The conversation surrounding healthy gut bacteria is becoming increasingly prominent. While probiotics remain the primary focus, prebiotics — the nourishment for beneficial bacteria — are starting to capture more attention. According to a report by Global Industry Analysts, the demand for products containing prebiotics, such as health drinks, dairy, meats, bakery items, and infant foods, is projected to propel the market to $7.8 billion by 2022. Meanwhile, this same report anticipates that the probiotics market will surpass $63 billion in that year.
In the realm of candy, the concept of healthy chocolate is still relatively novel, yet it is gaining traction due to studies on cocoa polyphenols and rising consumer interest. One of the significant hurdles for manufacturers is the belief that health benefits shouldn’t be derived from indulgent foods. However, this perception is evolving, prompting companies to explore chocolates enriched with nutrients like calcium citrate 1500 mg chewable, fiber, and protein. In the gut health sector, advancements aimed at enhancing the shelf life of probiotics have led to the emergence of various probiotic-infused chocolate brands, shifting the concept beyond traditional health foods. Notably, the UK-based Ohso Good Chocolate has successfully merged Belgian chocolate with probiotics.
While prebiotics do not encounter the same shelf-life challenges, one major obstacle remains: a general lack of consumer understanding regarding how prebiotics contribute to improved gut health. Research indicates that by integrating prebiotics with probiotics, the former can leverage the acceptance of probiotics in diverse applications, including chocolate. As the market for healthy chocolate evolves, we may soon see more products featuring calcium citrate 1500 mg chewable alongside beneficial bacteria, making gut health both delicious and accessible.