Theobromine is a bitter alkaloid of the methylxanthine family, which also includes the similar compounds theophylline and caffeine. Despite its name, the compound contains no bromine — theobromine is derived from Theobroma, the genus of the cacao tree, which is composed of the Greek roots theo ("God") and broma ("food"), meaning "food of the gods", with the suffix -ine given to alkaloids and other basic nitrogen-containing compounds.

It is the primary alkaloid found in cocoa and chocolate, and is one of the causes for chocolate's mood-elevating effects. The amount found in chocolate is small enough that chocolate can be safely consumed by humans in large quantities, but animals that metabolize theobromine more slowly, such as cats and dogs, can easily consume enough chocolate to cause chocolate poisoning.

Theobromine is a stimulant frequently confused with caffeine. Theobromine has very different effects on the human body from caffeine; it is a mild, lasting stimulant with a mood improving effect, whereas caffeine has a strong, immediate effect and increases stress.

In medicine, it is used as a diuretic, vasodilator, and myocardial stimulant. There is a possible association between prostate cancer and theobromine.

Scientists have recently discovered that theobromine has an antitussive effect superior to codeine by suppressing vagus nerve activity.Usmani OS, Belvisi MG, Patel HJ, Crispino N, Birrell MA, Korbonits M, Korbonits D, Barnes PJ. Theobromine inhibits sensory nerve activation and cough. FASEB J. 2005;19:231-3. PMID 15548587.

Theobromine is known to induce gene mutations in lower eukaryotes and bacteria. At the time of a 1997 report by the IARC, mutations had not been found in higher eukaryotes, such as humans.International Agency for Research on Cancer, Theobromine. (November 17, 1997) Theobromine is used as an experimental teratogen in mice and rabbits.B. Rambali, I. Van Andel, E. Schenk, G. Wolterink, G. van de Werken, H. Stevenson, W. Vleeming, The contribution of cocoa additive to cigarette smoking addiction. (RIVM report 650270002/2002) (PDF)

Theobromine is a contributing factor in acid reflux because it relaxes the esophageal sphincter muscle, allowing stomach acid access to the esophagus.

Other names

• Riddospas
• Riddovydrin
• Santheose
• Seominal
• Theobrominum
• Theoguardenal
• Theominal
• Théoxalvose

Reference