Types of Products |
Polyphenols |
Theobromine |
Caffeine
Theobromine
Theobromine is a methylxanthine, in the same class of compounds as caffeine and theophylline. All of these methylxanthines occur naturally in many plants found throughout the world including the cocoa, tea and coffee plants. Theobromine is found primarily in cocoa beans, caffeine in coffee and tea, and theophylline in tea.
Since theobromine occurs naturally in cocoa beans, it is present in all chocolate products. The amount of theobromine in the finished product depends on the type of chocolate and the serving size. Milk chocolate contains less theobromine than semi-sweet or dark chocolate.
Unlike caffeine, theobromine does not stimulate the central nervous system. But it can have a mild diuretic action (increases urine production) similar to caffeine.
Dogs metabolize theobromine very slowly. As a result, theobromine can have a serious effect on the animal's heart, kidneys and central nervous system. It carries the same risk as does a dog's consumption of other common household items such as coffee, tea, cola beverages and certain houseplants.
Theobromine Content Of products
| Source |
Serving |
Theobromine 1 |
| HERSHEY'S Confectionery products |
| HERSHEY'S COOKIES 'N' CRÉME Candy Bar |
1.55 oz (43g) |
20mg |
| KIT KAT Wafer Bar |
1.5 oz (42g) |
39mg |
| HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Chocolate |
9 pieces (41g) |
74mg |
| HERSHEY'S Milk Chocolate Bar |
1.55 oz (43g) |
74mg |
| HERSHEY'S Chocolate Bar with Almonds |
1.45 oz (41g) |
61mg |
| MR. GOODBAR Chocolate Bar |
1.75 oz (49g) |
58mg |
| REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups |
1.6 oz (45g) |
30mg |
| REESE'S PIECES Candy |
1.63 oz (46g) |
0mg |
| ROLO Caramels in Milk Chocolate |
7 pieces (42g) |
25mg |
| SKOR Toffee Bar |
1.4 oz (39g) |
22mg |
| HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Chocolate Bar |
1.45 oz (41g) |
184mg |
| HERSHEY'S grocery products |
| HERSHEY'S Chocolate Syrup |
2 Tbsp (39g) |
70mg |
| HERSHEY'S WHOPPERS Chocolate Malt Syrup |
2 Tbsp (39g) |
47mg |
| HERSHEY'S Lite Syrup |
2 Tbsp (39g) |
61mg |
| HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE SHOPPE Topping |
2 Tbsp (37g) |
45mg |
| HERSHEY'S Chocolate Milk |
1 cup (240ml) |
36-45mg |
| HERSHEY'S Cocoa |
1 Tbsp (5g) |
108mg |
| HERSHEY'S GOODNIGHT HUGS Hot Cocoa Mixes |
1 envelope (25g) |
19mg |
| HERSHEY'S GOODNIGHT KISSES Hot Cocoa Mixes |
1 envelope (25g) |
37mg |
| HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Baking Bar |
1 Tbsp (15g) |
58mg |
| HERSHEY'S Unsweetened Baking Chocolate |
1/2 bar (14g) |
161mg |
- References
- 1 The amount of theobromine varies due to growing conditions and cocoa bean variety. Hershey's flavors and quality are maintained with cocoa beans purchased from various cocoa producing countries.
