Search KOMU Archives
 
 
Search KOMU Archives
blank botright
<
Chocolate That's Good for You
blank
KOMU Story Toolbox
blank
blank
blank
blank
blank
blank
blank
blank
blank

A new chocolate could include the same nutritional benefits of your least favorite greens.

"The reason that it's healthy chocolate is because it's made with unprocessed dark cacao," Kerry Dean of MXI--the company that makes the chocolate--said.

It's called Xocai -- dark chocolate that has been sweetened with acai and blueberry juices.

"One of our nuggets is equal to half a pound of spinach in antioxidant value or three cups of blueberries or four pounds of tomatoes," Dean said.

What's so alluring about this chocolate are the antioxidants and their possible role in weight loss.

"It reduces your cravings for carbohydrates -- bread, pasta when you go out for dinner -- so I've lost about 7 or 8 pounds being on this product," Xocai distributor Debbie Fields said.

And the health benefits of the chocolate are just part of the story, the rest of the story is how it's sold. Xocai is sold not in stores but through network marketing at parties. But nutritionist Lisa Cohn cautions against buying into the idea of a miracle food, saying chocolate should not be a substitute for fruits and vegetables.

"It's probably a bigger claim than what we're delivering. To me, fresh foods, products that are made with fresh ingredients that taste delicious, can also impart great nutritional science," Cohn said.

Still, fans of Xocai say it's the best way to deliver those nutrients, and it doesn't hurt to make money in the process.

Reported by NBC's Pei-Sze Cheng

Doctors Warn Against Smoking to Lose Weight

Some people can be frightened to quit smoking because of fears of weight gain.

Studies show people who quit smoking are likely to gain a taste for sweet and salty foods to replace the addiction. Four to ten pounds is the average weight gain.

Doctors say the gain is not worth the risks of continuing to smoke and advise when quitting to eating healthy and exercise to keep the weight off.

FDA Adds Warnings to Anti-Smoking Drugs

But the quest to stop smoking might get harder for some. Two popular anti-smoking drugs will now carry a boxed warning.

FDA officials say a new warning will be added to Chantix and Zyban, highlighting the increased risk for changes in behavior, depressed mood, hostility and suicidal thoughts.

The FDA says it has received reports of 98 suicides and 188 attempts linked to Chantix. There have been 14 suicides and 17 attempts linked to Zyban.

Edited by: Jill Glavan

blank
KOMU VIDEO ON DEMAND
Download this Story Video
<
blank