Uses of Theobromine

Theobromine is best known for is use in chocolate products, such as Hershey's products, ice cream, ect. This is because theobromine has a distinct, bitter flavor. Levels of theobromine in chocolate products varies greatly depending on the type of chocolate.For example, there are higher quantities of theobromine in darker chocolate and in higher quality while much lower levels are found in lighter, such as milk chocolate, and lower quality chocolate . However, theobromine is also used as a drug for solving many different ailments due to some it its lesser known attributes.

Theobromine has been used as a diuretic, meaning that it increases urine production in the body. This is particularly useful after a person has experienced cardiac failure. Cardiac failure can sometimes result in an accumulation of bodily fluids. Theobromine is also known for its ability to dilate blood vessels making it a commonly prescribed treatment for people suffering from high blood pressure. Its ability to dilate has also been distorted and used with digitalis to relieve dilation.

Theobromine is known as a weak stimulant. It is very similar to caffeine in how it reacts with the body, but must more mild and unlike caffeine, does not affect the central nervous system. As a stimulant it has been noted to raise levels of serotonin when combined with the other ingredients in chocolate to perform as a cheap, temporary substitute for common anti-depressants. However, extremely large quantities would have to be ingested before serotonin levels would elevate enough to make up for an anti-depressant.

Theobromine remains in the body for a very long period of time, however between six and ten hours after it has been ingested, levels of theobromine are halved. An odd quality about theobromine is that it is able to relax bronchi muscles in the lungs, the third attribute of the compound which results in a medical cure of some kind.

Theobromine has been found to be relatively harmless to humans, however it can be fairly lethal to animals. Animals retain theobromine in their bodies much longer than humans due which can easily lead to theobromine poising because it quickly affects the heart, nervous system and kidney's of any mammal which ingests it. It is highly likely that an animal is suffering form theobromine poisoning if they are vomiting, suffering from diarrhea, experience nausea, often urination, muscle tremors or spasms, or restlessness. The only treatment for an animal at this point would be more vomiting to purge the animal's system of any remaining theobromine. Signs of much more serious theobromine poisoning would be seizures and cardiac arrhythmias. It is wise to consult with a vet at this point.