Chocolate and Caffiene - Part II

Last time we started our discussion about chocolate and caffiene, after a couple of friends told me they'd heard that chocolate had caffiene.

In my scholarly way, I told them that chocolate's theobromine is more like a precursor to caffiene, but that's not actually accurate either.

I also said that the differences between caffiene and theobromine is like two different kinds of races - one a sprint, one a marathon.

This time, we'll get into a little bit more detail. So...let's get technical.

In an article entitled "Chemistry of Theobromine: Chocolate's Caffiene Relative" published on About.com, they state "Theobromine belongs to a class of alkaloid molecules knowns as methylxantines. Methylxanthines naturally occur in as many as 60 different plant species and include caffeine (the primary methylxanthine in coffee) and theophylline (the primary methylxanthine in tea)."

Let's look at some caffeine levels in some popular drinks. Information gathered is from a table put together by Clark Goble Categories.

Coming at #1 is 8 oz. of drip coffee with 145 mg or 18.13 mg/oz.

#2 - 8 oz. of brewed coffee at 107.5 mg or 13.44 mg/oz.

Others include: 8 oz. of brewed tea at 47 mg or 5.88 mg/oz.; Coca Cola Classic - 12 oz. serving at 34.5 mg or 2.83 mg/oz.

I could list more but, you can access this information online.

Next time: why your dog should NEVER eat chocolate!

Chocolate and Caffiene - Part I

Recently, I had a couple of friends say they wouldn't eat chocolate in the evening because of the caffiene in it.

I snickered and said, "But there's no caffiene in chocolate!"

"There isn't?" My friend replied. A couple more friends joined in the conversation.

"I'd always heard there was!" "Yeah, I heard that too!" They said.

I said, "Theobromine is like a precursor to caffiene, but it is not caffiene!"

If you look at the chemical make-up of a caffiene molecule and a theobromine molecule, they are very similar, and they are both classified as alkaloids which have a somewhat 'stimulating' effect on the body, but the way they do that is different.

Think of the two like a race. One, caffiene, is a sprint...it's quick, and it's over. Theobromine's effect is more like a marathon - what you need over a longer period of time.

In an article posted on About.com Chemistry, "Different types of chocolate contain different amounts of theobromine. In general, theobromine levels are higher in dark chocolate (approximately 10 g/kg) than in milk chocolates (1-5 g/kg). Higher quality chocolate tends to contain more theobromine than lower quality chocolate."

Next time...more particulars...but just remember - there is no caffiene in chocolate! So don't worry about it!

Chocolate for the Baby!!

Expectant mothers - you can know that eating chocolate while pregnant is GOOD for BABY!!

In a study completed in Finland last fall, over 300 women were given varying amounts of chocolate while expecting children. The study then followed these women after the babies were born for six months.

In an article entitled "Chocolate for a Happy Baby" published online at http://www.westender.com/, the study found that expectant mothers who ate chocolate to soothe stress were more likely to have happier babies.

Isn't that a riot!?

The article states "The babies born to women who had been eating chocolate daily during pregnancy were more active and 'positively reactive' - a measure that encompasses traits such as smiling and laughter. The babies of stressed women who had regularly consumed chocolate showed less fear of new situations than babies of stressed women who abstained."

Scientists wishing to downplay the results said "while they could not rule out other factors, they speculated that the results could be linked to chocolate consumption...chemicals in chocolate could be passed from mothers to babies in the womb."

So...expectant mothers who love chocolate - don't be afraid to nibble on some while you're expecting! Your baby could be happier, which will bring you even more happiness!

What do you think? Is this hogwash? Post a comment and let me know.

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