HWN Suggests

What You Need To Know About Theobromine, Poster Child For Valentine's Chocolate Chemistry

It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without somebody writing an article about the chemistry of chocolate. That person might as well be me. So without further ado, let’s discuss theobromine, a molecule that you may have heard is in chocolate and cocoa products. Here’s what you need to know. Theobromine is a molecule made by plants. It’s most famous for being one of the many compounds naturally found in chocolate, but it’s also in tea, among other plant products. Theobromine was discovered in the 1840s, in cocoa beans as a matter of fact. If you take a look at what theobromine looks like at the atom scale, though, there’s no bromine (which would have the abbreviation Br) in sight. Just carbon hydrogen,…

read full article

Articles of Interest

Can chocolate really kill dogs?

Theobromine is a bitter alkaloid of the cocoa plant found in chocolate. Although harmless to humans, it can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, convulsions and even death in animals that digest theobromine slowly, such as dogs. The lethal dosage is between 250 and 500mg per kg of body weight. So if Rover's a chihuahua, that chocolate button will be more toxic than if he were a rottweiler. Usually, the darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains.

Ingredient Explained: Theobromine

Over the last decade caffeine has become known as the most effective pre-workout and thermogenic ingredient on the planet -- a reputation that is well supported by the research. However, we have seen numerous other compounds emerge as suitable alternatives for those that are intolerant to caffeine, or that work synergistically with caffeine to improve results. And theobromine is one of these.

Is the theobromine in chocolate and cocoa good or bad for me?

Theobromine is a caffeine-related stimulant that naturally occurs in cacao beans and is therefore in cocoa powders and chocolates. ConsumerLab's tests of dark chocolates and cocoas show them to contain about as much theobromine as heart-healthy flavanols. Dark chocolate can be particularly rich in theobromine, with a standard 40-gram serving often providing 300 to 400 mg of theobromine.

The relevance of theobromine for the beneficial effects of cocoa consumption

Cocoa consumption began in America and in the mid sixteenth Century it quickly spread to Europe. Beyond being considered a pleasant habit due to its rich sweet lingering taste, chocolate was considered a good nutrient and even a medicine. Traditionally, health benefits of cocoa have been related with the high content of antioxidants of Theobroma cocoa beans. However, the direct psychoactive effect due to methylxanthines in cocoa is notable. Theobromine and caffeine, in the proportions found in cocoa, are responsible for the liking of the food/beverage. These compounds influence in a positive way our moods and our state of alertness. Theobromine, which is found in higher amounts than caffeine, seems to be behind several effects attributed to cocoa intake. The main mechanisms of action are inhibition of phosphodiesterases and blockade of adenosine receptors.

Theobromine Benefits and Side Effects

Theobromine acts in a similar way to caffeine in your brain. These two compounds both fall into the methylxanthine category, and they block specific receptors that are meant for the chemical compound adenosine. Under normal conditions, adenosine docks on its receptors, and it induces feelings of sleepiness. When theobromine is present, however, it takes the place of adenosine on these receptors and therefore blocks adenosine activity. The result is a boost in energy, much like you feel with caffeine (although less potent)

Theobromine Versus Caffeine

Back in 1841 the Russian chemist Alekasandr Voskresensky discovered an alkaloid in the fruit of Theobroma cacao (aka the cacao/cocoa tree). And he called it ‘theobromine’, reflecting the etymology of “food of the goods” (aka, the cocoa tree; called “Theobroma cacao” by Carl Linnaeus). This discovery was part of a line of remarkable alkaloid discoveries starting with morphine (1804) that went on to include a range of other interesting stimulants and drugs such as caffeine (1820), nicotine (1828), and cocaine (1860).

Theobromine – The Ultimate Guide and Review

Theobromine is a xanthine alkaloid found naturally in the cacao plant, from which chocolate is made. Theobromine may be a healthier version of caffeine and may actually provide health benefits related to cognition and the cardiovascular system.

Theobromine, “Food of the Gods”

Theobromine is considered the “food of the gods”. Its roots are in Greek, theo (“god”) + broma (“food”). It was first discovered in cacao beans in 1841 by a Russian chemist. We now know that theobromine can be found in the kola nut, the guarana berry, yerba mate, and Yaupon tea. A naturally occurring stimulant, theobromine does not impact the central nervous system as caffeine does. In addition to being non-addictive, the result is a less jittery effect with no caffeine “crash”. The feeling, as chocoholics know, is one of being gently refreshed or energized.

Theobromine: Cacao’s Super Stimulant

Besides the high content of antioxidants, scientific studies point to methylxanthines as key players in Cacao's beneficial effects. Methylxanthines are a group of naturally occurring alkaloids found in high concentrations in tea, coffee, and Cacao. Caffeine is coffee's main methylxanthine, and theophylline is tea's. For Cacao, it's Theobromine. The scientific community's main interest lies in Theobromine's beneficial effects on the body and mind that come without the undesirable side effects of caffeine.

What is Theobromine and Can It Save Me From Caffeine?

Theobromine is a naturally occurring compound found in cacao and select tea plants. You’ll often hear theobromine mentioned in the same breath as cacao and even chocolate. This is because cacao is often the primary source of this naturally occurring stimulant. Cacao has long been known for its energizing effect and was even served to ancient Mayan chiefs because it was viewed as a gift from the gods. As such, when scientists decided to name the new genus of plant, they called it Theobroma Cacao which means “food of the gods.”