Ready-to-eat Xocai chocolate comes in omega-3 enriched squares, regular nuggets, chocolate with probiotics and peanut butter cups. The company claims that its chocolate is healthy because it is enriched with antioxidants, but you can make an informed decision for yourself by looking at the product labels. Eat dark chocolate in moderation as part of a balanced diet for the most health benefits.
Effects on Cholesterol
Xocai chocolate may be unhealthy because each serving provides up to 9 g saturated fat, which raises levels of the "bad" LDL cholesterol and may increase your risk for heart disease. No more than 7 percent of your total calories should come from saturated fat, which means a limit of 15 to 22 g per day on a 2,000-calorie diet, according to MayoClinic.com. However, Xocai chocolate may not be too bad for your cholesterol because most of the saturated fat in chocolate comes from stearic acid that is less unhealthy than the saturated fatty acids in palm oil and coconut oil, according to the University of Michigan.
Antioxidants
A potential benefit of Xocai chocolate is that it is enriched with antioxidants that suppress the damaging effect of compounds called free radicals in your body. Dark chocolate is a natural source of antioxidants, and Xocai chocolate has extra antioxidants from blueberry and acai berry powder. A diet high in antioxidants, especially the flavonoids in chocolate and berries may lower your blood pressure and risk for stroke, but many other factors affect your risk.
Weight Control
Xocai chocolate is calorie-dense, and this makes it less healthy if you are trying to lose weight or prevent weight gain. Each variety of Xocai chocolate provides about 150 to 160 calories per ounce. Too many high-calorie foods may lead to weight gain and increase your risk for heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. Candy is among the top sources of calories in the typical American diet, according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Essential Nutrients
Each serving of Xocai chocolate provides about 10 percent of the daily value for iron, an essential nutrient for healthy red blood cells. Chocolate is a natural source of magnesium that you need for strong bones, proper muscle function and a normal blood pressure. It is low in sodium, and each serving has up to 4 g dietary fiber, which lowers cholesterol. Too much Xocai chocolate may be unhealthy for your bones because dark chocolate is a natural source of oxalate, a type of molecule that blocks your body's ability to absorb calcium from food.
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