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Theobromine

Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol, and Addictive Behavior | 2001 | | Copyright

THEOBROMINE

This Alkaloid belongs to the class of drugs called methylxanthines; it is similar to theophylline and to Caffeine. Theobromine (3, 7-dimethylxanthine), however, is somewhat weaker than these two compounds and currently has almost no practical use in medicine.

Theobromine is found in the seeds of the plant Theobroma cacao, which is the well-known source of Chocolate and cocoa. The cacao seeds have caffeine too (as does Tea, which contains small amounts of theobromine and theophylline); caffeine has powerful stimulant effects on the brain, whereas theobromine has very little (although popular articles alleged for years that theobromine makes one feel "happy"). High doses of theobromine can, however, affect several physiological functions in the body, such as increasing the formation of urine in the kidney.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Serafin, W. E. (1996). Drugs used in the treatment of asthma. In J. G. Hardman et al. (Eds.), The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed. (pp. 659-682). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Michael J. Kuhar

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KUHAR, MICHAEL J.. "Theobromine." Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol, and Addictive Behavior. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

KUHAR, MICHAEL J.. "Theobromine." Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol, and Addictive Behavior. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3403100444.html

KUHAR, MICHAEL J.. "Theobromine." Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol, and Addictive Behavior. 2001. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3403100444.html

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theobromine

A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition | 2005 | | Copyright

theobromine An alkaloid found in cocoa, chemically related to caffeine, and with similar effects. Theobromine is 3,7‐dimethylxanthine; caffeine is trimethylxanthine.

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DAVID A. BENDER. "theobromine." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAVID A. BENDER. "theobromine." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-theobromine.html

DAVID A. BENDER. "theobromine." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-theobromine.html

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theobromine

A Dictionary of Nursing | 2008 | Copyright

theobromine (thi-ŏ-broh-meen) n. an alkaloid, occurring in cocoa, coffee, and tea, that has a weak diuretic action and dilates coronary and other arteries.

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"theobromine." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"theobromine." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-theobromine.html

"theobromine." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-theobromine.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Caffeine and theobromine intakes of children: results from CSFII 1994-96,... Magazine article from: Family Economics and Nutrition Review; 3/22/2001
	Eat chocolate to cure your cough.(Features) Newspaper article from: The Mirror (London, England); 1/20/2011
	Chocolate good for you and your cough.(News) Newspaper article from: Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales); 11/23/2004