Festive Cranberry & Dark Chocolate Bark
You can have your dessert and love your gut microbiome
Dark chocolate is rich in polyphenols that act as prebiotics — feeding beneficial gut bacteria and supporting overall microbial diversity.
Cranberries offer their own polyphenols and act as a natural antibiotic and probiotic-like support, helping balance the microbiome in a gentle way.
Pecans are one of the best food sources for feeding gut microbes that produce 3-indolepropionic acid (IPA) — a powerful anti-inflammatory metabolite known for strengthening the gut barrier and protecting against oxidative stress.
A simple, gut-supportive Christmas-friendly dessert. Each ingredient supports the health of the microbiome and the gut barrier.
Ingredients
200g dark chocolate (70–85%) - rich in prebiotic polyphenols
½ cup dried cranberries - a natural antibiotic and probiotic-like support
½ cup chopped pecans - feed 3-indolepropionic acid (IPA) producers, creating a powerful anti-inflammatory metabolite known for strengthening the gut barrier and protecting against systemic inflammation
A light sprinkle of Himalayan or Celtic sea salt
Method
Melt chocolate.
Line a tray with baking paper.
Spread melted chocolate into a thin layer.
Sprinkle cranberries, pecans and a delicate pinch of salt..
Refrigerate until firm.
Break into shards.
Perfect for gifting or keeping in the fridge for guests.