What Drinks Contain Xanthine? A Guide to Methylxanthines

November 13, 2025 •

4 min read

A 2017 study found that over 98% of all caffeine consumed comes from coffee, tea, and soft drinks, which are rich sources of xanthine derivatives. These compounds are naturally occurring plant alkaloids that provide the stimulant effects found in many popular beverages.

Quick Summary

Many common beverages contain xanthine alkaloids like caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine. Major sources include coffee, various teas, cocoa-based drinks, and energy drinks, each with a different profile of these compounds.

Key Points

Coffee's Primary Xanthine is Caffeine: Coffee is a concentrated source of caffeine, a powerful central nervous system stimulant and a type of methylxanthine.
Tea Contains Caffeine and Theophylline: Tea provides a mix of xanthine alkaloids, including both caffeine and theophylline, resulting in a different set of stimulating effects.
Cocoa and Chocolate Have Theobromine: The primary xanthine in cocoa-based drinks is theobromine, a milder stimulant known for its cardiovascular effects.
Energy Drinks Use Added Caffeine: Most energy drinks contain high levels of added caffeine, with content sometimes regulated and labelled.
Yerba Mate Offers a Xanthine Blend: This unique beverage contains caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine, contributing to its balanced stimulating properties.
Xanthine Effects Vary by Type: The different methylxanthine derivatives have varying potencies and effects, with caffeine being the most potent CNS stimulant.
Toxicity is Generally Low: For humans, the toxicity of xanthines from typical beverage consumption is low, but high doses or excessive intake can cause adverse side effects.

What are xanthines?

Xanthine is a purine base found naturally in most human body tissues and fluids, but its derivatives, known as methylxanthines, are what primarily appear in popular beverages. The three most common methylxanthines derived from plants are caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. These compounds function as mild stimulants, acting as non-selective adenosine receptor antagonists in the central nervous system to increase alertness and reduce drowsiness. Their potency and specific effects vary significantly. While synthetic xanthines are used in medicine for purposes like treating asthma, the natural derivatives in drinks are what most people encounter regularly.

The Primary Xanthine-Containing Beverages

Many of the world's most consumed beverages owe their stimulant properties to naturally occurring xanthines. While many focus only on caffeine, other xanthine derivatives play a significant role.

Coffee

Coffee is arguably the most recognized source of xanthine derivatives, with its primary active compound being caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine). The concentration of caffeine can vary greatly depending on factors such as the type of coffee bean (Robusta has higher caffeine than Arabica), the brewing method, and the amount of coffee used. A typical serving can deliver a potent dose of caffeine, leading to the well-known stimulating effects.

Tea

All types of tea derived from the Camellia sinensis plant contain xanthines, though the specific profile differs from coffee. In addition to caffeine, tea leaves contain theophylline (1,3-dimethylxanthine). Theophylline has notable diuretic and bronchodilator effects, which contribute to the different physiological experience of drinking tea compared to coffee. Black tea and pu-erh teas tend to have higher concentrations of these compounds compared to green or scented teas, though brewing time is also a factor.

Cocoa and Chocolate Drinks

For chocolate lovers, the primary xanthine is not caffeine but theobromine (3,7-dimethylxanthine), derived from the cacao plant. Theobromine is a milder stimulant than caffeine, primarily acting as a heart stimulator and diuretic with less effect on the central nervous system. Cocoa and dark chocolate drinks will have significantly higher levels of theobromine than milk chocolate, along with a smaller amount of caffeine.

Energy Drinks and Cola Soft Drinks

These popular beverages contain added xanthines, most notably caffeine, to provide their stimulating effect. In many cases, synthetic caffeine is added rather than natural extracts, though some may use kola nut or guarana extracts. The caffeine content in energy drinks can be very high, prompting regulations in some countries to limit and label the content. Cola soft drinks have lower levels of caffeine compared to energy drinks or coffee.

Yerba Mate

This South American herbal tea contains a unique blend of xanthines, including caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline, providing a stimulating yet often balanced and sustained energy lift. Regular drinkers often report benefits for appetite control and digestion in addition to increased energy.

Comparative Analysis of Methylxanthines in Common Beverages


Beverage	Primary Xanthine(s)	Typical Relative Potency	Notes
Coffee	Caffeine	Strongest stimulant	Acts mainly as a CNS stimulant.
Tea	Caffeine & Theophylline	Moderate stimulant & diuretic	Theophylline adds bronchodilator effects.
Cocoa / Chocolate	Theobromine	Mild stimulant, heart focus	Less impact on the CNS compared to caffeine.
Energy Drinks	Caffeine (added)	Strong stimulant	Potency depends on dosage; often combined with other ingredients.
Yerba Mate	Caffeine, Theobromine, Theophylline	Balanced effect	Considered a clean, sustained energy source by many users.

The Effects of Xanthine on the Body

The xanthine derivatives in drinks affect the body in several ways, primarily by antagonizing adenosine receptors and inhibiting phosphodiesterases. This leads to a cascade of physiological responses:

Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulation: Caffeine, in particular, blocks adenosine's sleep-inducing effects, leading to increased alertness and mental performance.
Cardiovascular effects: Theobromine acts as a heart stimulator and vasodilator, while caffeine can increase heart rate and force of contraction.
Bronchodilation: Theophylline is well-known for its ability to relax the smooth muscles of the bronchial tubes, which is why it was traditionally used to treat asthma.
Diuretic effect: Many xanthines, including theobromine and theophylline, have diuretic properties, increasing urination.
Digestive stimulation: Methylxanthines can increase gastric acid and pepsin secretions in the gastrointestinal tract.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you're asking what drinks contain xanthine, the answer includes some of the world's most popular beverages: coffee, tea, and cocoa drinks. These and other sources like yerba mate contain different profiles of methylxanthine derivatives, including caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine, each with distinct physiological effects. Understanding these differences helps in recognizing why a cup of coffee feels different from a mug of tea or hot chocolate. Whether seeking a potent CNS stimulant or a milder heart-focused pick-me-up, the natural world offers a variety of xanthine-rich drinks to suit different needs.

For more in-depth information on xanthine derivatives, consult the detailed guide on LiverTox through the National Institutes of Health.

List of Other Xanthine Sources
- Guarana berries
- Kola nuts
- Certain energy drink ingredients

Frequently Asked Questions

No, caffeine is a type of xanthine derivative, specifically a methylxanthine. Other examples include theophylline and theobromine, all of which are part of the larger xanthine family.

Methylxanthines are methylated derivatives of xanthine. This group includes caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine, which are plant-derived alkaloids commonly found in coffee, tea, and chocolate.

The highest dry weight content of xanthine derivatives, specifically caffeine, can be found in instant coffee powder. However, the amount in a prepared beverage depends on the brewing method and serving size.

The primary xanthine in cocoa and chocolate is theobromine, which is typically found in higher concentrations than caffeine in these products.

Yes, drinks that do not come from the coffee, tea, or cocoa plant, or have no caffeine added, will not contain xanthine. Examples include water, herbal teas not containing mate or guarana, and fruit juices.

Decaffeinated drinks have most of their caffeine removed, but trace amounts of xanthine derivatives may remain. The content is significantly lower than in regular versions.

The different physiological effects are largely due to the varying profiles of xanthine derivatives. Tea contains theophylline in addition to caffeine, while coffee is primarily caffeine. These compounds affect the body in different ways, leading to distinct experiences.