Chocolate

From Chempedia

Chocolate comes from cocoa beans, which can be found on the cacao tree. Cacao contains the chemical Theobromine, which has a positive affect on humans and a negative effect on animals. Chocolate has been around for centuries with use dating back to the Mayan civilization. It was used for the same things in the past as it is today. (2)

Chocolate as a Stimulant

Chocolate contains the stimulant, Theobromine. Theobromine is a chemical that comes from the same variety of methylxanthine alkaloids as caffeine. Theobromine is a milder stimulant that lasts longer than caffeine and has a mood improving affect. The effects that Theobromine has on the human mind and body causes chocolate to be considered an aphrodisiac. Theobromine is found in cocoa, one of the main ingredients in chocolate. The chemical formula of Theobromine is C₇H₈N₄O_2.The chemical structure of Theobromine is shown in the diagrams. (5)(6)

(5) (6)

Production of Chocolate

Chocolate comes from cocoa beans, which can be found on the cacao tree. Cacao trees grow in areas where the temperature ranges from 64-89 degrees Fahrenheit and require plenty of moisture, typically the tropical rainforest. (2) To make chocolate, manufacturers first harvest the ripe pods off the tree that contain the beans. The beans are then fermented, dried, and ground into a liquor. There are two types of chocolate made with this liquor, each made differently. Dark chocolate is made by combining cocoa butter, sugar, and vanilla. (4) Milk chocolate is made like dark chocolate with the addition of milk. These different types of chocolate affect the human body in different ways than animals. (2)

Effects of Chocolate on the Human Body

Chocolate has many different benefits and drawbacks on the human body. Dark chocolate has been found to help people metabolize sugar, which can be used as a treatment for diabetes. Dark chocolate can also help improve your cardiovascular health when eaten in proper amounts. Dark chocolate is also capable of lowering the blood pressure of middle aged people with hypertension disorder. Eating chocolate gives the human body a boost in energy and spirit. This energy boost is normally mild and only last for the short term. The drawback of eating chocolate is the fact that it is very high in fat content. Any of the energy that was not used after eating the chocolate will be stored in your body as fat. It is recommended that people who eat dark chocolate for the medical benefits eat only a moderate amount and make sure to cut the calories from other foods that are similar that would have been consumed. (2)

Effects of Chocolate on Animals

Chocolate is a treat for humans but in animals it is a toxic substance. Chocolate affects the organ systems of animals directly. Chocolate toxicosis (poisoning) is caused by the ingestion of Theobromine alkaloids. Theobromine is the primary toxic compound in chocolate. Theobromine effects the animal body as a central nervous system stimulant, a cardiovascular stimulant, it increases blood pressure, constrict blood vessels and can also induce nausea and vomiting. Dogs are the most common animal that has chocolate toxicosis. Although, cats, birds, rodents and reptiles have also been affected. Depending on the size of the animal and the type of chocolate (different concentrations of cocoa) chocolate can be very poisonous or have no effect at all. To put things in perspective, a moderate amount like 1.5 ounces for an average dog would be poisonous. The symptoms for chocolate poisoning in animals may show in less than 12 hours. Signs of chocolate toxicosis are vomiting and diarrhea. Nervous system stimulation leads to hyperactivity, tremors, seizures, and muscle spasms. In terms of the cardiovascular system, the heart rate increases rapidly and is irregular which may lead to excitement, nervousness, and trembling. Heart failure, weakness, coma and death can happen with chocolate toxicosis upon ingestion, lasting up to 36 hours. Chocolate isn’t harmful to humans because they have enzymes that can break down and excrete Theobromine much more efficiently than animals can. The half life of Theobromine in the dog is approximately 17.5 hours, whereas the human body could break this down in a much shorter period. (1) When comparing the effects of chocolate on humans and a certain animal group it is clear that there are great differences. For humans, the effects of chocolate are quite beneficial, when taken in the right amounts; while for animals; almost any chocolate could lead to a disastrous end. This can be seen by the positive effects chocolate has on the human body systems and the negative effects on some animals’ body systems. (1)

History of Chocolate

Today we tend to think of Chocolate as a sweet candy created in relatively recent times. However, chocolate dates backs to the time of the ancient Mesoamerican people known as the Maya. Mayans used chocolate not only for food, but for specific social and religious purposes as well. These people were the first to grow and harvest the seeds of the cacao tree, where they then fermented, roasted and ground the seeds in to a paste. They would then mix this paste with water, chile peppers, cornmeal, and other ingredients to create both a frothy and spicy drink. Chocolate also played an important role in the social and religious lives of the Mesoamerican Peoples. The Maya believed that one of the most sacred offerings was that of blood. Images have been discovered depicting Mayan priests dripping a "blood offering" into cacao pods. Centuries later, when the Aztecs had conquered most of Central America and present day Mexico cacao plant were used as a valuable form of currency. (3)

Researched and written by: Aaron Cram, Emily Copeland, Alex Brakefield, Matt Christenson, and Tiffany Chan

Footnotes

(1) Adams BVSc, Dr Julia . "Petalia A World of Petcare." Chocolate Toxicity In Animals. Petalia. 26 Sept. 2005 <http://www.petalia.com.au/Templates/StoryTemplate_Process.cfm?specie=Small_Pets&story_no=1390>.

(2) "Chocolate." Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2005. Microsoft Corporation. 26 Sept. 2005 <http://encarta.msn.com>.

(3) Singleton, Kimberly. "Chocolate's history at a glance." History of Chocolate, 2003. The Field Museum, Chicago Il 26 Sept. 2005 <http://www.fieldmuseum.org/chocolate/history.html >.

(4) "Sustaining the Cocoa Supply." Cocoapro. Mars, Inc. 26 Sept. 2005 <http://www.cocoapro.com/cnhy/world_choc/wc201.jsp>.

(5) "Theobromine." Wikipedia. 8 Oct. 2005. 10 Oct. 2005 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theobromine>.

(6) "Thebromine." University of Oxford Dept of Chemistry. 07 Nov. 2005 <http://www.chem.ox.ac.uk/mom/chocolate/Theobromine.html>.