The conversation surrounding healthy gut bacteria is becoming increasingly prominent. While the primary attention remains on probiotics, prebiotics—the essential nourishment for beneficial bacteria—are also gaining significant traction. According to a report by Global Industry Analysts, the demand for products containing prebiotics, such as health drinks, dairy items, meats, baked goods, and infant food, is anticipated to propel the market to reach $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 sweets, the idea of healthy chocolate is still relatively novel but is gaining momentum thanks to research into cocoa polyphenols and a growing consumer interest. A major hurdle for manufacturers is the prevailing belief that health benefits should not be associated with indulgent foods. However, this mindset is evolving, and companies are investigating the possibilities of chocolate enriched with nutrients like calcium citrate, calcitriol, and zinc tablets. In the context of gut health, advancements aimed at extending the shelf life of probiotics have resulted in the emergence of various probiotic-infused chocolate brands, pushing the concept beyond traditional health foods. For instance, the 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 significant obstacles is the general lack of consumer awareness regarding how prebiotics contribute to gut health. Research indicates that by pairing prebiotics with probiotics, the former can leverage the latter’s acceptance across various products, including chocolate. As companies explore these synergies, the potential for incorporating beneficial ingredients like calcium citrate, calcitriol, and zinc tablets into their offerings may further enhance consumer appeal and understanding of gut health.