As Easter approaches, many will fill baskets with chocolate treats for children and adults alike.
While dark chocolate is known for its antioxidants, a recent study in ACS Food Science & Technology suggests that adding pre- and probiotics could make it even more beneficial for gut health.
However, flavoring agents can impact properties such as moisture levels and protein content.
- Chocolate’s texture makes it feel good to eat, rather than taste
- Heavy metals found in many popular dark chocolate bars
- What the choc: Dark chocolate could reduce type 2 diabetes risk
Probiotics, found in fermented foods like yogurt and kimchi, are living microbes that support gut health by promoting beneficial bacteria.
To help these microbes survive digestion, prebiotics – substances like dietary fibres – are often included to create synbiotic foods.
Since chocolate is a widely enjoyed treat, researchers have experimented with ways to incorporate pre- and probiotics into it.
To simplify the process, researchers tested natural prebiotics – corn and honey – combined with probiotics in fortified chocolate.
The team created five chocolate samples:
- A basic chocolate recipe with cocoa butter, cocoa powder and milk powder
- Four synbiotic variations containing prebiotics (corn and honey), probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14 or Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG) and flavour additives (cinnamon or orange)
Key findings included:
- Antioxidant boost: The synbiotic chocolates had higher antioxidant levels than the control.
- Impact of flavorings: Orange flavoring decreased pH, increased moisture and raised protein levels.
- Texture changes: The synbiotic chocolates had a softer texture, suggesting that added ingredients altered the chocolate’s structure.
- Probiotic survival: The probiotics remained viable for more than 125 days and survived simulated digestion for over 5 hours.
The researchers also sampled the chocolates themselves. “We enjoyed the orange-flavored chocolates the most, as the citrus complemented the rich cocoa and created a luxurious texture,” said Gaur.
Looking ahead, the team plans to explore additional health benefits and refine sensory and nutritional profiles to develop an even more wholesome treat.
As research continues, probiotic-enriched chocolate could become a functional food that supports gut health while satisfying a sweet tooth.
