Xocai (Blake Burnett , University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy

Xocia Chocolate

Blake Burnett- Student Pharmacist, Spring 2022

Background Xocia chocolate is made from unprocessed all natural cacao. It’s Scientific name is Theobroma cacao. It is typically known by the brand name of Xocia. The Aztec’s came up with a way to ferment the cocoa bean in order to get rid of the bitter taste, but xocai chocolate skips that step and is a product that has recently hit the market and is said to have a lot of antioxidant benefits. This idea of unprocessed chocolate was originally designed in Europe. It is said to be better than normal chocolate due to being all natural and not having any sugar or other products added to it. It is also thought to be diabetic and vegan/vegetarian friendly. It is also said that you can purchase this product with omega-3 fatty acids. This comes from being mixed with flax seeds and acai berries.

Benefits and dosage forms It is said to be a great tasting alternative to the chocolate products we are used to consuming. It is said to be high in antioxidants. It has also been shown to have various cardiovascular benefits. These benefits come from its ability to create nitric oxide therefore causing vasodilation effects. These antioxidants are said to support your body’s natural defense system by fighting the effects that free radicals can have on your body. Another formulation comes with Omega-3 fatty acids which can help lower lipids and decrease cholesterol. One formulation comes with probiotics to aid in digestion and overall immune health. Another formulation comes in an on the go form which comes in a powder form that can be mixed in a beverage of your choice and provides antioxidants and in some products an energy boost. The last formulation is specifically created to help with weight loss. It is called Xocai high antioxidant meal replacement. It is designed to help you lose weight and provide a lot of antioxidants. The weight loss aspect is covered by the zero sugar content and the idea adding in exercise.

Mechanism of action There are many possible mechanisms for how this supplement works, but its main effects are in the antioxidant effects and ability to lower risk of diabetes. Dosing The typical dosing for xocai chocolate is typically one to two times daily with meals or for meal replacement. Effectiveness/safety Xocai Chocolate has been shown to have effects in insulin resistance and the free radicals, but is still lacking in effects on blood pressure and platelet aggregation. Overall, it has been found to be safe for people without a restricted caloric intake. Interactions and Toxicities The main interactions to look for with xocia chocolate are with drugs such as sleep aids, such as Ambien, and stimulants, such as Adderall, due to the fact it contains some caffeine, but overall it is safe for most patients. Some toxicities associated with Xocia chocolate are high blood pressure and anxiety due to it containing caffeine. Another possible problem with its consumption is an allergic reaction to its contents. If you are allergic to any kind of nuts or chocolate it is recommended not to take this product. Professional Opinion In my professional opinion, this product is fairly safe for most patients. The only patients who I would not recommend using this product as of now are patients with hypertension, patients taking sleep aids, patients taking stimulants, and patients who are allergic to chocolate or any type of nuts. The main reason I would not recommend xocia chocolate to these patients is because it contains caffeine and can raise blood pressure, decrease efficacy of sleep aids, and sleeplessness with stimulants. ~ B. Burnett

Works Cited

Xocai the healthy chocolate. the Healthy Chocolate. https://www.thechocolatecenter.com/xocai.html. Accessed March 3, 2022. Theobromine. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theobromine. Published March 1, 2022. Accessed March 3, 2022. Xocai, a healthy chocolate? is there health in every bite? Saksynt. https://tjomlid.com/2012/07/05/xocai-a-healthy-chocolate-isthere-health-in-every-bite/. Published July 5, 2012. Accessed March 3, 2022. Katz DL, Doughty K, Ali A. Cocoa and chocolate in human health and disease. Antioxidants & redox signaling. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4696435/. Published November 15, 2011. Accessed March 3, 2022. Dark chocolate drug interactions...can chocolate counteract your medications? Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate. http:// www.health-benefits-of-dark-chocolate.com/drug-interactions.html. Accessed March 3, 2022. McCoy W. Bad effects of chocolate. Our Everyday Life. https://oureverydaylife.com/bad-effects-of-chocolate-12189543.html. Published January 10, 2019. Accessed March 3, 2022. Kerimi A, Williamson G. The cardiovascular benefits of dark chocolate. Vascul Pharmacol. 2015 Aug;71:11-5. doi: 10.1016/ j.vph.2015.05.011. Epub 2015 May 27. PMID: 26026398. Magrone T, Russo MA, Jirillo E. Cocoa and Dark Chocolate Polyphenols: From Biology to Clinical Applications. Front Immunol. 2017 Jun 9;8:677. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00677. PMID: 28649251; PMCID: PMC5465250.