Can you die from eating too much chocolate?
In this brief guide, we will answer the question “can you die from eating too much chocolate?” With an in-depth analysis of can, do we die from eating too much chocolate?. Moreover, we will also discuss how a person can die from eating too much chocolate.
Can you die from eating too much chocolate?
No, it is almost impossible for the average human to die from eating too much chocolate. There certainly is a toxic dose of chocolate, and it can be fatal.
You are far more likely to wind up in the emergency room with a severely upset stomach (likely with vomiting) with a chocolate overdose than death.
How much chocolate will kill you?
The median lethal dose for humans is 1000 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. That means that an 80 kg human would have to eat 5.7 kg of unsweetened dark chocolate for it to kill them (going by a theobromine content of 14 milligrams per gram of dark chocolate, although it varies).
How much chocolate can kill you in a day?
Consuming approximately 85 full-size bars of dark chocolate a day within a short period can cause the death of a person.
Which ingredients in chocolate can make chocolate lethal?
Although chocolate has saturated fat that could prove lethal in the long run or even acutely by triggering a heart attack, this is an unlikely event.
The two things in chocolate that might be far more acutely dangerous are caffeine and a related chemical called theobromine.
Metabolism of both caffeine and theobromine vary from person to person as likely sensitivity to both of them.
In what amounts theobromine in chocolate can be toxic?
Theobromine is a chemical relative to caffeine also present in chocolate with its toxicity profile. The LD50 of theobromine varies more widely it seems, but we will go with 500mg/kg. Chocolate varies in theobromine concentration, but a moderate dark type would have about 100mg per ounce.
The LD50 for theobromine, or lethal dose required to kill 50 percent of all people, is 1,000 mg/kg of body weight, which translates to 75 g of theobromine in a 75-kg person.
Notably, theobromine levels vary by chocolate type, with cocoa powder and dark chocolate containing the highest concentrations, followed by milk and white chocolate. Nevertheless, it would still take perhaps a pound of pure chocolate to kill a human utilizing theobromine poisoning.
What are the side effects of eating too much chocolate?
Anxiety and irregular heartbeat:
Chocolates are rich in caffeine that positively boosts the energy of a person. However, when taken in excess, it can result in side effects like irregular and fast heartbeats, dizziness, and sweating, and increased anxiety.
Gastrointestinal Issues:
Eating too much chocolate can result in gastrointestinal discomfort as the nature of caffeine is acidic. Acidic foods can lead to bouts of heartburn, acid reflux issues, and inflamed stomach ulcers. Too much caffeine can worsen your gastrointestinal issues.
Weight Gain:
Chocolates contain a high amount of calories which leads to inadequate weight gain. Increased weight can further result in problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
High Potassium:
Chocolate is a potassium-rich food, which is not good for people who suffer from adrenal disease and kidney disease. They need to avoid potassium-rich foods. Hence, eating too much chocolate is not meant for such people.
Acid Reflux Issue:
Chocolate can irritate the stomach lining as it allows gastric juice to pass through the esophagus. The gastric juice irritates the esophagus which results in a burning sensation in the chest known as heartburn.
Acne:
The most common side effect of eating too much chocolate is that it causes acne. Acne can be triggered due to any compound present in the chocolate, be it milk, cocoa butter, sugar, cocoa solids, or other elements.
Can a person overdose on chocolate?
Theobromine interferes with the nervous system, respiratory system, and cardiovascular system (eg, vasodilation), as well as results in excess urination (ie, diuresis). In very high amounts, it can cause increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, loss of appetite, severe headache, and drops in blood pressure.
In reality, other associated symptoms like nausea and anorexia would make it difficult for any person to continue eating chocolate until quantities become fatal.
Other FAQs about Chocolates that you may be interested in.
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Conclusion:
In this brief guide, we have answered the question “can you die from eating too much chocolate?” With an in-depth analysis of can, do we die from eating too much chocolate?. Moreover, we have also discussed how a person can die from eating too much chocolate.
