This glossary is a resource for clarifying the complex terms used to explain Mars Botanical technology and cocoa flavanol science.
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Antioxidant
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Any substance that is capable of preventing or reversing the effects of oxidation.
Our body uses two types of antioxidants: endogenous and exogenous types. Put simply, endogenous antioxidants arise from within the body. Exogenous antioxidants come from certain foods we eat, Vitamins C and E are examples.
Consumers should be cautious when trying to assess the health benefits of certain foods by merely looking up information on the antioxidant content, as product of claims regarding cardiovascular health benefits of "high antioxidant content" can actually be misleading.
This is because the assessment of "high antioxidant content" is mainly based on the measurements taken in a test tube, and not in the human body. In the context of flavanols and cardiovascular health benefits, looking specifically for high flavanol content is the best guarantee that products will provide tangible circulatory health benefits.
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Arteriosclerosis
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A chronic disease in which thickening, hardening, and a loss of elasticity of the artery walls may result in impaired blood circulation, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Commonly called hardening of the arteries. Atherosclerosis is a form of ateriosclerosis.
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Artery
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A muscular blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart into the body.
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Atherosclerosis
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A form of arteriosclerosis in which the inner layers of artery walls become thick and irregular due to deposits of fat, cholesterol and other substances. This buildup is called "plaque."
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