What makes chocolate toxic, anyway?
Chocolate is made from the fruit (beans) of the cacao tree. Theobromine,
a component of chocolate, is a toxic compound in chocolate. Caffeine is
also present in chocolate and a toxic component, but in much smaller
amounts than Theobromine. Both Theobromine and Caffeine are members of a
drug class called
Methylxanines.
Theobromine and caffeine
effects on the body:
- Central
Nervous System (CNS) stimulant
- Cardiovascular
stimulant
- Increase
blood pressure (mild)
- Nausea
and vomiting
Why isn't chocolate toxic to humans?
Humans can break down and excrete Theobromine much more efficiently than
dogs. The half life of Theobromine in the dog is long; approximately
17.5 hours.