Robin #183 (2009)
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Artwork by Freddie E. Williams II
Colors by Guy Major
Chef’s Note: Putting aside the question of what a “heart-activated” poison would be (given that most poisons, once incorporated, are mainly conveyed through the blood stream, which is obviously powered by the heart), it is also good to remember here that chocolate itself is a pretty potent poison:
Technically speaking, you can say, at the risk of inciting a raised eyebrow, that chocolate is poisonous. Its headlining ingredient, theobromine, has its own entry in TOXNET, the US National Library of Medicine’s comprehensive toxicology database (TOXNET). Theobromine is the chemical compound behind what chocolate lovers observe as a mood-enhancing effect from consuming the food, but more explicitly, it’s a stimulant, vasodilator, and diuretic. And it’s the piece of the puzzle that makes chocolate poisonous (often fatally so) to dogs, cats, and other animals (Coe, Coe 31). And humans aren’t completely off the hook. Even though our bodies do a remarkable job of processing theobromine, the daily consumption of 50 to 100 grams of cocoa (roughly one sizable chocolate bar all to yourself) has been linked to sweating, trembling, and severe headache. Theobromine “in large doses” may cause nausea and anorexia.
Chef’s Note: Happy National Chocolate Day!