The Sourdough School

DIVERSITY BREAD® || PERSONALISED BREAD || BAKING AS LIFESTYLE MEDICINE

Bake With The Hands Of An Artisan And The Mind Of A Clinician

Set within the walled gardens of Dr Vanessa Kimbell’s beautiful Victorian home in rural Northamptonshire, The Sourdough School is home to the Proven Bread Programme, teaching the art and science of nutrition, the gut microbiome and fermentation in bread. We train bakers to produce Diversity Bread® and healthcare professionals to personalise bread through Baking as Lifestyle Medicine. Arrange a conversation today.

WhatsApp: +44(0)7813308301
[email protected]
Follow on Instagram

Book A Consultation
Student Login

204 - ‘Prebiotic evaluation of cocoa-derived flavanols in healthy humans by using a randomized, controlled, double-blind, crossover intervention study’. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 93(1), 62-72

Reference Number: 204

Year: 2010

Authors: Tzounis X et al

Link: Link to original paper

Health: Gut Microbiome - Creating Healthier Bread to Support Optimal Gut Health

Nutrition: Flavonoids

Inclusions: Cocoa

Summary

The absorption of cocoa flavanols in the small intestine is limited, and the majority of the flavanols reach the large intestine where they may be metabolized by resident microbiota.

We assessed the prebiotic potential of cocoa flavanols in a randomized, double-blind, crossover, controlled intervention study.

This study shows, for the first time to our knowledge, that consumption of cocoa flavanols can significantly affect the growth of select gut microflora in humans, which suggests the potential prebiotic benefits associated with the dietary inclusion of flavanol-rich foods.

 

SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS STUDY

Using cocoa as an inclusion in baking may help to modify the gut microbiome and bring associated health benefits.

All reasonable care is taken when writing about health aspects of bread, but the information it contains is not intended to take the place of treatment by a qualified medical practitioner. You must seek professional advice if you are in any doubt about any medical condition. Any application of the ideas and information contained on this website is at the reader’s sole discretion and risk.