See also : [[Chocolate]]
==Special Precautions of Theobromine==
* there There is some evidence that consumption of theobromine by pregnant women may have significant adverse effects on the development of the fetus. Specifically, a study by the National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases in Poland found that laboratory animals that ingested large amounts of theobromine and other methyloxanthines showed impaired development of new blood vessels. In addition, the arms and legs of the offspring were stunted in size, and the animals showed several irregularities in immune system function.
*In addition, theobromine is the chemical that makes chocolate potentially fatal to dogs who are unable to break down the chemical in the liver. This condition, although much rarer, can also occur in predisposed humans. In general, the levels of the methylxanthines in even high quality chocolates are unlikely to cause poisoning in people. Unfortunately, however, supplements containing 20 to 30 times the amount of these chemicals are now commercially available. At these levels, even healthy individuals risk a reaction.
*The source of theobromine also determines its overall benefit to an individual’s health. The high levels of fat and refined sugar in milk chocolate likely overshadow any benefit that the chemical may have on insulin levels and blood pressure. Dark chocolate, however, often contains higher levels of the chemical and lower levels of sugars. In that case, the benefits may balance just enough to allow guilt-free snacking.
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==Benefits and uses of Theobromine are==
* as a vasodilator (a blood vessel widener)