Meiji has joined hands with skincare and cosmetic brand Albion in launching chocolates and jelly drinks containing glucosylceramide, which Meiji claims is a moisturising ingredient derived from cacao.
Japanese researchers have found that eight-weeks’ consumption of a beverage containing flavanol-rich cacao extract reduced negative mood and improved positive mood among middle-aged women.
Consumption of a cacao polyphenol-rich chocolate was shown to reduce post-meal plasma glucose rise, according to a recent study funded by Meiji and undertaken by the University of Shizuoka in Japan.
Chocolate consumption in China still lags behind its neighbours in the confectionery category, but it is increasingly finding flavour through innovation in local cuisine – including steamed buns and even rice.
Japanese confectionery company Ezaki Glico has reported strong demand for its Mental Balance Chocolate GABA for Sleep, which carries a food with function claim (FFC).
A review of published studies concerning chocolate consumption and bone health found that moderate chocolate intake was linked to greater longitudinal bone growth in adolescents, but little to negative bone effects for postmenopausal women.
Eating dark chocolate was linked to improvement of several markers of cardiovascular health, according to results from a clinical trial of 30 participants conducted in Portugal.
Allergen-Free Foods, an arm of Nikkoh Co., is targeting growth with free-from chocolates after establishing an independent factory to develop products that do not contain 27 types of allergens.