What is theobromine toxicity?

Theobromine poisoning, also informally called chocolate poisoning or cocoa poisoning, is an overdosage reaction to the xanthine alkaloid theobromine, found in chocolate, tea, cola beverages, and some other foods.


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.

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.


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.

How many mg of theobromine is toxic to dogs?

Doses <20 mg/kg of body weight are unlikely to result in clinical signs of chocolate poisoning in dogs. Anything higher than 50 mg/kg of body weight of theobromine ingestion warrants veterinary attention. The lethal dose is estimated at around 100 mg/kg of body weight of theobromine ingested.


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How long after a dog eats chocolate will they be OK?

Symptoms of chocolate poisoning will usually show within six to 12 hours, but could appear within one hour. If you know your dog has eaten chocolate, act immediately and don't wait for the signs to appear. We always recommend seeking veterinary advice if you have any concerns about the health of your pets.

What happens if a dog eats 100g of chocolate?

Dog owners often ask how much chocolate can kill a dog. While there is no right or wrong answer to this, we know dogs show symptoms of poisoning when they eat 20mg of theobromine (the toxic chemical in chocolate) for every kilogram they weigh. These symptoms become severe at 40 to 50mg per kg.

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.


Can humans get theobromine poisoning?

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 foods are rich in 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.

How do you counteract theobromine?

If treated early, decontamination including inducing vomiting and administering activated charcoal to prevent absorption of theobromine into the body may be all that is necessary. Treatments of activated charcoal may be repeated to reduce the continued resorption and recirculation of theobromine.


How much theobromine is equivalent to caffeine?

Although theobromine and caffeine have similar effects on the body, the effectiveness of theobromine is about 10 times weaker than caffeine.

What class of drug is theobromine?

Theobromine is a flat molecule, a derivative of purine. It is also classified as a dimethyl xanthine. Related compounds include theophylline, caffeine, paraxanthine, and 7-methylxanthine, each of which differ in the number or placement of the methyl groups.

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 theobromine cause anxiety?

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

Do M&Ms have theobromine?

M&Ms contain chocolate, and chocolate is toxic to dogs because it contains chemicals called methylxanthines like caffeine and theobromine, which dogs cannot break down like we can.

Which chocolate has the least theobromine?

Milk chocolate contains 44 mg / ounce of theobromine while semisweet chocolate contains 150 mg per ounce, and baking chocolate contains 390 mg per ounce. White chocolate has virtually no theobromine and is only a problem because of its fat content.


What happens if a dog eats 5 Hershey Kisses?

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Chocolate can cause restlessness, vomiting and diarrhea at moderate doses. High doses can cause scary symptoms like heart arrhythmia and seizures. It may take up to 6 hours for your pup to show symptoms after their naughty indulgence.

How much theobromine is in a cup of coffee?

Containing around 250 milligrams of theobromine and only nineteen milligrams of caffeine (in a fifty gram portion), in comparison to brewed coffee's 95 milligrams and cold brew's 238-153 milligrams of caffeine, chocolate refrains from imparting that feeling of over-stimulation associated with coffee, making it the ...

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.


Does theobromine affect heart rate?

Theobromine. Theobromine, an ingredient commonly found in chocolate, can also increase your heart rate and cause palpitations. Researchers in one study found that theobromine could have a positive effect on your moods. But at high doses, its effects are no longer beneficial.

How soon do dogs show symptoms of chocolate poisoning?

Chocolate is toxic to dogs and could cause a medical emergency. Signs of chocolate poisoning usually appear within 6 to 12 hours.

What if my dog ate chocolate but seems fine?

Chocolate is poisonous to dogs mostly because of its theobromine content, which dogs are unable to metabolize effectively. If your dog eats chocolate, you should monitor them closely and seek veterinary attention if they show any symptoms, or if they are very young, pregnant or have other health concerns.


How much chocolate actually hurts a dog?

Dark Chocolate: Use a scale of 1.5 ounces per 10 pounds of body weight. That's 3 ounces for a 20 pound dog. If they've ingested that much or more, it's time to call your vet. Milk Chocolate or Semi-sweet: A poisonous amount would be anything over 3.5 ounces- a standard size Hershey's bar- for a small 10 pound dog.