Top 10 Chocolate Products Highest in Theobromine

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Top 10 Chocolate Products Highest in Theobromine

Theobromine is an alkaloid chemical primarily found in the cocoa plant, though also to a lesser extent in tea leaves and the cola nut. Cocoa and chocolate are the main foods high in theobromine.

Theobromine acts somewhat like caffeine in the body, and can be considered a stimulant.

Theobromine dilates blood vessels and causes increased urination, and as such, can be used to lower blood pressure. (2) Cocoa and chocolate are also very high in potassium, adding to their potential to help with hypertension (high blood pressure).

Healthy chocolate products high in theobromine include cocoa powder, baking chocolate, and dark chocolate. Less desirable sources include semisweet chocolate, chocolate candy, chocolate wafers, and hot chocolate mixes.

There is no set daily value or adequate intake for theobromine, however, 250mg is a good daily target for adults. An excess of 1000mg may lead to nervousness and headaches. (2,3) Also, avoid giving chocolate to dogs and cats. (4) See the warning section for more info.

Below are the top 10 chocolate products highest in theobromine.

Chocolates High in Theobromine

Thick dark chocolate squares melting1 Baking Chocolate (Unsweetened)
Theobromine
per 1oz Square
Theobromine
per 100g
Theobromine
per 200 Calories
376mg1297mg404mg
Thin dark chocolate squares2 Dark Chocolate (70-85% Cocoa)
Theobromine
per 1oz Square
Theobromine
per 100g
Theobromine
per 200 Calories
228mg802mg268mg
Two squares of dark chocolate3 Dark Chocolate (60-69% Cocoa)
Theobromine
per 1oz Square
Theobromine
per 100g
Theobromine
per 200 Calories
179mg632mg218mg
Chocolate candy bars stacked on each other4 Sweet Chocolate Candies
Theobromine
per 1.5oz Bar
Theobromine
per 100g
Theobromine
per 200 Calories
175mg426mg168mg
A cup of hot cocoa5 Hot Cocoa
Theobromine
per Cup
Theobromine
per 100g
Theobromine
per 200 Calories
170mg68mg177mg
Chocolate coffee beans6 Dark Chocolate Coated Coffee Beans
Theobromine
per oz(28 Beans)
Theobromine
per 100g
Theobromine
per 200 Calories
147mg368mg136mg
Cocoa Powder7 Cocoa Powder
Theobromine
per Tblsp
Theobromine
per 100g
Theobromine
per 200 Calories
142mg2634mg2395mg
Segment of a dark chocolate bar8 Dark Chocolate (45-59% Cocoa)
Theobromine
per 1oz Square
Theobromine
per 100g
Theobromine
per 200 Calories
140mg493mg181mg
Semi-sweet chocolate chips9 Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Theobromine
per 1oz Handful
Theobromine
per 100g
Theobromine
per 200 Calories
138mg486mg203mg
Stacks of chocolate wafers10 Chocolate Wafers
Theobromine
per Wafer
Theobromine
per 100g
Theobromine
per 200 Calories
21mg354mg164mg

Theobromine Poison Warning

  • 800-1500mg of theobromine in one dose may lead to sweating, trembling and severe headaches. (3)
  • Theobromine is toxic in dogs and cats and can lead to death. Avoid giving pets chocolate. (4)

About the Data

Data for the curated food lists comes from the USDA Food Data Central Repository.

You can check our data against the USDA by clicking the (Source) link at the bottom of each food listing.

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Data Sources and References

  1. U.S. Agricultural Research Service Food Data Central
  2. Differential contributions of theobromine and caffeine on mood, psychomotor performance and blood pressure.
  3. NIH Toxnet on Theobromine
  4. The British Medical Journal on Chocolate Poisoning.
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