Xocai is a company that claims its chocolate-flavored products have health benefits. The company makes chocolate-flavored beverages, including the Activ supplement, protein shake and an energy drink, as well as solid, ready-to-eat chocolate, including nuggets, omega-3 squares, peanut butter cups, X powder squares and its xobiotic chocolate. While Xocai chocolate may have some benefits, it should only be a small part of an overall balanced diet.
High ORAC
All Xocai chocolate products have a high oxidative radical antioxidant capacity, or ORAC. Oxidation by free radicals in your body can increase your risk for diseases such as heart disease, and high-ORAC foods may be healthy because they suppress oxidation. Dark chocolate, such as the cocoa in Xocai chocolate, contains a category of flavonoids called flavanols, which are natural antioxidants, according to the Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center. Berries are sources of flavanols as well as other groups of flavonoids, including flavanols and anthocyanidins, and Xocai chocolate products contain acai berry and blueberry blends.
Source of Omega-3 Fats
Each serving of Xocai Omega Squares provides at least 200 mg long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, and eating an average of 250 mg per day may lower your risk for heart disease, according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. However, only Xocai Omega Squares provide omega-3 fatty acids, and all varieties of Xocai chocolate are high in saturated fat. Saturated fat raises levels of LDL cholesterol in your blood, and dark chocolate is naturally high in saturated fat.
Essential Nutrients
Magnesium is an essential nutrient for healthy blood pressure and proper muscle function, and Xocai chocolate has 10 to 15 percent of the daily value for magnesium per serving. All varieties of Xocai chocolate, except for the peanut butter flavor, have 10 to 12 percent of the daily value for iron, but the iron in chocolate and other vegetarian products is in the nonheme form, which is more difficult for your body to absorb than iron from animal-derived sources. A serving of Xocai Omega Squares has 35 percent of the daily value for vitamin C.
Other Information
Xocai chocolate provides up to 4 g dietary fiber per serving, and fiber is a cholesterol-lowering nutrient. Xobiotic chocolate contains probiotics, which are healthy bacteria that can live in your gastrointestinal tract and reduce your risk for diarrhea and infections, such as those in yogurt. Xocai chocolate is all-natural, and it contains no artificial colors or flavors. It does contain added sugars, which add calories but no beneficial nutrients from ingredients such as sugar, raw cane juice blend or glucose syrup solids.
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