Chocolates contain caffeine, but the amount contained depends on the variety and the serving size. However, the stimulating effect we get from eating chocolates, which is similar to drinking coffee, is not caffeine. The main ingredient in chocolates that gives us a natural high is called theobromine. It is known to have a longer effect on the nervous system compared to coffee. Promotes blood flow and brain activity. This is the reason why chocolates are lethal to animals because once they have eaten chocolates, their nervous system goes haywire. On the other hand, humans can produce chemicals that work well with those found in chocolates.
Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and is sometimes referred to as theine when found in teas. It is a xanthine alkaloid found in the leaves and beans of the coffee tree. Caffeine is found in small doses in cocoa and cola nuts, which is an ingredient in cola drinks. It is also an effective natural pesticide on plants that paralyzes and kills many insects. Chocolates, which are made from cocoa beans, contain small amounts of caffeine but do not provide the same effects compared to the caffeine found in coffee. Chocolate is also considered a stimulant due to its theophylline and theobromine content.
Theobromine is a bitter alkaloid found in the cocoa plant from which chocolates are made. It is also called xantheose and belongs to the methylxanthine class of chemical compounds similar to theophylline and caffeine. The name theobromine comes from Theobroma, which is a classification of the cacao tree. Although it is considered to be similar to caffeine, it has less of an effect on our central nervous system. Theobromine is known to contribute to the belief that chocolates are an aphrodisiac and is known to increase heartbeat and dilate blood vessels, helping to lower blood pressure. However, theobromine, which can be safely consumed by humans, is deadly to animals. Small dogs can be poisoned if they are fed chocolates as small as 50 grams of chocolate.
The following is a table of caffeine and theobromine content found in chocolates:
Caffeine Theobromine
- White chocolate 3 oz.bar or 1c, chips 0.0mg 0.0mg
- Sugar Free Baking Chocolate- 1 oz. 57.12mg 346.36mg
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate/Chocolate Chips- 1oz.17.57 mg 137.78 mg
- Milk Chocolate – 1.55 oz bar 11,440 mg 74,360 mg
- Cocoa Mix – 1 sachet/3 rounded teaspoons 5.040mg 169.68mg
- Cocoa powder, unsweetened – 1 tablespoon 2,420mg 111,078mg
All of the chocolate favorites contain caffeine, which is less than the average American cup of coffee at 75 mg. per cup So while chocolates do contain a small amount of caffeine, the stimulant effect we get from eating them is not based on caffeine. Instead, it’s a natural high from a special chemical found in chocolates. This is certainly exciting news for anyone who feels good about eating chocolate.