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Xocai Review

By CANDICE GREY ConsumersCompare.org Update: Jul 24, 2024

Meal Replacements, Reviews

7 Out of 10

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Xocai Review

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Xocai Shake Overview

What if someone told you that you could become healthier by drinking chocolate meal replacement shakes?  Would it get your attention? Xocai markets a dark chocolate shake as a meal replacement, with only 190 calories per serving. They also offer a variety of “healthy chocolates” which aim to boost antioxidant levels, increase sex drive, boost omega-3 levels, and give you energy. I will touch briefly on those products below, but the main focus of this review will be the shakes themselves.

Xocai doesn’t cite a lot of science about their shake mix.

Purchased on the company site, a 14-day supply of Xocai Shake Mix (28 servings) costs $93.95 USD, or you can enroll in an autoship program and get “preferred pricing” of $74.00. This also supposedly earns you free product, but that’s the direct sales facet of this company, and I’m just doing a product review. In any case, this isn’t cheap. [1] There’s also an “Activ” version of the shake mix, with their Propietary High-Antioxidant Blend, at 30 calories per serving. A 96-serving bag of this mix, which appears to be more supplement than meal replacement, sells for $167.95 ($128.00 with autoship enrollment). [2]

“With Xocai®, you will be eating at least 50,000 ORAC or more every day for the next 30 days (and you will want to continue longer).”

MXI Corp DBA Xocai was started in 2005 by Jeanette, Martin, and Andrew Brooks. In May 2017, the company was acquired by Well Beyond, LLC, founded and run by Jeremy Reynolds. MXI Corp is listed with the Better Business Bureau and currently has an A-plus rating, no reviews, and only one customer complaint, but is not accredited. Well Beyond, LLC, does not have a BBB profile. [3] [4]  Company Contact: Suite 220, 9855 Double R Blvd, Reno, Nevada, United States 89523. Phone: 775-971-9903. [5] But the Xocai website itself claims it was Jeremy Reynolds who founded “The Healthy Chocolate Company” in 2005, from his home in North Salt Lake, Utah. The Brooks siblings aren’t mentioned at all, nor is Well Beyond LLC. [6] So it’s a bit confusing. The shake mix is also available in bundle sets with Xocai’s other products, like their energy drinks or “healthy chocolates.” Just to briefly touch on those:

• Antioxidant Blueberry-Acai nuggets
• X-Power Squares, a souped-up Blueberry Acai version
• L-arginine and Maca “Love Bites” for sexual enhancement
• Omega-3 Squares with Orange and Flax Seed
• XoBiotic Squares, Blueberry Acai plus probiotics
• Peanut Butter Cups, providing fiber, whey protein, and antioxidants

A 100-pack of any of these ranges from $167.95 to $172.95 without the autoship enrollment. [7]

Xocai Shake Claims

Xocai Shake Mix makes a point to mention information about their ORAC6 score—the amount of antioxidants per serving—and how well they did overall. This score simply tests the amount of flavonoids the body is getting from the product.

With Xocai®, you will be eating at least 50,000 ORAC or more every day for the next 30 days (and you will want to continue longer). Remember, the ORAC measures how well components of food mop up the free radicals in the bloodstream. Eating 50,000 or more will significantly boost the antioxidant potency of your blood. This is one of those rare areas of nutrition where more truly is better. [8]

“Dark chocolate is naturally free of sugar and bitter-tasting, so most producers, including Xocai, add sugar.”

The Amazon.com sales page, where Xocai Shake Mix retails for $75.00 (without having to sign up for an autoship to get that price), doesn’t really offer a lot more in terms of hype.

An amazing Total ORACfn score of over 50,000 per serving. High antioxidant meal replacement for weight loss, weight management and athletic performance. [9]

Xocai Shake Ingredients

Whey Protein Isolate with soy lecithin, Fiber Blend (soluble cocoa fiber), maltodextrin, apple fiber, High Antioxidant Blend (Cocoa, Acai, and Blueberry Powders), Crystalline Xylitol, Natural Flavors, Microencapsulated Chia Oil, High Oleic Sunflower Oil, Cocoa extracts, Xanthan Powder, IP Balsamic Vinegar, Natural IP Lecithin, Salt, Luo Han Fruit Concentrate, Multiple Berry Anthocyanin Extract, Wild blueberry powder, and wild strawberry powder, cranberry powder, wild bilberry extract, elderberry extract, and raspberry powder. Sucralose powder, Vitamin and mineral premix 50% daily value of calcium, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, zinc, chromium, vitamin C, biotin, folate, niacin, vitamin A, Thiamin, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Copper. [10] The Science (or Lack Thereof) Behind Xocai Shakes Xocai doesn’t cite a lot of science about their shake mix. We know whey protein mixes are a dime a dozen in terms of availability (though certainly not in terms of price), and blueberry-acai has been touted for its antioxidant properties—though whether the science lives up to the hype remains to be seen. There are however multiple studies about how dark chocolate contains antioxidants and is a healthier chocolate to consume as long as it is above 80% cacao.

most producers, including Xocai, add sugar.

There are proven studies done about the positive effects of dark chocolate when it comes to heart and cardiovascular health, and one in particular was published in the journal for the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). In this study, they found that dark chocolate, when consumed by overweight men over a period of four weeks, did improve cardiovascular function. They concluded,

This study provides new insights on how chocolate affects endothelial health by demonstrating that chocolate consumption, besides improving vascular function, also lowers the adherence capacity of leukocytes in the circulation. [11]

But even chocolate consumption should have its limits. According to an article at LiveStrong.com,

“…Healthy chocolate sounds like a dream come true, but chocolate hasn’t gained the status of health food quite yet.”

Dark chocolate is naturally free of sugar and bitter-tasting, so most producers, including Xocai, add sugar. It’s important to track the amount ofadded sugar you eat because excess sugar in your blood is converted to fat and can boost levels of triglycerides. It also contributes to weight gain and heart disease. [12] (emphasis added)

The Mayo Clinic concurs on both counts:

Healthy chocolate sounds like a dream come true, but chocolate hasn’t gained the status of health food quite yet. Still, chocolate’s reputation is on the rise, as a growing number of studies suggest that it can be a heart-healthy choice.

Chocolate and its main ingredient, cocoa, appear to reduce risk factors for heart disease. Flavanols in cocoa beans have antioxidant effects that reduce cell damage implicated in heart disease. Flavanols — which are more prevalent in dark chocolate than in milk chocolate — also help lower blood pressure and improve vascular function.

In addition, some research has linked chocolate consumption to reduced risks of diabetes, stroke and heart attack. One caveat: More research is needed to confirm these results.

In the meantime, if you want to add chocolate to your diet, do so in moderation. Why? Most commercial chocolate has ingredients that add fat, sugar and calories. And too much can contribute to weight gain, a risk factor for high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. On the other hand, cocoa itself, unlike chocolate, is low in sugar and fat while offering potential health benefits. If you enjoy chocolate flavor, add plain cocoa to your low-fat milk or morning oats. [13]

Word on the Street About Xocai Shakes

The shakes received tremendously positive feedback overall, with not many people upset with the taste and quality. Thirteen customer reviews rated it 4.1 out of 5 stars, with 62 percent giving it 5 stars and none in the cellar at 1 star.. Surprisingly, people were willing to pay the arm and a leg for the shakes. The Xocai reviews seemed authentic, and there were no nasty side effects noted from anyone. The main complaint was regarding the price of the mix.

Might be cheaper to drink gold flakes.

“kturner” (2013, 4 stars) said,

Xocai has my heart. I love the Xocai Shake.. i mix it up with blueberries, ice, a little cream or almond milk and voila! A great meal replacement. I actually can tell a difference when I take it and when I don’t. So much more energy and “regularity” if you know what I mean :). I think it only tastes great when you blend it with ice and some extra fruit. DO NOT JUST MIX IN WATER and expect it to taste good… BLEH! …But Blended is a whole different story. I feel that it is a good investment at around $5.50 per shake if you are looking for something that will give you AWESOME antioxidants, fiber and protein. It would be nice if it was a little more affordable but, I chalk it up to an investment in my health. [14]

“grfl” (2014, 5 stars) also praised it, but brought up the price.

I enjoy Xocai products, but they are waaaaay over priced and I have stopped using them. This shake was great. Fills you up. Gives you energy. Gets the weight off. Empties your pocket book very quickly, however. [15]

And I had to include this one just for the user name: “Flufflebuns” (2011, 4 stars) said,

Might be cheaper to drink gold flakes. Having said that as my title, it is quite delicious, and gets the job done. I would never spend that much on protein powder, so stupid, but I got it for free from my mom, so who can complain? [16]

The Bottom Line: Are Xocai Shakes Worth A Try?

Depends. In a word, meh. I don’t see a lot of uniqueness to this shake mix, not for the price they charge. You’re likely better off adding some unsweetened dark cocoa (un-Dutched if you can find it) and a standard whey powder to your banana-sweetened morning smoothie. That said, if you’ve got money to burn and want to try it, I’d go the Amazon route and avoid the autoshipping.