LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles startup has debuted a pair of premium desserts promoting digestive health benefits.

Preme Foods manufactures and distributes chocolate mousse and vanilla pudding formulated with oats, maple syrup, eggs, ghee, collagen and a proprietary blend of prebiotics. Founder Xeba Zareie, previously a television and film development coordinator, launched the business last year following her prolonged battle with a debilitating gastrointestinal disease that disrupted her entertainment career.

“I had my dream job, and I was miserable,” she said.

She began developing the offerings two years ago, partnering with her functional medicine doctor to create the recipes, which she described as a “modern, gut-functional play on chocolate pudding.”

“I worked with her to choose the right prebiotic blend,” Ms. Zareie said, noting some sources of prebiotic fiber such as legumes or chicory root are “really hard on the digestive system.”    

Her doctor also recommended the addition of collagen “because the amino acids in the collagen help rebuild the lining of the intestinal walls,” Ms. Zareie said.

Additionally, she said, a serving is low in fermentable short-chain carbohydrates that may trigger discomfort and bloating in those with sensitivities. She said maple syrup is used because it may help reduce inflammation, unlike other popular sweeteners that may produce the opposite effect.

The perishable products are packaged in glass jars and sold in several specialty shops in Los Angeles. The concept was inspired in part by Greek yogurt, as an everyday functional snack that may be prepared with various toppings, Ms. Zareie said.

Xeba Zareie, founder of Preme Foods. Photo: Preme Foods

“We are bringing luxury wellness to snack aisles,” she said. “While people do think of Preme as a dessert, I think it defies that category. I think it could be found in the yogurt aisle, at the coffee shop or at the gym.”

Nearly three-quarters of Americans surveyed by the International Food Information Council last year ranked digestive health as an important aspect of overall wellness. However, Ms. Zareie pointed out, “most people don’t know the difference between prebiotics and probiotics.”

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit, according to the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics. Prebiotics, which include fiber ingredients, serve as food for beneficial microbes or probiotics in the body.

Twenty-two percent of survey respondents said they were familiar with prebiotics and actively try to consume them, but the findings indicated many of these consumers seek prebiotics from foods that don’t typically contain them, such as yogurt and kefir.

Low consumer awareness is one reason Ms. Zareie is planning a slow rollout of the brand, initially limiting its presence to local health and wellness events and boutique grocers.

“We’re moving at the pace of consumers with Preme so that it doesn’t hit shelves and people don’t know what it is,” Ms. Zareie said. “I really want Preme to reach most consumers because most consumers need these prebiotics. People who claim they have no gut issues eat Preme and say they’ve had the best bowel movement of their life afterwards."

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