As you munch on a delicious chocolate, what may come as a little surprise is theobromine. If you have ever felt happy after eating chocolate, this component likely played a role in that feeling. A natural compound that boosts mood, supports heart health, and enhances skin vitality, it is a natural compound mostly found in dark chocolate. Caffeine’s close cousin, this one gives you a mild energy boost without an overdose. Besides lifting your mood, it is also good for your heart, skin, and even helps with focus.
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Belonging to the methylxanthine class, theobromine is a natural alkaloid found primarily in cocoa beans, as well as in dark chocolate, and some other plants. Quite like the caffeine effect, theobromine may also act as a mild stimulant.
Top Food Sources Of Theobromine
A powerful component, theobromine, is found in the following food ingredients:
- Cocoa products, especially dark chocolate and cocoa powder
- Tea leaves
- Yerba mate
- Guarana
- Kola nuts
- Cacao nibs and beans
5 Health Benefits Of Theobromine
Since Theobromine provides many health benefits, indulging in a few bites of chocolate should not make you feel guilty. Check out some of its health benefits:
Acts As A Mild Stimulant
It increases alertness and mood without the jittery effects often caused by caffeine.
Improves Heart Health
Theobromine may help dilate blood vessels, improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure.
Supports Respiratory Health
It has bronchodilator properties, helping open airways and is thus potentially beneficial for asthma or breathing issues.
Effective Mood Enhancer
Theobromine promotes the release of feel-good chemicals like serotonin, supporting a better mood and stress relief.
Reduces Oxidative Stress
Theobromine is imbued with antioxidants that help fight free radicals, decreasing oxidative stress and mitigating mild to chronic inflammation.
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Besides stupendous health benefits, there is a lot more theobromine offers. Curious about the amazing skin benefits of this powerhouse ingredient? Dive into the infographic to explore them all..jpg)
(This content is reviewed by Kalyani Krishna, Chief Content Editor)
Author Profile, Preeti Sharma
Preeti Sharma has a Master's in Electronic Media and Mass Communication and certification in short-term writing from Florida. With close to a decade of experience, she specializes in crafting engaging blogs on beauty, veterinary care, and healthy cooking. Preeti is proficient in video editing tools and produces captivating and informative content across multiple platforms.
References:
Theobromine
Coffee, Tea, Mate, Methylxanthines and Methylglyoxal
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507032/
Psychopharmacology of theobromine in healthy volunteers
Matthew J Baggott
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3672386/
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