Chocolate, commonly eaten as a dessert and delicacy, derives from the cacao bean. Chocolate contains several stimulant compounds, most notably including caffeine and theobromine. Both chemicals exert a stimulant effect on the central nervous system and cardiovascular system and may cause side effects when consumed in excessive amounts.
Caffeine Content
Caffeine is the primary stimulant found in chocolate and, according to MayoClinic.com, it is responsible for most of the side effects associated with the dessert. The March of Dimes reports that chocolate products contain varying levels of caffeine. Dark chocolate contains the highest amount, at 30 mg per serving, while milk chocolate supplies 11 mg. Chocolate milk and hot cocoa provide fewer than 12 mg of caffeine per 8-oz. serving, on average.
Theobromine Content
Theobromine is a stimulant found almost exclusively in chocolate. Chocolate's theobromine content varies tremendously depending on the type of chocolate. According to The Hershey Company, a single milk chocolate bar contains about 74 mg of theobromine, while Hershey's Special Dark contains 184 mg of the stimulant per serving. Although theobromine is a very powerful stimulant for some animals -- for dogs it can be fatal -- Hershey's reports that even high levels of theobromine are unlikely to affect human mood or attention span.
Potential Dangers
Caffeine and theobromine in chocolate can both be dangerous when consumed in massive quantities. However, it would take very large amounts of chocolate to supply high enough levels of either compound to adversely affect your health or mood. According to Santa Cruz Biotechnology's material safety data sheet, large doses of isolated theobromine can be poisonous, but poisoning from food sources is exceedingly rare. MayoClinic.com warns that caffeine in chocolate may be harmful when ingested in excessive quantities and that people who are hypersensitive to caffeine should generally avoid it.
Prevention
While the stimulants in chocolate are unlikely to be harmful when consumed by healthy adults, some individuals should exercise caution regarding the consumption of chocolate. MayoClinic.com specifically advises pregnant women, people with cardiovascular disease and people who are overweight to limit their intake of chocolate. People who are allergic to chocolate or any of its constituent compounds should avoid it entirely. When in doubt, always defer to the judgment of a qualified doctor or nutritionist when determining the appropriate components of a safe and healthy diet.
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