Theobromine is an alkaloid of cocoa and has similar effects to caffeine on the human body, but about 10 times more bland: diuretic stimulant lowers blood pressure as a vasodilator The darker t ...

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Theobromine is an alkaloid of cocoa and has similar effects to caffeine on the human body, but about 10 times more bland:

• diuretic
• stimulant
• lowers blood pressure as a vasodilator

The darker the chocolate, the more it is present.

Present, even if in minimal quantity, in nuts and tea.

Studies have shown the benefits of cocoa and chocolate on blood circulation also due to the action of this alkaloid (1)

It is however an exciting and therefore care must be taken not to abuse (2).

Caution. For some pets it is toxic, therefore not to be given to dogs, horses, birds and others as it could cause cardiac arrhythmias, convulsions and worse (3) (4).

Other studies on theobromine

Molecular Formula: C₇H₈N₄O₂

Molecular Weight: 180.167 g/mol

UNII: OBD445WZ5P

CAS: 83-67-0

EC Number: 201-494-2

FEMA Number: 3591

PubChem Substance ID 24277679

MDL number MFCD00022830

Beilstein Registry Number 16464

Synonyms:

• 3,7-Dimethylxanthine
• Diurobromine
• Teobromin
• Thesal
• 3,7-dimethylpurine-2,6-dione
• 3,7-Dimethyl-3,7-dihydro-1H-purine-2,6-dione
• Theobromin
• Xanthine, 3,7-dimethyl-
• Theosalvose
• Theostene
• SC 15090
• 2,6-Dihydroxy-3,7-dimethylpurine
• Theobromine (natural)
• UNII-OBD445WZ5P
• NSC 5039
• Santheose
• Thesodate
• 3,7-Dihydro-3,7-dimethyl-1H-purine-2,6-dione
• 1H-Purine-2,6-dione, 3,7-dihydro-3,7-dimethyl-
• 7-Dimethylxanthine
• 2,6-Dihydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-purine

References_________________________________________

(1) Effect of cocoa on blood pressure.
Ried K, Sullivan TR, Fakler P, Frank OR, Stocks NP
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Aug 15;8:CD008893. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008893.pub2. Review.

Effects of cocoa powder and dark chocolate on LDL oxidative susceptibility and prostaglandin concentrations in humans.
Wan Y, Vinson JA, Etherton TD, Proch J, Lazarus SA, Kris-Etherton PM.
Source: Graduate Program in Nutrition, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA.

(2) Atrial fibrillation associated with chocolate intake abuse and chronic salbutamol inhalation abuse.
Patanè S, Marte F, La Rosa FC, La Rocca R.
Int J Cardiol. 2010 Nov 19;145(2):e74-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2008.12.159. 

(3) Chocolate intoxication in a dog
Stosic A, Ondreka N, Henrich E, Hassdenteufel E, Schneider M.
Klinik für Kleintiere, Innere Medizin der Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Frankfurter Straße 126, 35392 Gießen

(4) Death by chocolate: a fatal problem for an inquisitive wild parrot.
Gartrell BD, Reid C.
Source: New Zealand Wildlife Health Centre, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

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