Review PROBIOS - Biscotti all'avena e nocciole 250 g

Ingredients

Let us examine the most significant ingredients in order of quantity as indicated on the label. I provide a brief summary for reasons of space. For the full text, studies and bibliography, just click on the ingredient and, if you want to go deeper, it is perhaps a little complex reading because these are scientific studies, but it clarifies the ingredient/health relationship.

Zucchero di canna Although it is derived from sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum), it is still a refined sugar and it is the first time I have ever read a sugar at the top of the label (i.e. with the highest amount) in a baked product. The content is higher or equal to the second ingredient, wholemeal oat flour, which is present with 27%.

Farina integrale di avena.  It is an unrefined oatmeal so it retains at least some of the plant's nutritional properties.

Farina integrale di riso. This is also an unrefined flour.

Olio di semi di girasole. Sunflower oil is characterised by a high content of niacin, vitamin B6 and folate, as well as a high content of linoleic acid, all components with antioxidant activity. It has a moderate sodium content and is the best oil after olive oil. In particular, the high oleic is a version with lower levels (8.5 per cent) of saturated fats and vitamins E, F.

Uova. Recent studies have also shown that the egg, due to its vitamin D content, helps protect the eyes from cataracts and other age-related degenerative diseases. On the other hand, egg has a high cholesterol content and a potential role in cardio-metabolic outcomes.

Nocciole. The hazelnut is very nutritious with its 630 calories per 100 grams, is rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals and vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant.

Fiocchi di avena. Oats contain a good amount of potassium and vitamin B and is one of the cereals with a particularly low glycaemic index.

Olio di karitè. Shea oil is a good oil, mainly consisting of fatty acids.

Sale. The less of it the better. It is advisable to reduce salt consumption as it may cause damage to the cardiovascular system and increase the values of harmful LDL-cholesterol and cause hypertension, obesity and other serious diseases.

Agenti lievitanti (tartrati di potassio, carbonati di sodio, carbonati di ammonio). They are present in minute quantities and have no particular contraindications as classic leavening agents.

Aroma naturale di vaniglia. These are not the original Bourbon vanilla pods, but for reasons of cost one has to make do. The diction 'Natural flavouring of...' means that it is a synthetic product, hence chemical, but at least it contains a natural extract of the ingredient it refers to.

Aroma naturale di nocciola. See above regarding diction.

Nutritional table

Calories are high, 460 kcal puts these biscuits at the top of the list in terms of energy value.

The sugars are high and, as I said before, even if it is brown sugar, 24 grams of sugar per 100 grams of product is a lot.

The salt is more or less average, but not in the least amount.

Conclusions

These biscuits are on the one hand gluten-free and on the other hand too much sugar. One should only have a couple every now and then, but that is an almost impossible decision, they are so good (sugar) and tasty (flavours)....

Most of the ingredients are classified as organic and I also noticed that some ingredients are from Non-EU farming.