As Easter approaches, many people will fill baskets with chocolate treats for both children and adults. While dark chocolate already provides health benefits due to its antioxidants, a recent study in ACS Food Science & Technology suggests that adding prebiotics and probiotics could make it even more nutritious. However, flavoring agents can influence several factors, including moisture content and protein levels in chocolate products.
Enhancing Chocolate with Gut-Healthy Ingredients
Probiotics, commonly found in fermented foods like yogurt and kimchi, promote a healthy gut microbiome by increasing beneficial bacteria and yeasts. They can help with digestion and reduce inflammation. To support probiotic survival in the harsh environment of the gut, prebiotics—such as dietary fibers and oligosaccharides—are often included to create synbiotic foods.
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Chocolate, a widely loved treat, has been explored as a carrier for these beneficial components. However, some methods of incorporating prebiotics can be complex. Researchers Smriti Gaur and Shubhi Singh sought a simpler approach by using corn and honey as natural prebiotics in probiotic-enriched chocolate.
Creating and Testing Synbiotic Chocolates
The team developed five different chocolate samples for their study:
One control sample made with standard chocolate ingredients (cocoa butter, cocoa powder, and milk powder).
Four synbiotic samples containing a combination of prebiotics (corn and honey), probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14 or Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG), and a flavoring agent (cinnamon or orange).
The researchers then analyzed the properties of these chocolates and found some key differences:
Flavorings influenced characteristics: Orange flavoring lowered the pH, increased moisture, and boosted protein levels compared to other samples.
Antioxidant levels were higher in all four synbiotic chocolates than in the control sample.
Texture changed: The synbiotic chocolates had less "snap," suggesting that the added ingredients altered the chocolate’s structure.
Probiotic Survival and Longevity
Over time, the total microbial count in the synbiotic chocolates decreased, but the probiotics remained viable for 125 days, longer than reported in previous studies using different probiotic strains and prebiotics. When subjected to simulated digestion, the probiotics maintained substantial viability for more than five hours, demonstrating their potential effectiveness in supporting gut health.
A Taste Test and Future Research
The researchers also sampled their creations. "Personally, we enjoyed the orange-flavored chocolates the most, where the vibrant citrus notes complemented the rich cocoa, and it had a slightly softer texture that made each bite feel more luxurious," said Gaur.
Looking ahead, the team plans to explore additional health benefits of these chocolates while refining their sensory and nutritional profiles to develop an even more enjoyable and wholesome treat. This research highlights the potential for chocolate to be more than just an indulgence—it could become a functional food that supports digestive health.
Nebitno
