Van Houten Gut Health Cocoa
A delicious way to start your daily gut health routine. A new habit to support bowel movements and keep your digestive system in good condition, with the rich flavor of inulin and cacao.
Who It's For and When to Enjoy It
Product Overview
“Van Houten Gut Health Cocoa” is a Food with Function Claims made with Van Houten Pure Cocoa and the water-soluble dietary fiber inulin.
Inulin is a type of water-soluble dietary fiber also found in vegetables such as burdock root and onions. It has been reported to support bowel movements and help maintain good digestive health by increasing bifidobacteria, a type of beneficial bacteria, and balancing the gut flora.
Each 20g serving contains 5.2g of the functional ingredient inulin and 8.1g of dietary fiber. Get dietary fiber, which can be lacking in everyday diets, easily from delicious cocoa.
Another appealing feature is its mildly sweet flavor, which brings out the rich taste of cacao. Make it with warmed milk for a rich milk cocoa, or with hot water to enjoy cacao’s bitter notes.
Enjoy one cup a day as part of your daily health routine.
Product Features
Contains the water-soluble dietary fiber inulin
5.2g of inulin per cupContains 5.2g of the functional ingredient inulin per cup. It has been reported to support bowel movements and help maintain good digestive health by increasing bifidobacteria and balancing the gut flora.
8.1g of dietary fiber per cup
Rich in dietary fiberContains 8.1g of dietary fiber per 20g serving. Easily add dietary fiber, which can be lacking in a regular diet, to your usual cocoa time.
Authentic cacao from Van Houten
340mg of cacao polyphenolsMade with Van Houten Pure Cocoa to deliver cacao’s naturally rich aroma and deep flavor. Contains 340mg of cacao polyphenols per cup.
Authentic flavor with just the right amount of sweetness
Enjoy with milk or hot waterA mildly sweet flavor that brings out cacao’s taste. Enjoy it your way: make a rich milk cocoa with milk or a bitter cacao-flavored drink with hot water.
🌿 About Foods with Function Claims
This product is a Food with Function Claims for which the company has submitted a notification to the Consumer Affairs Agency of Japan, based on scientific evidence regarding the function of the functional ingredient inulin.
Inulin 5.2g per recommended daily serving of 20g
This product contains inulin. Inulin has been reported to support bowel movements and help maintain good digestive health by increasing bifidobacteria, a type of beneficial bacteria, and balancing the gut flora.
Enjoy one 20g cup per day as a guide.
K915 (information listed on the manufacturer’s official website)
※This claim is based on research reports on the functional ingredient inulin. The effects may vary between individuals. This product is not a medicine and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent disease.
🌱 What Is Inulin?
Inulin is a type of water-soluble dietary fiber also found in burdock root, onions, garlic, and other foods. It serves as food for beneficial gut bacteria, and its role in supporting a healthy gut environment is being studied.
Feeds beneficial bacteria
PrebioticInulin is a water-soluble dietary fiber used by gut bacteria. It serves as food for beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and supports the activity of gut bacteria.
Balances the gut flora
Helps maintain good digestive healthInulin has been reported to support bowel movements and help maintain good digestive health by increasing bifidobacteria and balancing the gut flora.
※Gut flora refers to the diverse community of bacteria that live in the gut.
🍽️ How to Enjoy
Use 20g per cup as a guide, and enjoy with warmed milk or hot water. For a smooth finish, first dissolve the powder thoroughly in a small amount of liquid.
☕ Hot Gut Health Cocoa
Enjoy it warm① Add 20g of this product (2 level tablespoons) to a cup.
② Add a small amount of warmed milk or hot water and stir well until smooth.
③ Add the remaining milk or hot water to make approximately 130mL in total, then stir well to finish.
🧊 Iced Gut Health Cocoa
Enjoy it cold① Add 20g of this product (2 level tablespoons) to a glass.
② Add approximately 20mL of hot water and mix thoroughly until the powder becomes smooth.
③ Add approximately 110mL of cold milk or water and mix well to finish.
🍫 Serving Suggestions
🥛 Rich Milk Cocoa
Smooth, mellow flavorMake it with warmed milk for a rich milk cocoa that blends cacao’s rich flavor with the creamy depth of milk. Enjoy its authentic flavor with just the right amount of sweetness.
🥣 Cocoa Yogurt
A breakfast ideaYou can also mix a small amount of Gut Health Cocoa into plain yogurt. Enjoy the cocoa flavor as part of your daily breakfast.
🥣 Cocoa Oatmeal
For a breakfast with dietary fiber in mindWarm oatmeal and milk, then add Gut Health Cocoa for a chocolate-flavored breakfast. You can also enjoy it topped with fruit such as banana, if you like.
🍌 Banana Cocoa
A fruity variationAdd Gut Health Cocoa to banana and milk, then blend for a cocoa drink with the natural sweetness of banana and the flavor of cacao.
※Even when preparing it in a different way, the recommended daily serving of Gut Health Cocoa itself is 20g. Adding milk or other ingredients changes the nutritional content and calories.
📊 Nutrition Information
Per 20g serving
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Energy | 67kcal |
| Protein | 1.8g |
| Fat | 1.8g |
| Carbohydrates | 15.0g |
| Sugars | 6.9g |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.1g |
| Salt Equivalent | 0.003g |
| Functional Ingredient: Inulin | 5.2g |
| Cacao Polyphenols | 340mg |
※These are the values per 20g serving confirmed for the new formulation. The previous formulation was labeled with values such as 69kcal and 7.7g of dietary fiber, so please check the label on the product being sold. Does not include nutrients from milk or other additions.
🧾 Ingredients and Components
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Cocoa powder (cocoa butter 22%–24%) (made in the Netherlands), dietary fiber (inulin), sugar |
| Functional Ingredient | Inulin (5.2g per recommended daily serving of 20g) |
| Cacao Polyphenols | 340mg per 20g cup |
※These are the ingredients confirmed for the new formulation. The order in which ingredients are listed differs from the previous formulation. Please check the product label before purchasing.
⚠️ Allergy Information
The ingredients confirmed are cocoa powder, dietary fiber (inulin), and sugar. For details on allergen labeling and manufacturing lines, please check the actual product packaging.
※If you prepare this product with milk, please also take care if you have a milk allergy.
📋 Product Specifications
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Van Houten Gut Health Cocoa |
| Product Type | Prepared cocoa |
| Distributor | Kataoka & Co., Ltd. |
| Brand | VAN HOUTEN (Van Houten) |
| Net Weight | 160g |
| Approximate Number of Cups | Approximately 8 cups (at 20g per cup) |
| Product Form | Powdered cocoa in a resealable bag |
| Food Category | Food with Function Claims |
| Functional Ingredient | Inulin 5.2g / 20g |
| Notification Number | K915 (information listed on the manufacturer’s official website) |
| Recommended Daily Serving | One 20g cup per day |
| Flavor | Mildly sweet, with a rich cacao aroma and deep flavor |
| Storage | Store away from direct sunlight, high temperatures, and humidity |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How is this different from regular Van Houten cocoa?
This product contains the water-soluble dietary fiber inulin. Inulin has been reported to support bowel movements and help maintain good digestive health by increasing bifidobacteria and balancing the gut flora. A key feature is that you can get dietary fiber along with the authentic flavor of cacao.
Q. What is inulin?
Inulin is a type of water-soluble dietary fiber also found in burdock root, onions, garlic, and other foods. It serves as food for beneficial gut bacteria, and has been reported to help balance the gut flora.
Q. How much dietary fiber does each cup contain?
According to the labeling for the new formulation, each 20g serving contains 8.1g of dietary fiber and 5.2g of the functional ingredient inulin. The previous formulation was labeled as containing 7.7g of dietary fiber, so please check the product itself.
Q. Is it okay to drink this every day?
The manufacturer recommends one 20g cup per day. It can be included in your daily diet, but excessive intake may cause loose stools, so please follow the recommended serving.
Q. Will drinking more improve my digestive health even more?
No. Consuming more does not mean you will get greater benefits. Excessive inulin intake may cause loose stools. Please limit your intake to one 20g cup per day.
Q. Does it contain lactic acid bacteria or bifidobacteria?
This product does not contain lactic acid bacteria or bifidobacteria themselves. The water-soluble dietary fiber inulin serves as food for beneficial gut bacteria, and its function in increasing bifidobacteria has been reported.
Q. Can I drink it with just hot water, without adding milk?
Yes. You can enjoy it with hot water alone. Made with milk, it becomes a rich, mellow milk cocoa; made with hot water, it has cacao’s bitter flavor.
Q. Is it sweet?
This is a prepared cocoa that contains sugar and is mildly sweet. It contains a generous amount of Van Houten Pure Cocoa, so you can enjoy cacao’s natural aroma and deep flavor. It is not an unsweetened product.
Q. Can I make iced cocoa with it?
Yes. Thoroughly mix 20g of cocoa with approximately 20mL of hot water, add approximately 110mL of cold milk or water, and mix well to make iced cocoa.
Q. How many calories are in one cup?
According to the labeling for the new formulation, 20g of cocoa powder contains 67kcal. Calories from milk and other ingredients are additional.
Q. Does it contain caffeine?
Yes. Cocoa contains caffeine from cacao. The specific caffeine content of this product has not been confirmed. If you are limiting your caffeine intake, please take care with how much you drink.
Q. Can I drink it while pregnant or breastfeeding?
This product is not a Food with Function Claims developed for pregnant or nursing women. If you wish to consume it, please consult a medical professional such as a doctor.
Q. Can children drink it?
This Food with Function Claims is primarily intended for healthy adults and was not developed for minors. If giving it to children, please take their Age, health, and dietary fiber intake into consideration.
Q. How many cups can I make from one bag?
The 160g bag makes approximately 8 cups when using 20g per cup. Enjoy one cup per day as a guide.
Q. How should I store it?
Store away from direct sunlight, high temperatures, and humidity. After opening, close the bag’s zipper securely to keep out moisture. Use a dry spoon to scoop out the powder, and consume promptly.
- The recommended daily serving is 20g (one cup). Please follow the recommended serving.
- This product is a Food with Function Claims and is not a medicine.
- Consuming large amounts will not cure disease or improve your health further.
- Excessive consumption, or individual constitution or health conditions, may cause loose stools.
- This product was not developed for people with a disease, minors, pregnant women (including those planning to become pregnant), or nursing women.
- If you have a disease, consult a doctor about consumption. If you are taking medication, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
- If you notice any changes in your health, stop consuming the product promptly and consult a doctor.
- This product contains sugar. Take care to avoid excessive intake of sugars and other such substances.
- When using boiling water, take care to avoid a burn.
- Unlike Foods for Specified Health Uses, Foods with Function Claims have not been evaluated by the government for their functionality or safety.
- Make a balanced diet a priority, based on staple foods, main dishes, and side dishes.
- Store away from direct sunlight, high temperatures, and humidity.
- After opening, close the bag’s zipper securely to keep moisture out.
- Always use a dry spoon to scoop out the powder.
- Store in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture and surrounding odors from affecting the product.
- After opening, consume promptly before the flavor deteriorates.
- Do not leave prepared cocoa at room temperature for a long time; consume it as soon as possible.
※This page was prepared based on information from the manufacturer’s official website and product labeling from retailers. The notification number, nutritional content, and ingredients for this Food with Function Claims differ between the previous and new formulations, so please check the label on the product being sold. Effects may vary between individuals.
