Australian-based Norti Nutrition has introduced a line of gut-healthy chocolate bars to the U.S. market.

Norti's chocolate bars are enriched with prebiotics and probiotics to support healthy gut bacteria. Probiotics are the helpful bacteria and yeast that make up the human microbiome, or gut environment. 

The health and diversity of these good bacteria play a major role in the overall health of the entire body. There are many different strains of probiotics, each from a different origin, performing a different function. A few common types of probiotics are Bacillus, Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus and Lactobacillus.

Norti is also selective about where it sources probiotics. Most types of edible probiotic supplements are fermentation-based; they have to be refrigerated to keep the bacteria cultures alive and active. Norti uses soil-based probiotics, which naturally occur in nutrient-dense earth. Unlike other probiotic strains they are shelf stable and activate when they enter the gut. Soil-based probiotics are also more acid resistant, so they will make it to the intestines, delivering the greatest amount of nutrients to the rest of the body.

Prebiotics are food for probiotics. They feed the probiotic cultures that need to be kept alive and happy in the microbiome. Prebiotics are found in a variety of healthy foods such as bananas, oats, whole grains and now chocolate.

Norti’s chocolate bars contain no dairy, gluten and added sugar and are sweetened with xylitol and chicory root. They’re available in a 1.4-oz. Low Carb Chocolate Bar and a 1.6-oz. Protein Performance Chocolate Bar, with 9 grams of protein.

Norti’s products are available online, with a 12-ct. package of the Low Carb bars retailing for $59.99. A 12-ct. package of the Protein Performance bars retail for $65.99.