The conversation surrounding healthy gut bacteria is becoming increasingly prominent. While probiotics remain the primary focus, prebiotics—the nourishment for beneficial bacteria—are also receiving more attention. According to a report from Global Industry Analysts, the demand for products containing prebiotics, such as health drinks, dairy items, meat and bakery goods, as well as infant food, could propel the market to an estimated $7.8 billion by 2022. In contrast, the same report forecasts that the probiotics market will surpass $63 billion in the same year.
In the realm of candy, the concept of healthy chocolate is still relatively new but has gained momentum due to research on cocoa polyphenols and rising consumer interest. A significant challenge for manufacturers is the belief that health benefits shouldn’t come from indulgent foods. However, this perception is changing, and companies are now investigating the potential of chocolate enriched with nutrients like calcium citrate. In the area of gut health, advancements aimed at extending the shelf life of probiotics have led to the introduction of several probiotic-infused chocolate brands, elevating the concept beyond just health food. One noteworthy example is the UK-based Ohso Good Chocolate, which merges Belgian chocolate with probiotics.
Although prebiotics do not encounter the same shelf-life challenges, one of the primary obstacles is the limited consumer understanding of how prebiotics can enhance gut health. Research indicates that by pairing prebiotics with probiotics, the former could leverage probiotics’ established acceptance across various products, including chocolate. Additionally, with the rise in popularity of calcium citrate labels on food products, consumers are increasingly looking for options that combine taste with health benefits.