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Theobromine

Theobromine (etymology: theobroma (theos = god; broma = drink)) is, like caffeine, a methylxanthine. Theobromine is the 3,7-dimethylxanthine, whereas caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) has one more methyl group. Theobromine is mainly found in cocoa (scientific name Theobroma cacao) and its products. Its effect on the human organism is similar to that of caffeine, but is significantly weaker. In its additional form, theobromine is a white powder. As a stimulating substance, theobromine is often confused with caffeine; however, it has a significantly different effect on the body, as it has a mild and lasting stimulating effect, but also has a mood-enhancing effect. It is found in cocoa and chocolate in harmless quantities, so it is not possible to overdose on it - unsweetened cocoa powder contains 1 to 3 percent theobromine. However, it is only harmless to humans, as animals such as dogs or horses process the substance much worse and it can even be fatal for them.

Theobromine is very effective against dry coughs

Researchers gave ten healthy test subjects theobromine, a placebo or codeine. The scientists then gave the test participants the irritant capsaicin, which gives peppers and chilli peppers their spiciness and causes coughing in its pure form. The more capsaicin the test subjects could tolerate without coughing, the better the effect of the substance used. If the test subjects were given theobromine, the tolerable concentration of capsaicin was around a third higher than in the group taking placebos. If the test subjects were given codeine, the researchers only needed a little more capsaicin to trigger the cough stimulus compared to the placebo group. According to the scientists, theobromine suppresses the activity of the vagus nerve, a cranial nerve that extends from the head to the abdominal cavity and can cause coughing when irritated. The researchers found no side effects with theobromine: Neither the heart nor the central nervous system were affected. Theobromine can therefore be taken without restrictions, the scientists write. In contrast, codeine, which is classified as a narcotic, should not be taken by people who work on machines or still have to drive. However, the researchers have to dampen hopes of a chocolate therapy for coughs: chocolate contains so little theobromine that it is not expected to have any effect on dry coughs.

Need in sport

Theobromine causes muscular relaxation of the smooth muscle tissue. Side effects and toxicity are not known, even in high doses. I recommend following the instructions of the respective product.

References

  1. Acta Pharmacol Toxicol (Copenh). 1984 Jan;54(1):64-71. The effect of alkylxanthines and other phosphodiesterase inhibitors on adenosine-receptor mediated decrease in lipolysis and cyclic AMP accumulation in rat fat cells. Fredholm BB, Lindgren E.
  2. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1986 Aug;22(2):177-82. Comparative pharmacokinetics of caffeine and its primary demethylated metabolites paraxanthine, theobromine and theophylline in man. Lelo A, Birkett DJ, Robson RA, Miners JO.
  3. Eur J Pharmacol. 1990 Jan 10;175(2):203-5. caffeine inhibits forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in rat brain. Mante S, Minneman KP.
  4. Food Chem Toxicol. 1984 May;22(5):365-9. Comparative toxicities of dietary caffeine and theobromine in the rat. Gans JH.
  5. Food Chem Toxicol. 2001 Jul;39(7):667-80. Uncertainty factors for chemical risk assessment: interspecies differences in the in vivo pharmacokinetics and metabolism of human CYP1A2 substrates. Walton K, Dorne JL, Renwick AG.
  6. Pol J Pharmacol. 2001 Nov-Dec;53(6):615-21. effects of phenothiazine neuroleptics on the rate of caffeine demethylation and hydroxylation in the rat liver. Daniel WA, Syrek M, Rylko Z, Kot M.
  7. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1994 Jun;115(1-2):1-8. discriminative stimulus and subjective effects of theobromine and caffeine in humans. Mumford GK, Evans SM, Kaminski BJ, Preston KL, Sannerud CA, Silverman K, Griffiths RR.