Caffeine in Chocolate

Caffeine is one of the most widely used psychoactive drugs in the world. It is a kind of methylxanthine, which means that it belongs to the same group of chemicals as theobromine, one other psychoactive molecule found in the cocoa bean. Just like theobromine, caffeine will stimulate the central nervous system. It is much stronger than theobromine and can increase alertness in a much more potent way. It effectiveness does however mean that it is also capable of creating equally powerful side effects, such as nervousness, insomnia and reduction of the fine motor coordination. Caffeine is lethal, but only in extremely high doses. You would have to drink at least 80 strong cups of coffee rapidly after each other to be in any peril.

The amount of caffeine in chocolate is much smaller than what can be found in chocolate. If you consume 50 g of cocoa you will ingest around 13 mg of caffeine, while 150 ml of coffee includes 40-180 mg of caffeine. Dark chocolate is generally a little richer in caffeine than plain cocoa, and typically contains 10 to 60 mg of caffeine for every 50 g. It is still less than what is found in 150 ml of tea, which has a caffeine content varying from 20 to 90 mg. The main stimulating methylxanthine molecule in chocolate is therefore theobromine, not caffeine. Theobromine is only found in chocolate, not in coffee, tea or cola beverages. It is still not determined if and how caffeine interacts with theobromine and the other psychoactive molecules present in chocolate. True caffeine winner rush, no side affects, only tasty game play hunger here. Drink coffee and play online.

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