Purine alkaloids

Caffeine

Central nervous system stimulant, weak diuretic

Theophylline

Low stimulant activity, diuretic, stronger muscle relaxant

Theobromine

Slight CNS stimulant, stronger diuretic, muscle relaxant activity

Xanthine

Adenine

Guanine

Coffee. Rubiaceae Coffea arabica

1-2% caffeine, traces of theophylline and theobromine; volatile oils and tannins.

Tea. Theaceae Thea sinensis

Colourless catechins 40%, 1-4% caffeine, up to 0.05% theophylline and theobromine, tannins, volatile oils, monoterpene alcohols, aromatic alcohols, theaflavins.

Antioxidants, against cardiovascular diseases

Cola. Sterculiaceae Cola nitida, acuminata

3% caffeine, 0.1% theobromine, tannin, polyphenols

Cocoa. Sterculiaceae Theobroma cacao

35-50% oil (cocoa oil), 1-4% theobromine, 0.2-0.5% caffeine, tannins, volatile oils, salsolinol (isoquinoline alkaloids).

Can cause constipation, diuretic, broncholytic, vasodilatory

Mate tea. Sterculiaceae Ilex paraguensis

0.8-1.7% caffeine, 0.3-0.9% theobromine, 10-16% chlorogenic acid, tannins, saponins, rutin.

Antifatigue, hypocholesterolemic effect, antioxidant, digestion, anti-diabetic