Chocolates do contain caffeine, but the amount varies based upon the variety and serving size. However, the stimulating effect we get from eating chocolates, which some equate to the effects of drinking coffee, is not caffeine! Rather, it comes from an ingredient in chocolates that give us a natural high which is called theobromine. Theobromine’s effects are generally longer lasting on the nervous system compared to coffee. It promotes blood flow and brain activity. This is one of the reasons why chocolates are lethal to animals because of the effects on their nervous systems. On the other hand, humans can produce chemicals that work well with the ones found in chocolates.
Caffeine is known to stimulate the central nervous - it is a xanthine alkaloid found in the coffee tree’s leaves and beans. Caffeine is found in small doses in cacao and kola nut which is also an ingredient in making cola beverages. It has been found to be an effective natural pesticide in plants Chocolates, which are made from cacao beans, contain small amounts of caffeine but does 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 cacao 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. (Why do all chemical names have to be so complicated?) The name theobromine comes from Theobroma which is a classification of the cacao tree. Even though there are similarities to caffeine, it’s effect on our central nervous system is substantially less. The effects of theobromine have contributed to the belief that chocolates are aphrodisiacs. In addition it is known to increase heartbeat and dilate blood vessels which helps reduce blood pressure.
Source : articlesbase
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