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Chocolate Compound Beats Codeine for Cough-Suppression

Posted April 19, 2011 8:35 AM

From Boing Boing:

A compound found in chocolate outperforms over-the-counter and codeine-based cough-suppressants in clinical trials. The compound, theobromine, was written up in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal following a small placebo-controlled study at Imperial College London. Our GP told us that the best thing for a cough was a spoonful of honey, and it's pretty much all we use around our house (well, that and the vile, repulsive, disgusting, incredibly effective Buckley's Mixture -- but that's a last resort).

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#1

Re: Chocolate Compound Beats Codeine for Cough-Suppression

04/19/2011 11:23 AM

If there's one thing I appreciate, it's research that provides extra reasons to eat chocolate.

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#2

Re: Chocolate Compound Beats Codeine for Cough-Suppression

04/19/2011 1:19 PM

From WIKI:

A 2004 study published by Imperial College London concluded that theobromine has an antitussive (cough-reducing) effect superior to codeine by suppressing vagus nerve activity. In the study, theobromine significantly increased the capsaicin concentration required to induce coughs when compared with a placebo. A drug, called BC1036, is being developed by the private UK company SEEK and it uses theobromine to treat persistent cough. In addition, theobromine is helpful in treating asthma, since it relaxes the smooth muscles, including the ones found in the bronchi.

I'm glad we get all the latest-breaking science news here!

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#3
In reply to #2

Re: Chocolate Compound Beats Codeine for Cough-Suppression

04/19/2011 2:03 PM

That's all very well, but can BC1036 be used to frost your brownies?

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#4

Re: Chocolate Compound Beats Codeine for Cough-Suppression

04/19/2011 8:47 PM

The Cold and Flu season has just started here in Oz.

Now I have a valid excuse to tuck into some Easter eggs and not feel (too) guilty...

Honest I'm trying to get rid of that cough.....

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#5

Re: Chocolate Compound Beats Codeine for Cough-Suppression

04/20/2011 4:25 AM

One of these days they will discover that vodka does even better yet. Cough syrup is not so much an allegedly active ingredient dissolved in alcohol, but rather is alcohol diluted by some fragrant/flagrant/blatant flavoring agent, such as lemon juice and honey.

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