Let us be honest, we all love chocolate, some of us even find it to be therapeutic. But do any of us actually know what we are consuming with every bite we take?
Theobromine is the major chemical found in chocolate [1]. It
looks very similar to caffeine, differs in a methyl group (-CH) and when
caffeine is consumed it can be converted into theobromine in the body. Reason
people think that chocolate is so high in caffeine. Theobromine is likely what
provides that feeling of well-being we all look for in chocolate [1]. Did you
know though that eating the chocolate if high in theobromine, so like dark
chocolate can work to lower one’s blood pressure, and increase water
elimination from the body [2]? In really high amounts it may work to suppress a
cough [1]. If taking that high of a dose though you may experience sweating,
trembling, severe headaches, nausea and vomiting, and seizures [3]. The average
intake daily is close to 39.05mg so these symptoms aren’t too common.
According to the internet if you are pregnant or breasting
feeding may not want to consume chocolate. Theobromine is apparently capable of
passing through the placenta barrier reaching the growing fetus. The fetus can be
born with birth defects, including: cranial deformities, an enlarged spleen,
shortened limbs and a weakened immune system [3,4,5]. Even if you were to wait
before breastfeeding your infant theobromine is still present even three hours
after consuming chocolate [2]. Another site claims there is an increased risk
to older men consuming theobromine. A study showed correlation between
increased theobromine consumption and increased risk of prostate cancer. The
more cancer older men consume the more at risk they are to have prostate cancer
[5]. But that doesn’t mean one causes the other just that there appears to be a
link.
Not that I should even have to say this if you are an
attentive dog owner but do not think about giving your dog chocolate. Theobromine
is why our pets have such strong reactions. If your dog were to eat chocolate
symptoms of theobromine poisoning would be seen such as thirst, vomiting,
diarrhea or death [1]. Since dogs’ bodies take long to eliminate the chemical from
their body then our bodies do these symptoms will last longer and do more harm
[2]. Good news though is that dogs don’t know what they’re missing out on. If
you desire to buy them a chocolate cake to celebrate their birthday just buy a
carob cake instead. Carob is free of theobromine and pups love it, plus tastes
just like chocolate so you can enjoy it with your dog [5].
So should you avoid this chemical? No, not really. Who would
want to give up chocolate anyways? If a woman and pregnant though or an older
man already at risk for prostate cancer maybe might want to cut back on the
chocolate intake. Although, you do not need to avoid the chemical make sure
your chocolate supply is kept out of reach of your dogs because they should definitely
avoid it and they don’t know what is good for them and what isn’t so it is your
responsibility to watch out for them.
[1] Schlager, E. D.; Weisblatt, J.; Newton, D. E. Theobromine. In Chemical Compounds, 3rd vol.; Detroit: UXL, 2006; pp 843-846.
[2] Zandperl. Chocolate, Caffeine, and Theobromine – Oh My! Modern Science (2007). http://modern-science.blogspot.ca/2007/12/chocolate-caffeine-and-theobromine-oh.html (Accessed March 6, 2016)
[3] Theobromine. U.S. National Library of Medicine. HDBS [Online]. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2/f?./temp/~3WkJCT:3 (Accessed February 25, 2016)
[4] Theobromine. Hazardous Chemicals Desk Reference, 6th ed; Wiley & Sons, 2008; pp 1330
[5] Burak, T. Why You Should Switch From Chocolate to Carob. Amazing Discoveries. 2014. http://amazinghealth.com/AH-health-chocolate-carob-switch-addiction-caffeine (Accessed March 6, 2016)
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