Chocolate is a Valentine’s Day must-have and popular among people with a sweet tooth. Many also claim it lifts mood or even acts as an aphrodisiac, and we’ve all heard someone say it’s habit forming.
The compounds in chocolate that allegedly have positive effects come from the cacao bean, so the darker the chocolate, the more of these compounds it contains. Milk chocolate has less than dark chocolate, and white chocolate has nearly none because it includes no cocoa solids, only cocoa butter.
Does science back up the common claims about chocolate? To find the answers, we’re taking a look at the chemistry behind this treat.
Theobromine and Caffeine: Chocolate as a Pick-Me-Up
Coffee and chocolate both contain caffeine and theobromine.
Theobromine is an alkaloid, a family of compounds that many plants produce, including the cacao plant. Chocolate is the richest natural source of theobromine, but coffee and tea contain some of it too. Theobromine chemically resembles caffeine and has a similar stimulating effect on our brains. The combination of theobromine and caffeine found in chocolate is believed to create the small lift we feel after eating it. Although they have generally minor pleasant effects on people, these compounds make chocolate toxic to dogs and cats, so remember to keep your stash of Valentine’s Day treats out of the reach of your pets.
Antioxidants: Chocolate as a Health Food
Raw cacao beans contain many antioxidants, but is the same true for chocolate? Credit: Mikkel Houmoller.
CC BY-SA 4.0.
Claims about chocolate’s beneficial properties aren’t limited to effects on our brains. It’s also common to hear some chocolate lovers say it’s filled with antioxidants, which help prevent damage to cells. Raw cacao beans do have significant amounts of antioxidants such as epicatechin and gallic acid. Unfortunately, the process that cacao beans go through to become chocolate strips them of much of these compounds. A small amount of antioxidants remains, but it’s unclear whether this amount is enough to have any benefits. Some studies have suggested correlations between chocolate consumption and a lower risk of high blood pressure and insulin resistance. However, other more tightly controlled studies haven’t found that eating chocolate has these benefits.
Phenethylamine: Chocolate as an Aphrodisiac
Credit: iStock.
Some people say chocolate is popular on Valentine’s Day because it acts as an aphrodisiac. Chocolate does have significant amounts of a compound called phenethylamine that causes brain cells to release dopamine, a neurotransmitter with a feel-good effect. However, when we ingest phenethylamine, our bodies break it down before it can reach our brains, so it doesn’t actually influence our mood.
Craving Culprits
If these touted compounds don’t have strong effects on us, what is it that makes us crave chocolate? Most likely it’s a much more common compound, which is sugar—specifically the combination of sugar with chocolate’s high fat content. This combination activates the reward centers in our brains. But no matter the chemical specifics, chocolate is something we can enjoy in moderation. So treat yourself or someone else this Valentine’s Day.
FAQs
Four chemicals are known to be released by the brain when eating chocolate: endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin. Serotonin is commonly associated with happiness. People with depression or anxiety often have low levels of serotonin.
Does chocolate contain phenylethylamine? ›
Chocolate does have significant amounts of a compound called phenethylamine that causes brain cells to release dopamine, a neurotransmitter with a feel-good effect. However, when we ingest phenethylamine, our bodies break it down before it can reach our brains, so it doesn't actually influence our mood.
What is the food chemistry behind chocolate? ›
The main flavor compounds in chocolate are polyphenols, present in raw cocoa bean and going through various forms during production, and pyrazines formed during production, followed by aldehydes, ketones, and esters.
What are the two well known chemicals in chocolate? ›
Name two of the well-known chemicals in chocolate.
The two chemicals are caffeine and theobromine. Caffeine is present in small amounts, with theobromine present in slightly higher amounts than caffeine.
Does chocolate actually release dopamine? ›
For example, eating chocolate raises dopamine levels around 50 percent above your baseline. Alcohol increases dopamine levels by around 150 percent. Amphetamines (like meth) raise levels 1,000 percent. The amount of dopamine released can vary from person to person depending on factors like individual brain chemistry.
What are the neurological effects of chocolate? ›
When we eat chocolate, our brains make a chemical called serotonin. This chemical helps us feel good and happy. So, when we're feeling sad or anxious, chocolate can actually help us feel better. Chocolate has something called tryptophan, which is like a building block for serotonin.
What does theobromine do to humans? ›
For starters, it naturally lowers blood pressure. This, in turn, decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease. There's also some evidence theobromine may reduce “bad” cholesterol and improve “good” cholesterol. Additionally, the substance may improve blood flow throughout the body, further supporting the heart.
What are the bad chemicals in chocolate? ›
Because dark chocolate is a rich source of beneficial plant compounds called flavanols, it's often touted as a heart-healthy treat. However, many popular brands of dark chocolate contain potentially worrisome levels of lead and cadmium, according to a study by Consumer Reports published in December 2022.
What are the three main chemicals in chocolate? ›
Let's take a look at some of them:
- Theobromine. Theobromine (previously known as xantheose) is an alkaloid, belonging to the everyday chemistry of the plant world. ...
- Anandamide. ...
- Phenylethylamine (PEA) ...
- Sugar.
Cold, heat, humidity and light are the main enemies of chocolate, whether it's dark chocolate, milk chocolate or white chocolate. You must therefore always keep these conditions in mind to properly store your chocolate, whether it is in the form of tablets, chips or beans.
Cocoa powder contains several substances that can make it feel "addictive". However, theobromine is the primary compound found in cocoa. Also, dark chocolate contains higher amounts of these substances due to its higher cocoa content. Anandamide: Binds to receptors in the brain called the cannabinoid receptor.
What chemical do Americans put in chocolate? ›
Some American chocolate manufacturers add butyric acid during production to give the chocolate a longer shelf life. This can result in a sour or unpleasant taste for those who are sensitive to it or more accustomed to the taste of other types of chocolate, such as British chocolate.
Does chocolate produce the same chemical as love? ›
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
That could be the effects of phenylethylamine, a chemical which stimulates the brain's pleasure centres and which is released when we fall in love. And the food that contains the highest concentrations of phenylethylamine? Yep—chocolate. No wonder it's so popular on Valentine's Day.
Is chocolate a neurotoxin? ›
Theobromine primarily affects the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and respiratory system, as well as having a diuretic effect. The first signs of poisoning in dogs include vomiting, haematemesis, and polydipsia.
Is there a chemical in chocolate and brains? ›
Chocolate contains the chemical phenethylamine, which symbiotes live on. This chemical is also found in brains, which is why Venom want to eat those as well.
What does theobromine do in the brain? ›
Theobromine works as a phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor to increase intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). cAMP activates the cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB), which is involved in a large variety of brain processes, including the induction of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
Chocolate contains upwards of 800 chemical compounds, just a handful of which are explored in this infographic. See more chemistry infographics like this one in C&EN’s Periodic Graphics collection
. Click to enlarge 
Coffee and chocolate both contain caffeine and theobromine.
Raw cacao beans contain many antioxidants, but is the same true for chocolate? Credit: Mikkel Houmoller.
Credit: iStock.