What is Theobromine
Theobromine is the alkaloid typical of cocoa. It is therefore a natural substance, endowed with a mild diuretic, cardiotonic and vasodilatory action, especially at the coronary level; not by chance, therefore, it was used as a useful drug to fight angina.
Theobromine in food
The well-known stimulant effects of cocoa are linked to the presence of theobromine (approximately 2%), together with caffeine (0.6-0.8%).
Consequently, in a 100 grams dark chocolate bar, we find 600-1800 mg of theobromine and 20-60 mg of caffeine. However, these are general values, which can vary - even considerably - depending on the type of seeds, the cultivation techniques and the fermentation process to which they are subjected before being roasted. In milk chocolate the content of theobromine is reduced (because the percentage of cocoa is lower), while it is practically zero in the white one.
Small amounts of theobromine are also present in tea (in whose dried leaves is present as a percentage equal to 0.2%), in guarana, in cola and in mate.
Property
Theobromine is a common ingredient in some energy supplements / fat burners and certain creams for the treatment of cellulite.
The stimulating effect on the central nervous system is about 10 times lower than that of caffeine; at high doses, however, theobromine can cause restlessness, tremors, anxiety, sweats, arrhythmias, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
Chocolate and Dogs
Theobromine, when consumed in large quantities, is particularly toxic to dogs. In a 10 kg specimen, 200 grams of chocolate are sufficient to cause vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, muscle tremors, rapid breathing and convulsions, up to death in the most serious cases; in particular, the lethal dose is 330 mg of theobromine per kg of weight.
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