A food scientist in Guelph is taking a new approach to menstrual pain management — a dark chocolate bar fortified with nutrients that may play a role in easing cramps. Jessica Ulbikas, founder and CEO of BioSnactive Foods, was inspired by her own experience. “I had bad menstrual pain for most of my life,” she said. “And I personally love dark chocolate.” The idea came together during the final year of her master’s degree in nutritional science, when she began exploring how certain nutrients support the body. “I thought it was natural to combine it,” she said. Ulbikas spent three years developing Code Red, which launched two years ago. The recommended serving is two squares per day during menstruation. Those two squares contain 150 milligrams of magnesium, along with calcium and vitamin D. The dark chocolate also contains naturally occurring compounds called flavanols, which have already been studied for their potential health benefits. Ulbikas said she chose the ingredients based on existing research, while also working to ensure the chocolate had the right taste and texture. “It’s not meant to cure anything, not meant to replace and completely eliminate everything, but it should take things down a notch. Everyone’s experience is different.” What does the research say? Alana Haggerty, a registered dietitian with JM Nutrition, said there is some promising research on the individual nutrients in Code Red, but questions remain on whether the finished product can effectively reduce menstrual pain. Haggerty pointed to a 2024 systematic review that found vitamin D supplementation may help improve menstrual pain in people with low vitamin D levels. She said preliminary research has also examined the effects of magnesium and calcium. Those nutrients play important roles in muscle function and regulation, while dark chocolate’s flavanols have been studied for their own potential health benefits. There are no firm answers yet and results, so far, have been mixed. It should also be noted that research on individual nutrients does not mean that a finished product containing them will have the same effects. Haggerty said a well-designed clinical study of Code Red itself would be needed before making claims about its ability to relieve menstrual pain, and Ulbikas hopes to pursue that research in the future. She said some customers have reported experiencing less pain after eating the chocolate. However, those experiences are anecdotal and do not establish whether the product is effective. Haggerty said individual responses to products can vary. She encourages consumers to be cautious about health claims and speak with a health professional about whether a product is right for them. A focus on women’s health Haggerty said innovation in the menstrual health space is encouraging, particularly because more research is needed to better understand and address symptoms that affect a large number of people. She pointed to estimates that between 50 and 90 per cent of adolescent girls and young women experience menstrual cramps. “It’s super encouraging to see the innovation focused on women’s health,” Haggerty said. The nutrients in Code Red are also found in everyday foods. Magnesium, for example, is in nuts and seeds, while calcium can be found in dairy products and fortified alternatives. Fatty fish contains Vitamin D, as do fortified products. Code Red provides specific nutrients in measured amounts, which Haggerty said may be convenient, but that does not necessarily make it more beneficial than a balanced diet. Ulbikas said convenience is key. “Lots of people can take chocolate separately for menstrual pain. A lot of people can take the supplements separately too, but together it’s a nice experience.” Where to find Code Red Ulbikas said she initially made the chocolate by hand with her mother in a commercial kitchen in Guelph, producing about 150 units per day. Production has now moved to a manufacturer in Kitchener, which can make up to 1,000 units per day. Code Red is available at the company’s website, as well as Benjamin’s Bodega and Double Rainbow Cafe in Guelph. Ulbikas said the business is also preparing to launch at Goodness Me! locations across Ontario and the University of Guelph bookstore. A pouch containing 10 chocolate squares, or five days worth of the recommended serving, sells for $10.99. Ulbikas said she hopes to expand the Code Red product line with additional varieties, including extra-dark and milk chocolate, as well as other products focused on women’s health. “I want to use nutrition as a tool to help people in a way that they normally can’t get from something else,” she told CTV News.
