What foods contain theobromine?

Theobromine is consumed in cocoa and chocolate beverages and in various forms of chocolate-based foods. Theobromine is also present in small amounts in green coffee beans, tea and mate.


Is theobromine in anything other than chocolate?

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.

What does theobromine do to humans?

For starters, it naturally lowers blood pressure. This, in turn, decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease. There's also some evidence theobromine may reduce “bad” cholesterol and improve “good” cholesterol. Additionally, the substance may improve blood flow throughout the body, further supporting the heart.


Where can I get theobromine?

Some of the most common theobromine sources include cacao, cocoa, and chocolate. Tea leaves also contain theobromine but at a much lower concentration.

Is theobromine worse than caffeine?

Theobromine and caffeine are similarly constructed types of pharmacologically active chemicals but with noticeably different effects. Theobromine is gentle, mild, has a slow onset, is long lasting and non-addictive whereas caffeine is intense, strong, fast acting, short lived and can be addictive.


Foods Containing Theobromine



Which contains the most theobromine?

Dark chocolate contains the largest amount of theobromine per serving of any type of eating chocolate; concentrations vary widely (0.36–0.63%) owing to the initial large difference in the theobromine content in chocolate liquors, but one 1-oz bar of dark chocolate contained 130 mg theobromine, and one 1-oz bar of milk ...

How toxic is theobromine?

For humans, theobromine is considered toxic at a dose of 1,000 milligrams of theobromine per kilogram of body weight. At this point, you would reach the level that toxicologists call the LD50 level, meaning the point in which 50 percent of the test population showed signs of illness.

What is another name for theobromine?

Theobromine, also known as xantheose, is the principal alkaloid of Theobroma cacao (cacao plant).


Why does theobromine make you happy?

It also acts as a natural antidepressant. Theobromine creates more of a relaxed effect, and relieves us from stress.

Does theobromine cause anxiety?

Theobromine and flavanols, or their metabolites, could plausibly influence anxiety by binding to adenosine or benzodiazepine receptors [42–44].

What happens if you eat too much theobromine?

Too much chocolate, 85 bars to be exact, results in theobromine poisoning which will give you symptoms similar to that of a caffeine overdose – trembling, excessive sweating and severe headaches. In some cases, consuming 70g of theobromine can lead to death by cardiac failure, dehydration, and seizures.


Is there theobromine in green tea?

Tea also contains two substances related to caffeine: theobromine and theophylline.

How does theobromine make you feel?

Theobromine simulates a high, like that of cannabis, but at a much lower level, thereby producing a relaxing effect and relieving stress.

Can you be allergic to theobromine?

The presence of theobromine and caffeine in chocolate may also be responsible for pseudo-allergic symptoms that can be reported as allergic symptoms.


How long does it take for theobromine to leave the body?

Humans can easily digest and excrete methylxanthines, the half life of theobromine being 2-3 hours.

Can you be sensitive to theobromine?

Theobromine sensitivity varies from person to person. Some are more tolerant to the effects of stimulants, while others can't handle more than tiny amounts. For the majority of people, consuming chocolate, cocoa nibs and tea in moderation won't cause a negative reaction, but supplements still may.

Does theobromine increase serotonin?

So, it's possible that by ingesting more dark chocolate, you're improving your serotonin levels. Another ingredient in chocolate is theobromine — an ingredient that studies have shown can have a positive, mood elevating effect on those that ingest it.


Why do I feel better after eating chocolate?

It is a precursor to serotonin, which inspires feeling of happiness. Also present is phenylethlyamine, a type of amphetamine, that "gives you a feeling of contentment … and mimics the effect of being in love," according to Ramadan. Theobromine is a stimulant responsible for the "buzz" you get after eating chocolate.

Is theobromine anti inflammatory?

Benefits of the theobromine on cough seem to be related with its anti-inflammatory potential as well as with modulation of airway reactivity (Mokry et al., 2009).

Is theobromine in Coca cola?

Caffeine and theobromine are methylxanthine derivatives found in coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate.


What kind of stimulant is theobromine?

It is a mildly stimulant drug found in tea, coffee, cocoa, and the kola nut and is usually associated with the alkaloids theophylline and theobromine, which are mild cardiac stimulants.

How many mg of theobromine is toxic to humans?

The LD50 for theobromine, or lethal dose required to kill 50 percent of all people, is 1,000 mg/kg of body weight, which translates to 75 g of theobromine in a 75-kg person.

Does theobromine affect sleep?

Theobromine, which increases heart rate and causes sleeplessness, is found in small amounts in chocolate, especially dark. The National Sleep Foundation recommends avoiding chocolate — as well as coffee, tea and soft drinks — before bedtime.


How do you remove theobromine?

SYNoPsIs-The existing methods for determining theobromine in cocoa and its products are described and a new and improved procedure is proposed. In this, the alkaloid is completely extracted by means of boiling water and magnesia, clarified with lead acetate, filtered, concentrated and extracted with chloroform.

Does theobromine cross the blood brain barrier?

Like caffeine, theobromine crosses the blood-brain barrier and binds to adenosine receptors, suggesting it might share caffeine's beneficial effects on mood and vigilance.