A few weeks ago I was sent a couple of blocks of Ohso chocolate by a local PR agency for my opinion as it is just coming to Australia. Ohso is a new chocolate bar from Belgium with a key difference to other chocolate…. each serving is packed with over a billion live bacteria!
Now we know that research has found that probiotics can assist with a range of digestive processes including:
• reducing the duration and severity of diarrhoea,
• decreasing unfriendly bacteria in the gut, and
• optimising your immune system.
My thoughts?
A few weeks ago I was sent a couple of blocks of Ohso chocolate by a local PR agency for my opinion as it is just coming to Australia. Ohso is a new chocolate bar from Belgium with a key difference to other chocolate…. each serving is packed with over a billion live bacteria!
Now we know that research has found that probiotics can assist with a range of digestive processes including:
• reducing the duration and severity of diarrhoea,
• decreasing unfriendly bacteria in the gut, and
• optimising your immune system.
My thoughts?
Nutrition
Ohso claim that their probiotics are ‘delivered 3 times more effectively than in dairy products’ due to them being uniquely microencapsulated to help protect them against digestion so they can make it safely into the gut where they are utilised. I have to admit that I haven’t yet seen the research papers to back this up, but it does sound like an interesting theory. Personally, I don’t know that I’d be recommending eating chocolate to a client with diarrhoea just so they can increase their intake of good bacteria, however I do think that if you’re going to be eating chocolate anyway, adding some additional probiotics does sound like a good idea.
We analysed the nutritional panels, and compared to other chocolate, the results weren’t too bad! Ohso chocolate contains between 53 – 70% cocoa solids (the ingredient that provides us with flavanol antioxidants which are believed to help to reduce blood pressure). The more cocoa solids in a chocolate the better; so this rates on the higher side than many chocolates available. They also have no added sugar varieties which use artificial sweeteners, which may be appealing to some people.
As a dietitian, I appreciate the fact that the blocks are small (95g), and that they contain individually wrapped squares which really help you to limit your portions. Of course, being rich in cocoa solids also makes a small portion quite satisfying.
Taste
Ohso chocolate comes in many different flavours including classic, orange, and no added sugar flavours with a choice of raspberry, lemon, or plain.
I shared the chocolate around the girls in the office, and I have to admit, we were all impressed with the taste. But what can I say? Who doesn’t like chocolate?
Overall
Well, I’m not sure that I’m ready to say ‘go out and buy this chocolate to help increase your intake of probiotics’; I think that it’s more important for most people to be increasing their yoghurt intake than their chocolate intake. However, if you ARE going to eat chocolate, I have to admit, it might be a better option than many others available on the market.
Note: Ohso chocolate is available at ‘Healthy Life’ stores nationally and apparently will be available in pharmacies soon.
