Chocamine

Chocamine is a cocoa extract found as an ingredient in many consumer health products, such as NightFood,^[1] ChocoMind,^[2] ChocoEnergy,^[3] LifeMap,^[4] Chocoslim,^[5] ChocoLift,^[6] and ErgoLean AMP.^[7] In these consumer products, Chocamine is included to provide the taste, smell and health benefits of chocolate, without the sugar, fat, and dairy^[8] found in many confectionary products. Cocoa solids contain alkaloids such as theobromine and phenethylamine, which have physiological effects on the body. It has been linked to serotonin levels in the brain. Some research found that chocolate, eaten in moderation, can lower blood pressure.^[9] Chocamine contains methylxanthine alkaloids (with a high concentration of theobromine in it that is a bitter alkaloid of the cocoa plant), adrenergic amines, amino acids and some other important dietary minerals.^[10] Chocamine has been used as a derivative of chocolate and has a potential usage in various capacities.

History

Chocolate is reported to be the number one craved food in North America.^[11] Recently a lot of research has been conducted to excavate the numerous health imparting properties of chocolate. Researchers have found that chocolate is composed of certain components that cause brain to release endorphins. Endorphins are the chemicals that activate our mood and make us feel good. Also there are several compounds present that improve our cognitive function, sustain energy levels, maintain appetite and suppress cravings. Hence most of the benefits of the chocolate are put down to its high antioxidant content. Therefore giving its high health imparting properties and a high degree of consumer appeal, it is regarded as an area of keen interest by the health food industry and companies are in turn driving towards the market of chocolate-based bioactives, chocamine being one of them, that have proven health benefits.^[12] US- based RFI, a company that cites research into the pharmacologically active compounds found in chocolates, was granted a US patent in the year 2006 (US patent # 7,048,941) for Chocamine for its appetite control and energy building capacities. RFI acquired Chocamine in 2002, when it merged with nutritional blends company Nat-Trop.

Composition

Chocamine is basically a cocoa extract which contains a number of chemical ingredients. Several basic components include:

• Methylxanthine alkaloids like theobromine, theophylline and caffeine (with a high concentration of theobromine in relationship to theophylline and caffeine).
• Others include biogenic amines like phenethylamine, tyramine, and according to one source, synephrine.
• Several forms of important amino acids like phenylalanine, tryptophan, and tyrosine
• Dietary minerals with a high content of magnesium
• Numerous beneficial antioxidants
• Some non-psychoactive cannabinoid-related compounds

Therapeutic uses

Chocamine is standardized for several ingredients (like methylxanhine alkoids, adrenergic amines, minerals and amino acids), that are not only thermogenic but also promote lipolysis and the building of lean muscles mass, and improve physical performance and energy.^{[dubious – discuss]} Chocamine specifically contains methylxanthine alkoids, with a high concentration of theobromine. Theobromine is an alkaloid from the cocoa plant that is known for its stimulating effects. This group of methylxanthine alkoids also includes caffeine, paraxanthine, theophylline that also has significant stimulating properties. Adrenergic amines improve mental activity as adrenergic amines are amines that are basically related to nerve cells where adrenalin (epinephrine) acts as a neurotransmitter.^{[citation needed]}

Clinical study

RFI recently completed a clinical trial to study the effect of Chocamine on brain cortical integration of visual stimuli in volunteers.^[13] This Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) chocolate-based ingredient contains compounds associated with the many health benefits of chocolate.

For this study, 30 subjects received 1000 mg of Chocamine, 1000 mg of Chocamine Plus (with caffeine) or placebo, and then performed the Audio-Visual Multi-Processing Test (AVMT). This clinically approved test is a standard test in neuropsychology and is currently used in 150 clinical settings including the National Academy of Neuropsychology. The AVMT consists of a series of objective tasks, where attention span, working memory, reaction time, non-verbal problem solving and other aspects of mental functioning were assessed using a prominent neurocognitive research tool called the IMPACT Cognitive Assessment Test.^{[citation needed]}

Researchers reported positive trends in a variety of cognitive functions among participants who took Chocamine products, including a 49% improvement on tests evaluating short-term memory and visual-motor response speed for the Chocamine Plus group and a 39% increase in the Chocamine group.^{[citation needed]}

Use

Chocamine has been available for use in supplements, from beverages, bars, gums, drink mixes, and confections to dietary supplements and powdered drinks. The recommended usage rate is 500 mg per serving by the company. The primary market for Chocamine may include:

• Mood products
• Diet and weight loss products
• Cognitive Products
• Internal and external beauty care and anti-aging products
• Energy and nutrition products
• Cravings and satiation products.

There is no research specifically on Chocamine's on weight loss, but there is a wealth of research supporting the active ingredients found in Chocamine. ^[14]

Because it is clinically proven to improve focus and concentration ^[15], some experts are advising its use by menopausal women who are memory loss and mental confusion, along with difficulty focusing and concentrating.

Varieties

There are two varieties of this product: Chocamine and Chocamine Plus. The key difference is that Chocamine Plus has caffeine 40mg per 500 mg serving. This is approximately the same amount as a 12 ounce can of soda),^[15] while "regular" Chocamine is basically "de-caffeinated".

Side effects

Chocamine Plus contains moderate levels of caffeine, which may lead to water being drawn off the body, as caffeine is a stimulant and diuretic. Also, many experts^{[citation needed]} believe that caffeine should be avoided when individuals are dieting and exercising to lose weight. Caffeine is also known to interfere with sleep, especially when ingested during the afternoon or evening hours.

References

1. ^ NightFood, retrieved January 25, 2011 from http://www.nightfood.com
2. ^ ChocoMind, retrieved January 25, 2011 from http://www.jarrow.com/product.php?prodid=453
3. ^ ChocoEnergy retrieved January 25, 2011 from http://www.nowfoods.com/Products/078309.htm
4. ^ LifeMap Alert Chews retrieved January 25, 2011 from http://www.mygenewize.com/product/life_style_boosts.html
5. ^ Chocoslim retrieved January 25, 2011 from http://www.sotru.com/products/sotru-chocoslim/
6. ^ ChocoLift retrieved January 25, 2011 from http://www.sourcenaturals.com/products/GP2024/
7. ^ ErgoLean AMP retrieved January 25, 2011 from http://www.bigboyfitness.com/erg-ergolean-amp-90c-amp-v2.html
8. ^ Chocamine, Nattrop Product reviews, Retrieved 2010-10-16 from http://www.clear1.com/ProductsPDF/Chocamine(tm)IntroSheet.pdf
9. ^ http://abcnews.go.com/Health/HeartDiseaseNews/chocolate-boasts-blood-pressure-benefits/story?id=10243200
10. ^ Chocamine, Sybervision reviews, reterived December 9, 2010 from http://www.clear2.com/reviews/Chocamine.php
11. ^ Chocamine Review, DietSpotlight.com review, retrieved December 9, 2010 from http://www.dietspotlight.com/chocamine-review/
12. ^ Sean Moloughney, (2010). Entrepreneur.com . Retrieved 2010-10-16 from http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/227974040_2.html
13. ^ Chocamine, The health benefits of chocolate without the sugar, fat and dairy, retrieved December 9, 2010 from http://www.rfiingredients.com/chocamine.asp
14. ^ http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0KFY/is_7_23/ai_n15346546/
15. ^ ^{a b} http://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/contents/view/24202

External links

• US PTO patent for "Chocolate composition as delivery system for nutrients and medications"