seeds are a "rich source of bone-healthy calcium, packed with fibre, help lower blood pressure and are useful for balancing blood sugar levels.",

So, how do chia seeds contribute to reducing cholesterol?

explains that the fibre in chia seeds can "lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and helps increase levels of heart-protective HDL cholesterol."

Chia seeds are a versatile superfood that can be sprinkled on overnight oats, blended into smoothies, incorporated into protein bar recipes, and of course, used to make chia pudding.

Just a small handful of these seeds (25g) can contribute an impressive 158mg of calcium to your diet, bolstering bone health.

These tiny but mighty seeds pack a nutritional punch with 4.1g of protein, 8.6g of fibre, 84mg of magnesium, 93mg of iron, and 15mg of zinc.

BBC Good Food highlights chia seeds are also a "healthy choice for those with diabetes".

Where to get chia seeds?

You can find a 150g bag of chia seeds at Asda for just £1.20, available both in-store and online.

Meanwhile, Home Bargains also offers Bradbury's Chia Seeds in a 200g bag for the same price of £1.20, ready to pick up in-store.