It started with a dream – how CEO Vica Dias’ Chocolife came about
CEO Virgínia (Vica) Dias decided at 14 years old that she would one day begin a small artisanal chocolate business. At age 17, ever so precocious, Vica realised that there was a need for healthier chocolate that consumers could feel comfortable eating without putting their health at risk. After studying Food Engineering and working in the chocolate industry to learn the craft, she launched Chocolife in 2006 – Brazil’s first health chocolate company.
Since 2006, Chocolife has brought many innovations to the Brazilian market – including five newly certified FODMAP Friendly products. Her goal is to create products that Brazilian people with IBS can consume without experiencing discomfort.
How many people in Brazil have IBS?
In 2012, Lovell and Ford 1 performed a meta-analysis that associated the geographic region of South America (studies from Peru, Colombia and Brazil) with the highest prevalence of IBS in the world at 21%. However, this finding was based off limited studies, with some studies only using small populations which many not represent the demographic of the whole countries studied. New and improved research on IBS is still emerging around the world, as we continue to discover better ways to both diagnose and report IBS prevalence.
What’s the deal with chocolate on a low FODMAP diet?
When it comes to chocolate, the primary FODMAP of concern is lactose, a disaccharide. Unfortunately, one standard five-piece serving of milk or white chocolate contains moderate lactose levels that could trigger IBS symptoms, especially if you’ve consumed other moderate or high FODMAP foods in the same day.
What about ‘sugar free’ chocolate?
Sugar free chocolate is often sweetened with high FODMAP sweeteners such as polyols, honey, agave syrup or inulin.
However – we have good news! One serving of dark chocolate is low FODMAP, which makes Chocolife chocolate FODMAP Friendly. Chocolife have a wide variety of specialty chocolate flavoured and sweetened with only low FODMAP ingredients which are safe for those following the low FODMAP diet.
Introducing FODMAP Friendly Certified Chocolife Superfood Chocolates
Why eat regular chocolate when you can eat Superfood Chocolate? With a 67% cocoa base, this chocolate is FODMAP Friendly. Chocolife combine this high-quality Amazonian cocoa with babassu mesocarp flour to produce a tasty line of chocolates. Babassu is a small coconut used to produce oil and flour. The flour is produced from the mesocarp (middle layer) of the coconut. This combination makes the chocolates high in antioxidants.
The five flavours include:
Pure Cocoa – 67% cocoa and babassu mesocarp flour – perfect for the health-conscious dark chocolate lover.
Brazil Nuts and Açai – the base chocolate with added Brazil nuts and Açai. The Brazil nuts bring crunchiness and the mineral, selenium, while Açai, the world-famous Brazilian berry, is a powerful antioxidant. Together, this flavour combination is a dynamic duo in the chocolate world.
Baru Nuts and Camu Camu – the base chocolate with baru nuts and camu camu. Baru nuts are a crisp Brazilian sawn nut, high in protein and healthy fats. Camu camu berries have a high concentration of Vitamin C.
Coconut Chips and Cupuaçu – the base chocolate with added coconut chips and cupuaçu. Coconut brings out the natural flavour in chocolate, while providing nutrients in the form of medium chain fatty acids. Cupuaçu is a fruit related to cacao. It is high in Vitamin C, minerals, fibre and antioxidants.
Banana and Coconut Charcoal – the base chocolate with banana raisin and coconut charcoal. The banana adds fibre and tryptophan to the mix, while charcoal complements the banana to bring about an unforgettable flavour.
Where can I purchase these products?
Chocolife products can be purchased in several health food stores and supermarkets across Brazil and on their website, www.chocolife.com.br. Currently, these products are only available in Brazil, but an export project is in the works and Chocolife will soon be available in other countries.
Where can I find out more information?
For more information, visit the Chocolife website, YouTube channel, Instagram or Facebook pages.
- Lovell RM, Ford AC. Global Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Meta-analysis. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 10(7): 712-21
