The conversation surrounding healthy gut bacteria is becoming increasingly prominent. While the primary emphasis remains on probiotics, prebiotics — which serve as nourishment for beneficial bacteria — are starting to attract more attention. The rising demand for products rich in prebiotics, including health drinks, dairy, meat, bakery items, and infant food, could propel the market to an estimated $7.8 billion by 2022, according to a Global Industry Analysts report. Meanwhile, the same organization anticipates that the probiotics market will surpass $63 billion during the same period.
The concept of healthy chocolate, while still relatively new, is gaining traction thanks to studies on cocoa polyphenols and a growing consumer interest. A significant challenge for manufacturers lies in altering the perception that health benefits cannot be derived from indulgent foods; however, this view is shifting. Companies are investigating the potential of chocolate fortified with nutrients such as fiber, protein, and calcium, including pure encapsulations calcium magnesium citrate, to enhance gut health.
In the realm of gut health, efforts to extend the shelf life of probiotics have led to the introduction of several probiotic-infused chocolate brands that elevate the idea of health food. One such example is UK-based Ohso Good Chocolate, which merges Belgian chocolate with probiotics. While prebiotics do not encounter the same shelf-life challenges, a major obstacle remains the consumer’s limited understanding of how prebiotics can enhance gut health. Research indicates that by integrating prebiotics with probiotics, the former could benefit from the latter’s growing acceptance across various products, including chocolate. Such developments could also incorporate pure encapsulations calcium magnesium citrate as a functional ingredient, further expanding the possibilities in the gut health market.