title: Health benefits of methylxanthines in cacao and chocolate.
abstract: One may wonder why methylxanthines are so abundant in beverages used by humans for centuries, or in cola-drinks that have been heavily consumed since their appearance. It is likely that humans have stuck to any brew containing compounds with psychoactive properties, resulting in a better daily life, i.e., more efficient thinking, exploring, hunting, etc., however, without the serious side effects of drugs of abuse. The physiological effects of methylxanthines have been known for a long time and they are mainly mediated by the so-called adenosine receptors. Caffeine and theobromine are the most abundant methylxanthines in cacao and their physiological effects are notable. Their health-promoting benefits are so remarkable that chocolate is explored as a functional food. The consequences of adenosine receptor blockade by natural compounds present in cacao/chocolate are here reviewed. Palatability and health benefits of methylxanthines, in general, and theobromine, in particular, have further contributed to sustain one of the most innocuous and pleasant habits: chocolate consumption.
authors.affiliation: Cell and Molecular Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Neurosciences Division, Center for Applied Medical Research, Navarra University, Pamplona 31008, Spain. rfranco123@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: Ainhoa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oñatibia-Astibia
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martínez-Pinilla
mesh_terms: D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis*; D002099:Cacao / Q000737:chemistry*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002182:Candy / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D058915:Purinergic P1 Receptor Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013805:Theobromine / Q000494:pharmacology; D014970:Xanthines / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D058915:Purinergic P1 Receptor Antagonists; D014970:Xanthines; C008514:methylxanthine; D002110:Caffeine; D013805:Theobromine