Mosh bars have emerged as a functional food option, emphasizing both physical and cognitive well-being. Marketed as "brain fuel," these bars contain a blend of ingredients intended to support muscle growth, recovery, focus, and overall brain health. This article delves into the ingredients, nutritional profile, and potential benefits of Mosh bars, including their possible role in weight management.
What are Mosh Bars?
Mosh bars are protein bars designed to provide a convenient and nutritious snack. They stand out from other protein bars due to their inclusion of a "Brain Blend," which features ingredients like lion's mane, KSM-66 ashwagandha, and Cognizin® Citicoline. Maria Shriver and Patrick Schwarzenegger founded the company, Mosh, with a mission to support brain health research, particularly related to Alzheimer's disease. A portion of the proceeds from Mosh bar sales goes towards funding gender-based brain health research through the Women's Alzheimer's Movement.
Key Ingredients and Their Benefits
Mosh bars contain a variety of ingredients, each contributing to the bar's overall nutritional profile and purported health benefits. Here's a breakdown of some key components:
- Protein Blend: Mosh bars typically contain a blend of whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, and grass-fed milk protein isolate. Whey protein isolate boasts the highest protein content by weight (around 90%), while whey protein concentrate ranges from 35-80% protein. Protein is essential for muscle building, repair, and overall satiety.
- Brain Blend: This is a unique feature of Mosh bars, designed to support cognitive function. Key ingredients include:
- Lion's Mane: This medicinal mushroom has gained popularity in the nootropic community for its potential to enhance Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a protein crucial for nerve cell survival and function. By increasing NGF levels, lion's mane may improve cognition, promote neuronal growth, and offer neuroprotective benefits.
- Cognizin® Citicoline: A specialized form of choline, citicoline is a molecule composed of choline and cytidine. Choline is an essential nutrient vital for synthesizing phospholipid bilayer membranes, which form the outer barrier of all cells in the body. Cognizin® Citicoline is known for its ability to support focus, cognition, and brain health.
- KSM-66® Ashwagandha: This is a trademarked, full-spectrum ashwagandha root extract. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen known for its ability to reduce stress levels by lowering cortisol. It has also been shown to enhance physical performance.
- Healthy Fats: Mosh bars incorporate sources of healthy fats like MCT oil and omega-3s. These fats have been shown to increase energy flow to the brain. The protein blend used in every bar is certified as Truly Grass Fed, meaning that aside from the cow's grass-fed diet, there are also no growth hormones used and the cow's milk is Non-GMO Project Verified.
- Other Ingredients: Mosh bars also contain ingredients like tapioca fiber, organic agave, vegetable glycerin, unsweetened chocolate, erythritol, cocoa butter, sunflower lecithin, sea salt, steviol glycosides, monk fruit extract, tapioca starch, and calcium carbonate.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional profile of Mosh bars varies slightly depending on the flavor. However, a typical Mosh bar (approximately 1.48 oz) contains:
- Calories: 170-180
- Protein: 12g
- Sugar: 3g
Mosh bars are also gluten-free, soy-free, and kosher, making them suitable for individuals with certain dietary restrictions.
Read also: Your guide to keto-friendly bars
Mosh Bars and Weight Loss
Mosh bars may contribute to weight loss or weight management in several ways:
- High Protein Content: The 12g of protein per bar can help increase satiety, reducing overall calorie intake. Protein takes longer to digest than carbohydrates or fats, leading to a prolonged feeling of fullness.
- Low Sugar Content: With only 3g of sugar per bar, Mosh bars are a better option than many other snack bars that are loaded with added sugars. High sugar intake can lead to weight gain and other health problems.
- Healthy Fats: The inclusion of healthy fats like MCT oil and omega-3s can also contribute to satiety and overall health.
- Convenient Meal Replacement or Snack: Mosh bars offer a convenient and portion-controlled way to replace a meal or snack, helping individuals stay within their calorie goals.
It's important to note that Mosh bars should be consumed as part of a balanced diet and active lifestyle for optimal weight management.
Taste and Flavors
Mosh bars are available in a variety of flavors, including:
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch
- Chocolate Crunch
- Peanut Butter Crunch
- Cookie Dough Crunch
- Chocolate Brownie
- Apple Cinnamon (plant-based)
Reviewers have noted that Mosh bars are light in taste and not overly sweet, making them a refreshing and guilt-free snack option. The texture is often described as crunchy, thanks to ingredients like almonds, coconut, and protein crisps.
Potential Drawbacks
While Mosh bars offer several potential benefits, there are a few factors to consider:
Read also: Guilt-Free Chocolate Treat
- Allergens: Mosh bars contain milk and peanuts. Some flavors may also contain tree nuts. Individuals with allergies to these ingredients should avoid Mosh bars.
- Price: Mosh bars are generally more expensive than traditional protein bars. A box of 12 bars typically costs around $43.99.
- Individual Results May Vary: The cognitive benefits of the Brain Blend ingredients may not be immediately noticeable and may vary from person to person.
Read also: Looking for a healthy dessert? Check out this keto Tagalong bars recipe.