Theobromine
12 benefits mapped to clinical evidence across supplements.
Dose per serving from products
559 products in our catalogue print how much Theobromine a serving holds.
Most common: 50 mg to 100 mg, 38% of 559 products.
| Dose per serving | Products |
|---|---|
| 10 mg or less | 18 |
| 10 mg to 25 mg | 58 |
| 25 mg to 50 mg | 194 |
| 50 mg to 100 mg | 210 |
| 100 mg to 250 mg | 54 |
| over 250 mg | 25 |
Dose per serving from research
12 study groups in 8 studies say how much Theobromine participants took a day.
These are the doses the studies gave. They are not a recommendation.
Most common: 250 mg to 500 mg, 42% of 12 study groups.
| Daily dose | Study groups |
|---|---|
| 100 mg to 250 mg | 3 |
| 250 mg to 500 mg | 5 |
| 500 mg to 1 g | 4 |
Benefit Evidence
Slow caffeine clearance
Improved attention/performance
+31 h half-life
Research sources
Blood circulation (21)
- Effect of pentoxifylline, administered in preterm labour, on the foetal-placental circulation and neonatal outcome: a randomized, prospective pilot study
PubMed ID: 21985488
Pentoxifylline improved fetal/placental Doppler indices (PIUA, CPR) and reduced neonatal complications — strong circulatory/microvascular signal; indirect for theobromine.
- Efficacy and clinical tolerance of parenteral pentoxifylline in the treatment of critical lower limb ischemia. A placebo controlled multicenter study. Norwegian Pentoxifylline Multicenter Trial Group
PubMed ID: 8739541
Subgroup pain relief in severe limb ischemia relates to transient improvement in limb perfusion/symptoms.
- A comparison between aspirin and pentoxifylline in relieving claudication due to peripheral vascular disease in the elderly
PubMed ID: 9071199
Pentoxifylline increased walking distance in claudication, consistent with peripheral circulation improvement.
- Effects of indobufen and pentoxifylline on walking capacity and hemostasis in patients with intermittent claudication: results of six months of treatment
PubMed ID: 9071201
Improved maximal and pain-free walking distances and reductions in some coagulation markers suggest vascular benefit.
- Effect of pentoxifylline in severe sepsis: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
PubMed ID: 9438767
Improved organ dysfunction and oxygenation in sepsis imply improved tissue perfusion/circulation.
- Short-term oral pentoxifylline use increases choroidal blood flow in patients with age-related macular degeneration
PubMed ID: 9445205
Three months of pentoxifylline increased choroidal blood flow (fundus pulsation amplitude +28%) — regional circulatory gain.
- Systemic treatment of venous leg ulcers with high doses of pentoxifylline: efficacy in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial
PubMed ID: 10781212
High‑dose pentoxifylline significantly accelerated venous ulcer healing (shorter time to epithelialisation) — robust evidence for a hemorheologic/vascular effect (indirect for theobromine).
- Treatment of intermittent claudication with pentoxifylline: a 12-month, randomized trial--walking distance and microcirculation
PubMed ID: 11865838
Large RCT: pentoxifylline increased microcirculatory flux and walking distance—strong circulation effects for this xanthine class but pentoxifylline differs from theobromine.
- Treatment of vascular inner ear disease with pentoxifylline: a 4-week, controlled, randomized trial
PubMed ID: 11865830
Short trial: pentoxifylline increased cochlear blood flow substantially—evidence for vascular effects in this xanthine class, indirect for theobromine.
- Treatment of venous ulcers with pentoxifylline: a 12-month, double-blind, placebo controlled trial. Microcirculation and healing
PubMed ID: 11865837
Pentoxifylline markedly improved venous ulcer healing with better local blood parameters (improved local circulation); not theobromine but same methylxanthine family.
- A randomized trial of iloprost in patients with intermittent claudication
PubMed ID: 18372433
Large RCT showed pentoxifylline modestly increased walking distance in intermittent claudication, consistent with improved peripheral blood flow (clinical endpoint).
- Effect of cocoa and theobromine consumption on serum HDL-cholesterol concentrations: a randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 23595874
Theobromine improved lipid profile (↑HDL, ↓LDL/ApoB) in an RCT — plausible indirect benefit for long‑term vascular health/circulation.
- Changes in endothelial function, arterial stiffness and blood pressure in pregnant women after consumption of high-flavanol and high-theobromine chocolate: a double blind randomized clinical trial
PubMed ID: 29658370
High-flavanol/high-theobromine chocolate acutely reduced arterial stiffness (AIx) though it slightly raised diastolic BP; supports an acute effect on vascular tone.
- Methylxanthines enhance the effects of cocoa flavanols on cardiovascular function: randomized, double-masked controlled studies
PubMed ID: 28003203
Co‑ingestion of methylxanthines (theobromine + caffeine) with cocoa flavanols amplified improvements in FMD and pulse‑wave metrics versus flavanols alone, supporting a vascular benefit when theobromine is present with flavanols.
- Does long-term continuous administration of pentoxifylline affect platelet function in the critically ill patient?
PubMed ID: 8844228
PTX infusion in ICU patients prevented or reduced early platelet dysfunction and maintained fibrinogen—physiologic effects relevant to circulation.
- Controlled clinical trial on the efficacy and safety of oral sulodexide in patients with peripheral occlusive arterial disease
PubMed ID: 9327192
Open trial showed pentoxifylline improved claudication distance (vascular benefit), albeit less than sulodexide—supports circulation effects.
- Oxpentifylline treatment of venous ulcers of the leg
PubMed ID: 2256974
RCT showed pentoxifylline plus compression markedly increased venous ulcer healing—consistent with improved microcirculation.
- [Hemodilution in patients with central retinal vein thrombosis. A placebo-controlled randomized study]
PubMed ID: 1710591
Rheological therapy including pentoxifylline improved retinal circulation and vision in a small trial.
- Intravenous pentoxifylline for the treatment of chronic critical limb ischaemia. The European Study Group
PubMed ID: 7633988
IV pentoxifylline reduced rest pain and sleep disturbance in critical limb ischemia—strong vascular/rheologic effect (class-relevant).
- Pentoxifylline preloading reduces endothelial injury and permeability in cardiopulmonary bypass
PubMed ID: 9063959
Pre-bypass PTX reduced markers of endothelial damage and urine albumin—evidence of vascular/endothelial protection (class-related).
- Influence of long-term continuous intravenous administration of pentoxifylline on endothelial-related coagulation in critically ill patients
PubMed ID: 8681595
Continuous PTX blunted thrombomodulin rise and increased protein C in critically ill patients—coagulation/endothelial benefits linked to circulation.
Endurance (8)
- Treatment of long-distance intermittent claudication with pentoxifylline: a 12-month, randomized trial
PubMed ID: 11865829
12‑month trial: pentoxifylline improved total walking distance vs placebo; supports endurance/functional capacity in this xanthine class.
- A randomized trial of iloprost in patients with intermittent claudication
PubMed ID: 18372433
Modest but statistically significant increase in absolute claudication distance with pentoxifylline in a large RCT—direct evidence of improved exertional tolerance.
- Effects of cilostazol and pentoxifylline on forearm reactive hyperemia response, lipid profile, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers in patients with intermittent claudication
PubMed ID: 18388031
In nonsmokers, pentoxifylline increased maximal walking distance, a direct functional endurance measure.
- A comparison between aspirin and pentoxifylline in relieving claudication due to peripheral vascular disease in the elderly
PubMed ID: 9071199
Pentoxifylline increased walking distance in elderly claudication patients — direct exercise-endurance benefit.
- Treatment of severe intermittent claudication with pentoxifylline: a 40-week, controlled, randomized trial
PubMed ID: 11865828
40‑week pentoxifylline trial increased walking distances vs placebo, indicating improved endurance for peripheral arterial disease patients; indirect relation.
- Intensive vascular training in stage IIb of peripheral arterial occlusive disease. The additive effects of intravenous prostaglandin E1 or intravenous pentoxifylline during training
PubMed ID: 8044953
Short-term walking distance increases with PTX were comparable to exercise—directly relevant to exercise endurance (class-level evidence).
- Treatment of intermittent claudication with pentoxifylline: a 12-month, randomized trial--walking distance and microcirculation
PubMed ID: 11865838
Large pentoxifylline RCT showed major increases in walking distance (pain‑free & total) in claudication; strong evidence for exercise capacity for this drug class, indirect for theobromine.
- Effects of indobufen and pentoxifylline on walking capacity and hemostasis in patients with intermittent claudication: results of six months of treatment
PubMed ID: 9071201
Both treatments improved maximal and pain-free walking distances; pentoxifylline produced measurable functional gains.
Hydration (7)
- Pentoxifylline decreases the incidence of multiple organ failure in patients after major cardio-thoracic surgery
PubMed ID: 9565250
Pentoxifylline-treated patients required markedly fewer hemofiltration days and less ICU renal support, implying fluid/renal benefit in that setting.
- Captopril and combination therapy of captopril and pentoxifylline in reducing proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy
PubMed ID: 20199178
Addition of pentoxifylline to ACE inhibitor reduced proteinuria in diabetics and slightly lowered systolic BP — supports renal/fluid balance effects (indirect).
- Determination of pentoxifylline efficacy on microalbuminuria in patients with type-2 diabetes
PubMed ID: 38169355
Large RCT showed marked reductions in albuminuria in diabetic nephropathy—suggests renal benefit affecting fluid/protein handling.
- Comparison of Two Dietary Supplements for Treatment of Uric Acid Renal Lithiasis: Citrate vs. Citrate + Theobromine
PubMed ID: 32645831
Direct human trial: adding theobromine to citrate raised urinary theobromine and reduced risk of uric‑acid crystallization — a direct urinary/renal chemistry effect relevant to fluid/urine balance and stone risk.
- The effect of pentoxifylline on reduction of proteinuria among patients with type 2 diabetes under blockade of angiotensin system: a double blind and randomized clinical trial
PubMed ID: 23169362
PTX added to ACE/ARB substantially reduced proteinuria and slowed GFR decline — meaningful kidney effect tied to fluid handling (indirect).
- Prevention of hepatorenal syndrome in patients with cirrhosis and ascites: a pilot randomized control trial between pentoxifylline and placebo
PubMed ID: 21285885
Pentoxifylline reduced incidence of hepatorenal syndrome and preserved renal function in cirrhotics — directly relevant to fluid/volume control in ascites patients (indirect for theobromine).
- Pentoxifylline does not decrease short-term mortality but does reduce complications in patients with advanced cirrhosis
PubMed ID: 20102716
Large cirrhosis trial showed fewer liver‑related complications and higher complication‑free survival with PTX which can affect fluid balance indirectly; relevance to theobromine is indirect.
Metabolism (6)
- Effect of cocoa and theobromine consumption on serum HDL-cholesterol concentrations: a randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 23595874
Large RCT: pure theobromine (850 mg/day) raised HDL, increased ApoA‑I and improved LDL/ApoB — strong direct metabolic/lipid support.
- Pentoxifylline improves nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: a randomized placebo-controlled trial
PubMed ID: 21748765
Pentoxifylline produced robust improvements in NASH histology and ALT — supports hepatic metabolic health; relevance to theobromine is indirect (different methylxanthine).
- Crosstalk among intestinal barrier, gut microbiota and serum metabolome after a polyphenol-rich diet in older subjects with "leaky gut": The MaPLE trial
PubMed ID: 34534897
Polyphenol-rich diet raised methylxanthine/theobromine and was associated with microbiome shifts and lower zonulin — direct human link between theobromine exposure and metabolic/microbiome markers.
- An herbal supplement containing Ma Huang-Guarana for weight loss: a randomized, double-blind trial
PubMed ID: 11319627
Herbal (ephedra–guarana) trial produced short-term weight/fat loss—pharmacology differs but metabolic effect reported.
- Weight loss and delayed gastric emptying following a South American herbal preparation in overweight patients
PubMed ID: 11424516
Herbal mix containing yerba maté significantly delayed gastric emptying and produced ~5 kg weight loss over 45 days — directly supports metabolic/weight effects for mate-containing products (multi‑herb confounding).
- Theobromine supplementation in combination with a low-calorie diet improves cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese subjects with metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 37615657
Randomized RCT of 450 mg/day theobromine (with low-calorie diet) showed small but significant improvements in waist circumference and lipid ratios—direct metabolic signal.
Mental clarity (5)
- European Pentoxifylline Multi-Infarct Dementia Study
PubMed ID: 8864715
Large RCT showed modest cognitive/global function benefit with pentoxifylline—class-relevant signal for mental clarity (indirect to theobromine).
- Pentoxifylline in cerebrovascular dementia
PubMed ID: 1538042
Slowing of cognitive decline in multi-infarct dementia (subgroup benefits) suggests clearer cognition in some patients.
- [Vascular-induced disorders of cerebral performance in the elderly. Long-term therapy with pentoxifylline and psychological mental training]
PubMed ID: 2127040
Randomized trial reporting improved mental performance and health/behavior scores vs placebo.
- SPECT monitoring of improved cerebral blood flow during long-term treatment of elderly patients with nootropic drugs
PubMed ID: 9890490
Objective increases in cerebral blood flow and some self-reported memory improvements (pentoxifylline+niacin combo) map to clarity.
- Methylxanthines are the psycho-pharmacologically active constituents of chocolate
PubMed ID: 15549276
Human trial showed improved cognitive performance and alertness with cocoa and a caffeine+theobromine mix (caffeine confound).
Mood balance (4)
- Methylxanthines are the psycho-pharmacologically active constituents of chocolate
PubMed ID: 15549276
Cocoa and caffeine+theobromine raised energetic arousal and improved cognitive measures, consistent with mood improvement (caffeine present).
- [Vascular-induced disorders of cerebral performance in the elderly. Long-term therapy with pentoxifylline and psychological mental training]
PubMed ID: 2127040
Trial found improved state-of-health/behavior scores alongside mental performance improvements.
- Psychopharmacology of theobromine in healthy volunteers
PubMed ID: 23420115
Human theobromine study: 250 mg increased 'want' (positive mood/desire) at low dose; dose-dependent mood effects noted.
- Reinforcing effects of caffeine and theobromine as found in chocolate
PubMed ID: 15772863
Repeated pairings with caffeine+theobromine increased liking for a drink (reinforcement), directly tied to subjective preference and mood-related liking.
Alertness (3)
- Methylxanthines are the psycho-pharmacologically active constituents of chocolate
PubMed ID: 15549276
Direct human evidence: cocoa and a caffeine+theobromine mix improved alertness and reaction/performance measures (caffeine present).
- Pentoxifylline in cerebrovascular dementia
PubMed ID: 1538042
Cognitive benefits (slowed decline) in multi-infarct dementia subgroups indicate alertness gains in some patients.
- [Vascular-induced disorders of cerebral performance in the elderly. Long-term therapy with pentoxifylline and psychological mental training]
PubMed ID: 2127040
Reported improvements in mental performance tests versus placebo over six weeks.
Energy & Fatigue (3)
- Psychopharmacology of theobromine in healthy volunteers
PubMed ID: 23420115
Theobromine produced dose‑dependent increases in heart rate and subjective 'want' at low dose consistent with a mild stimulant/energy effect.
- Methylxanthines are the psycho-pharmacologically active constituents of chocolate
PubMed ID: 15549276
Cocoa and caffeine+theobromine improved energetic arousal/attention, consistent with reduced subjective fatigue; caffeine present.
- A comparison between aspirin and pentoxifylline in relieving claudication due to peripheral vascular disease in the elderly
PubMed ID: 9071199
Increased walking distance in claudication patients suggests reduced exertional fatigue (clinical effect with pentoxifylline).
Respiratory comfort (3)
- [Pentoxifylline as adjuvant therapy of multiple organ failure]
PubMed ID: 14518297
Reported improvements in pulmonary function (PO2/FiO2) in septic patients indicate better breathing (pentoxifylline data).
- Effect of pentoxifylline in severe sepsis: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
PubMed ID: 9438767
Improved oxygenation (PaO2/FIO2) and organ dysfunction late in sepsis imply respiratory benefit.
- Pentoxifylline decreases the incidence of multiple organ failure in patients after major cardio-thoracic surgery
PubMed ID: 9565250
Patients treated with pentoxifylline spent less ventilator time after cardiac surgery, consistent with respiratory benefit.
Antioxidant (3)
- Pentoxifylline decreases soluble CD40 ligand concentration and CD40 gene expression in coronary artery disease patients
PubMed ID: 21999662
Pentoxifylline reduced CD40 mRNA and sCD40L in CAD patients — meaningful anti‑inflammatory/immune modulation (surrogate antioxidant relevance; indirect).
- Pentoxifylline decreases serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6 and C-reactive protein in hemodialysis patients: results of a randomized double-blind, controlled clinical trial
PubMed ID: 21968012
Pentoxifylline markedly lowered TNF‑α, IL‑6 and CRP in hemodialysis patients — strong anti‑inflammatory signal that can be interpreted as an antioxidant/antiinflammatory biological effect (indirect to theobromine).
- Pentoxifylline (anti-tumor necrosis factor drug): effective adjuvant therapy in the control of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid
PubMed ID: 21279976
Adjunctive PTX lowered TNF‑α substantially and improved ocular disease outcomes — strong anti‑inflammatory effect (indirect to theobromine).
Motivation & confidence (2)
- [Vascular-induced disorders of cerebral performance in the elderly. Long-term therapy with pentoxifylline and psychological mental training]
PubMed ID: 2127040
Improved state-of-health/behavior scores with pentoxifylline may reflect greater motivation in elderly subjects.
- Reinforcing effects of caffeine and theobromine as found in chocolate
PubMed ID: 15772863
Caffeine+theobromine pairing increased learned liking for a drink, which is behavioral evidence relevant to reinforcement/motivation.
Focus & concentration (2)
- [Vascular-induced disorders of cerebral performance in the elderly. Long-term therapy with pentoxifylline and psychological mental training]
PubMed ID: 2127040
Improved cognitive test performance in an elderly cohort likely includes better focus/attention.
- Methylxanthines are the psycho-pharmacologically active constituents of chocolate
PubMed ID: 15549276
Cocoa and a caffeine+theobromine mix improved cognitive performance and reaction times (focus) in humans; caffeine confounds attribution.
Similar by evidence
Supplements the same benefits carry qualifying findings for — a fact about the evidence graph, not a recommendation to swap.
Products with Theobromine
Search all688 products whose verified label declares Theobromine — not every bottle that mentions it in a title.
Being studied right now
Recruiting clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. A trial in progress has no result yet — this is what the field is asking, not what it found.