The conversation surrounding healthy gut bacteria continues to grow louder. While the spotlight remains on probiotics, prebiotics — the nourishment for beneficial bacteria — are starting to capture more attention. A report from Global Industry Analysts suggests that the demand for products containing prebiotics, such as health drinks, dairy items, meat and bakery products, and infant food, could propel the market to reach $7.8 billion by 2022. In comparison, the same report forecasts the probiotics market will surpass $63 billion in that year.
When it comes to candy, the concept of healthy chocolate is still relatively new, but it has been supported by research into cocoa polyphenols and a rising consumer interest. A significant challenge for manufacturers lies in the perception that health benefits should not be associated with indulgent foods. However, this viewpoint is changing, and companies are investigating the possibilities of chocolate enriched with nutrients, such as calcium citrate plus magnesium, fiber, and protein. In the realm of gut health, advancements aimed at enhancing the shelf life of probiotics have led to the emergence of several probiotic-infused chocolate brands that elevate the idea beyond mere health food. For instance, UK-based Ohso Good Chocolate has successfully blended Belgian chocolate with probiotics.
While prebiotics do not encounter the same shelf-life challenges, one of the major obstacles they face is the general lack of consumer awareness regarding their role in enhancing gut health. Research indicates that by pairing prebiotics with probiotics, the former could leverage the latter’s acceptance across various products, including chocolate. This synergy may also extend to formulations containing calcium citrate plus magnesium, further promoting gut health in a delicious way.