Chocolate

Caffeine in Chocolate - Should You be Concerned?

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. TheobromineрЂ™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 treeрЂ™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?)В  The name theobromine comes from Theobroma which is a classification of the cacao tree. Even though there are similarities to caffeine, itрЂ™s effect on our central nervous system is substantially less. The effects of theobromine have contributed to the belief that chocolates are aphrodisiacs.В  InВ  addition it is known to increase heartbeat and dilate blood vessels which helps reduce blood pressure. So, while there is some caffeine, it is less than coffee.В  A brewed cup of coffee ranges between 80-135 mg and espresso has about 100 mg.В  But exactly how do yourВ gourmet chocolates compare?В  Well, that definitely depends upon which one of the chocolate flavors you prefer!В  The following is a table of caffeine and theobromine contents found in chocolates: CaffeineВ В В В В В В В В  Theobromine *White chocolate рЂ“ 3 ounce bar or 1 cup chipsВ  В В В В В В В В В В В  0.0 mgВ В В В В В В В В В В В  0.0 mg *Baking chocolate, unsweetened рЂ“ 1 ounceВ В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В  57.120 mgВ В В В В В  346.360 mg *Semi-sweet chocolate, chocolate chips рЂ“ 1 ounceВ В В В В  17.577 mgВ В В В В В  137.781 mg *Milk chocolate рЂ“ 1.55 ounce barВ В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В 1.440 mgВ В В В В В  74.360 mg *Cocoa mix рЂ“ 1 envelope/3 heaping tspВ В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В  5.040 mgВ В В В В В В В  169.680 mg *Cocoa powder, unsweetened рЂ“ 1 tbspВ В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В  12.420 mgВ В В В В В  111.078 mg Therefore, while your gourmet chocolates contain a small amount of caffeine, the stimulating effect we get from eating them isnрЂ™t caffeine-based. Instead, that feel good, natural high is obtained from the chemicals found in chocolates. Therefore this is certainly stimulating news for those that enjoy the delicious taste of their chocolates as well as the delicious feelings that come along with them!

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