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Food Name | Theobromine |
Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened, processed with alkali | 2634 |
Cocoa, dry powder, hi-fat or breakfast, processed with alkali | 2445 |
Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened | 2057 |
Cocoa, dry powder, hi-fat or breakfast, plain | 1763 |
Baking chocolate, unsweetened, liquid | 1597 |
Baking chocolate, unsweetened, squares | 1297 |
Dairy drink mix, chocolate, reduced calorie, with low-calorie sweeteners, powder | 833 |
Chocolate, dark, 70-85% cacao solids | 802 |
Cocoa mix, no sugar added, powder | 658 |
Chocolate, dark, 60-69% cacao solids | 632 |
Beverage, instant breakfast powder, chocolate, sugar-free, not reconstituted | 608 |
Puddings, chocolate flavor, low calorie, regular, dry mix | 596 |
Candies, chocolate, dark, NFS (45-59% cacao solids 90%; 60-69% cacao solids 5%; 70-85% cacao solids 5%) | 515 |
Chocolate, dark, 45- 59% cacao solids | 493 |
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- Abbreviations: g = gram, mg = milligram, mcg = microgram, kcal = kilocalorie, kJ = kilojoule.
Theobromine
Theobromine (theobromide), also known as xantheose, is a bitter alkaloid of the cacao plant, with the chemical formula C7H8N4O2. It is found in chocolate, as well as in a number of other foods, including the leaves of the tea plant, and the kola (or cola) nut. It is in the methylxanthine class of chemical compounds, which also includes the similar compounds theophylline and caffeine. (In caffeine, the only difference is that the NH group of theobromine is an N-CH3 group.) Despite its name, the compound contains no bromine—theobromine is derived from Theobroma, the name of the genus of the cacao tree, (which itself is made up of the Greek roots theo ("God") and broma ("food"), meaning "food of the gods") with the suffix -ine given to alkaloids and other basic nitrogen-containing compounds.
Theobromine is a slightly water-soluble (330 mg/L), crystalline, bitter powder; the color has been listed as either white or colorless. It has a similar, but lesser, effect than caffeine in the human nervous system, making it a lesser homologue. Theobromine is an isomer of theophylline, as well as paraxanthine. Theobromine is categorized as a dimethyl xanthine.
Effects of Theobromine on Humans
The amount of theobromine found in chocolate is small enough that chocolate can, in general, be safely consumed by humans. However, theobromine poisoning may result from the chronic or acute consumption of large quantities, especially in the elderly.
While theobromine and caffeine are similar in that they are related alkaloids, theobromine is weaker in both its inhibition of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases and its antagonism of adenosine receptors. Therefore, theobromine has a lesser impact on the human central nervous system than caffeine. However, theobromine stimulates the heart to a greater degree. While theobromine is not as addictive, it has been cited as possibly causing addiction to chocolate. Theobromine has also been identified as one of the compounds contributing to chocolate's reputed role as an aphrodisiac.
As it is a myocardial stimulant as well as a vasodilator, it increases heartbeat, yet it also dilates blood vessels, causing a reduced blood pressure. However, a recent paper published suggested that the decrease in blood pressure may be caused by flavanols. Furthermore, its draining effect allows it to be used to treat cardiac failure, which leads to and is exacerbated by an excessive accumulation of fluid in the body.
A 2004 study published by Imperial College London concluded that theobromine has an antitussive (cough-reducing) effect superior to codeine by suppressing vagus nerve activity. In addition, theobromine is helpful in treating asthma, since it relaxes the smooth muscles, including the ones found in the bronchi.
A study conducted in Utah between 1983 and 1986, and published in 1993, showed a possible association between theobromine and an increased risk of suffering from prostate cancer in older men. This association was not found to be linear for aggressive tumors. While the association may be spurious, it is plausible. Prenatal and infant exposure to theobromine appeared possibly associated with hypospadias and testicular cancer in one population study.
As with caffeine, theobromine can cause sleeplessness, tremors, restlessness, anxiety, as well as contribute to increased production of urine. Additional side effects include loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
Food Sources of Theobromine
Theobromine is the primary alkaloid found in cocoa and chocolate. Cocoa powder can vary in the amount of theobromine, from 2% theobromine to at least 10%. There are usually higher concentrations in dark than in milk chocolate. Theobromine can also be found in small amounts in the kola nut (1.0–2.5%), the guarana berry, Holly berries, Ilex guayusa, Ilex paraguariensis (yerba mate), and the tea plant. 1 oz of milk chocolate contains approximately 60 mg of theobromine but 1 oz of dark chocolate contains about 200 mg. In general, theobromine levels are higher in dark chocolates (approximately 1%) than in milk chocolates (0.1–0.5%). Higher quality chocolate tends to contain more theobromine than lower quality chocolate. Cocoa beans naturally contain approximately 1–4% theobromine.
Foods Highest in Theobromine Content
Theobromine content is in mg per 100 g of food weight.
| Theobromine |
| Foods Rich in Theobromine (100 g) |
| 2634 |
| Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened, processed with alkali |
| 2445 |
| Cocoa, dry powder, hi-fat or breakfast, processed with alkali |
| 2057 |
| Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened |
| 1763 |
| Cocoa, dry powder, hi-fat or breakfast, plain |
| 1597 |
| Baking chocolate, unsweetened, liquid |
| 1297 |
| Baking chocolate, unsweetened, squares |
| 833 |
| Dairy drink mix, chocolate, reduced calorie, with low-calorie sweeteners, powder |
| 802 |
| Chocolate, dark, 70-85% cacao solids |
| 658 |
| Cocoa mix, no sugar added, powder |
| 632 |
| Chocolate, dark, 60-69% cacao solids |
| 608 |
| Beverage, instant breakfast powder, chocolate, sugar-free, not reconstituted |
| 596 |
| Puddings, chocolate flavor, low calorie, regular, dry mix |
| 515 |
| Candies, chocolate, dark, NFS (45-59% cacao solids 90%; 60-69% cacao solids 5%; 70-85% cacao solids |
| 493 |
| Chocolate, dark, 45- 59% cacao solids |
| 486 |
| Candies, semisweet chocolate |
| 486 |
| Candies, semisweet chocolate, made with butter |
| 473 |
| Puddings, chocolate flavor, low calorie, instant, dry mix |
| 430 |
| Cookies, chocolate sandwich, with creme filling, regular |
| 426 |
| Candies, sweet chocolate |
| 424 |
| Chocolate-flavor beverage mix for milk, powder, without added nutrients |
| 424 |
| Desserts, rennin, chocolate, dry mix |
| 368 |
| Candies, dark chocolate coated coffee beans |
| 363 |
| Cookies, graham crackers, chocolate-coated |
| 362 |
| Puddings, chocolate, dry mix, regular |
| 356 |
| Cake, chocolate, dry mix, regular |
| 345 |
| Malted drink mix, chocolate, with added nutrients, powder |
| 345 |
| Malted drink mix, chocolate, powder |
| 324 |
| Coffee and cocoa (mocha) powder, with whitener and low calorie sweetener, decaffeinated |
| Theobromine |
| Foods Rich in Theobromine (100 g) |
| 294 |
| Coffee, instant, with sugar, mocha-flavor, powder |
| 290 |
| Beverage, instant breakfast powder, chocolate, not reconstituted |
| 277 |
| Chocolate-flavor beverage mix for milk, powder, with added nutrients |
| 247 |
| Syrups, chocolate, fudge-type |
| 245 |
| Puddings, chocolate, dry mix, instant |
| 242 |
| Cake mix, pudding, dry, german chocolate |
| 240 |
| Cake, marble, dry mix, pudding-type |
| 238 |
| Candies, MARS SNACKFOOD US, MILKY WAY Midnight Bar |
| 231 |
| Baking chocolate, mexican, squares |
| 230 |
| Chocolate-flavored hazelnut spread |
| 223 |
| Cookies, chocolate wafers |
| 215 |
| Cake, snack cakes, creme-filled, chocolate with frosting |
| 215 |
| Cake, chocolate, commercially prepared with chocolate frosting, in-store bakery |
| 212 |
| Candies, MARS SNACKFOOD US, TWIX chocolate fudge cookie bars |
| 207 |
| Cake, chocolate, dry mix, pudding-type |
| 205 |
| Candies, milk chocolate |
| 203 |
| Candies, milk chocolate, with rice cereal |
| 198 |
| Candies, MR. GOODBAR Chocolate Bar |
| 195 |
| Syrups, chocolate, HERSHEY'S Genuine Chocolate Flavored Lite Syrup |
| 188 |
| Frostings, chocolate, creamy, dry mix |
| 185 |
| Candies, sweet chocolate coated fondant |
| 183 |
| Candies, milk chocolate, with almonds |
| 178 |
| Candies, milk chocolate coated coffee beans |
| 169 |
| Cookies, chocolate sandwich, with extra creme filling |
| 168 |
| Candies, NESTLE, CRUNCH Bar and Dessert Topping |
| 166 |
| Pie crust, cookie-type, prepared from recipe, chocolate wafer, chilled |
| 159 |
| Cookies, marshmallow, chocolate-coated (includes marshmallow pies) |
| 152 |
| Candies, truffles, prepared-from-recipe |
| 150 |
| Candies, chocolate covered, dietetic or low calorie |
| 146 |
| Frostings, chocolate, creamy, dry mix, prepared with butter |
| Theobromine |
| Foods Rich in Theobromine (100 g) |
| 145 |
| Frostings, chocolate, creamy, dry mix, prepared with margarine |
| 145 |
| Candies, milk chocolate coated peanuts |
| 143 |
| Candies, MARS SNACKFOOD US, M&M's Milk Chocolate Candies |
| 139 |
| Candies, fudge, chocolate marshmallow, prepared-from-recipe |
| 136 |
| Cereals ready-to-eat, chocolate-flavored frosted puffed corn |
| 136 |
| Cereals ready-to-eat, MALT-O-MEAL, COCO-ROOS |
| 130 |
| Candies, MOUNDS Candy Bar |
| 130 |
| Candies, fudge, chocolate, prepared-from-recipe |
| 129 |
| Candies, fudge, chocolate marshmallow, with nuts, prepared-by-recipe |
| 127 |
| Cookies, chocolate chip, prepared from recipe, made with margarine |
| 122 |
| Candies, milk chocolate coated raisins |
| 120 |
| Ice creams, chocolate, rich |
| 119 |
| Candies, NESTLE, BABY RUTH Bar |
| 116 |
| Candies, KIT KAT Wafer Bar |
| 113 |
| Candies, chocolate covered, caramel with nuts |
| 112 |
| Candies, fudge, chocolate, with nuts, prepared-from-recipe |
| 108 |
| Candies, MARS SNACKFOOD US, M&M's Peanut Chocolate Candies |
| 106 |
| Snacks, granola bar, KASHI GOLEAN, crunchy, mixed flavors |
| 106 |
| Frozen yogurts, chocolate, nonfat milk, sweetened without sugar |
| 106 |
| Frozen yogurts, chocolate |
| 106 |
| Frozen yogurts, chocolate, soft-serve |
| 106 |
| Candies, MARS SNACKFOOD US, 3 MUSKETEERS Bar |
| 104 |
| Chocolate-flavor beverage mix, powder, prepared with whole milk |
| 100 |
| Cream substitute, flavored, liquid |
| 100 |
| Pie Crust, Cookie-type, Chocolate, Ready Crust |
| 100 |
| Candies, WHATCHAMACALLIT Candy Bar |
| 99 |
| Formulated bar, ZONE PERFECT CLASSIC CRUNCH BAR, mixed flavors |
| 98 |
| Frostings, glaze, chocolate, prepared-from-recipe, with butter, NFSMI Recipe No. C-32 |
| 97 |
| Cereals, MALT-O-MEAL, chocolate, dry |
| 95 |
| NABISCO, NABISCO SNACKWELL'S Fat Free Devil's Food Cookie Cakes |
| Theobromine |
| Foods Rich in Theobromine (100 g) |
| 92 |
| Cream substitute, flavored, powdered |
| 91 |
| Cookies, chocolate chip, dry mix |
| 89 |
| Waffles, chocolate chip, frozen, ready-to-heat |
| 85 |
| Candies, MARS SNACKFOOD US, SNICKERS Bar |
| 83 |
| Cookies, chocolate chip, commercially prepared, regular, higher fat, enriched |
| 83 |
| Fast foods, cookies, chocolate chip |
| 83 |
| Cake, snack cakes, cupcakes, chocolate, with frosting, low-fat |
| 83 |
| Cookies, chocolate chip, commercially prepared, regular, higher fat, unenriched |
| 79 |
| Candies, 5TH AVENUE Candy Bar |
| 79 |
| Frostings, chocolate, creamy, ready-to-eat |
| 78 |
| Cookies, brownies, commercially prepared |
| 77 |
| Cookies, sugar wafers with creme filling, regular |
| 75 |
| Candies, TOOTSIE ROLL, chocolate-flavor roll |
| 75 |
| Candies, caramels, chocolate-flavor roll |
| 73 |
| Dairy drink mix, chocolate, reduced calorie, with aspartame, powder, prepared with water and ice |
| 73 |
| Candies, MARS SNACKFOOD US, M&M's Almond Chocolate Candies |
| 72 |
| Cookies, chocolate chip, refrigerated dough |
| 72 |
| Candies, REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups |
| 71 |
| Tea, instant, unsweetened, powder |
| 70 |
| Candies, MARS SNACKFOOD US, TWIX Peanut Butter Cookie Bars |
| 70 |
| Puddings, chocolate, ready-to-eat |
| 70 |
| Candies, MARS SNACKFOOD US, TWIX Caramel Cookie Bars |
| 69 |
| Ice cream, soft serve, chocolate |
| 69 |
| Milk dessert bar, frozen, made from lowfat milk |
| 69 |
| Ice creams, chocolate, light |
| 68 |
| Milk, chocolate beverage, hot cocoa, homemade |
| 67 |
| Formulated bar, LUNA BAR, NUTZ OVER CHOCOLATE |
| 64 |
| Chocolate syrup, prepared with whole milk |
| 64 |
| Candies, MARS SNACKFOOD US, MILKY WAY Bar |
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