theobromine

American  

[thee-uh-broh-meen, -min] / ˌθi əˈbroʊ min, -mɪn /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a white, crystalline, water-insoluble, poisonous powder, C 7 H 8 N 4 O 2 , an isomer of theophylline and lower homologue of caffeine, occurring in tea and obtained from the cacao bean: used chiefly as a diuretic, myocardial stimulant, and vasodilator.

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theobromine British  

/ -mɪn, ˌθiːəʊˈbrəʊmiːn /

noun

1. a white crystalline slightly water-soluble alkaloid that occurs in many plants, such as tea and cacao: formerly used to treat asthma. Formula: C 7 H 8 N 4 O 2 See also xanthine

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theobromine Scientific  

/ thē′ō-brō′mēn′ /

1. A bitter, colorless alkaloid that occurs in the cacao bean, cola nuts, and tea. It is found in chocolate products and used in medicine as a diuretic, vasodilator, and myocardial stimulant. Theobromine is a xanthine and similar in structure to caffeine and theophylline. Chemical formula: C ₇ H ₈ N ₄ O ₂ .

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Etymology

Origin of theobromine

1835–45; < New Latin Theobrom ( a ) genus of trees typified by cacao (< Greek theo- theo- + brôma food) + -ine ²

Compare meaning

How does theobromine compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• theobromine vs. caffeine

Example Sentences

Their results suggested that theobromine was the only compound with this specific association.

From Science Daily • Dec. 12, 2025

The lack of theobromine also means that unlike chocolate, carob is not toxic to dogs and cats.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 8, 2024

Tea and chocolate also contain caffeine, which theobromine is related to as part of the purine family of chemicals.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2024

Cocoa bean mulch, which contains caffeine and theobromine, can cause vomiting and diarrhea, among other issues.

From Washington Post • May 4, 2022

The active principle of tea is called theine; that of coffee, caffeine, and of cocoa, theobromine.

From A Practical Physiology by Blaisdell, Albert F.