Theobromine itself is considered to be a stimulant. Its effect is caffeine-like and similar to tea. Although theobromine itself does not have caffeine, the stimulation of the heart and nervous system that it causes acts like a caffeine. (The increase in organic activity caused by Theobromine in humans can be major and damaging to dogs, hence why dogs should not eat chocolate.)
Chocolate itself, in its entirety, is believed to contain caffeine. However there is recent speculation that the caffeine-like effects of chocolate may come strictly from chocolate’s theobromine and phenyethylamine, a natural amphetamine linked with romance. Combine these ingredients may produce an aphrodisiac effect. Theobromine stimulates the nervous and cardiac systems and phenyethylamine acts as an antidepressant. However, on its own theobromine is a relaxant, a diuretic. Its pharmacological use has lowered blood pressure and has dialated blood vessels.
To test the alkaloid, theobromine has been orally fed to rats to prove the effects on the sexual organs. The research of a study completed in 1992 demonstrated that pure theobromine caused greater sperm count and testicular swelling. Whereas, theobromine once mixed with cacao extract (then more closely related to chocolate) did not have the strength to produce the same type of growth. Although the test did show that the chocolate-like dosage produced irregularities in high doses, whether or not the theobromine was in fact producing healthy sperm count was not mentioned.
Theobroma cacao may have given the Aztecs their strength to raise an empire however theobromine alone could not. While considered to be a naturally occurring aphrodisiac, theobromine could not produce the effects without the other elements of cacao. The polyphenols of cacao act as antioxidants which protect the body’s health. They protect against free radicals as does theobromine. The polyphenols found in cacao and theobromine produce antioxidant effects similar to much-touted oolong and green teas. Antioxidants cure bodies of irregular cells which can bring about disease. And though polyphenols and theobromine are not themselves antioxidants, they benefit circulation and cellular health all the same.
Processing cacao to make chocolate requires the addition of ingredients that diminish the effects of the polyphenols of the cacao bean. The potency of the original ingredient is dialed down by sugars and dairy to produce the different types of chocolate; the darker the chocolate the higher amount of theobromine and polyphenols. Dark chocolates do not have the strength of Montezuma’s virility drink but they are rich in theobromine and polyphenols which may produce the aphrodisiac effect sought. The effect of relaxation, of better circulation, of a strengthened nervous system- overall, improved function of the human body. Improving the harmony of our bodies will benefit their ability and use.
Resources:
http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Polyphenol-enriched-tea-may-double-cholesterol-excretion
http://www.chocolate.org/
http://www.chocolate.org/health/chocprescribe.html
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