Antioxidant activity

Oxidation is the process of adding oxygen to a compound. Oxygen is a good thing; we need it to live. But there is a negative side to oxidation as well. An example: cut a fresh ripe apple in half. Within minutes the juicy flesh starts to dry out and turn brown. Comparable processes occur in our bodies too. These negative effects of oxidation can be intensified by smoking, exposure to second hand smoke, poor diet, stress, too much sun (ultraviolet radiation) and so on. Antioxidants help prevent oxidation and its subsequent damage.

Free radicals can result from the process of oxidation. They are also a chemical byproduct of our normal respiration and metabolism. In fact, these byproducts are formed every time we burn energy. Scientists are only beginning to understand the complexity of free radical physiology and chemistry. We do know however that free radicals can initiate chemical reactions in the body that cause damage to cells and DNA. Antioxidants typically reduce the level of these free radicals by acting as scavengers, mopping them up whenever they appear.

When the level of free radicals builds up to the point where the body becomes unable to respond adequately, permanent damage can result. Free radicals can cause damage to cellular DNA, to the cell itself and especially to susceptible organs such as the eyes, lungs and the central nervous system. This damage can ultimately cascade into a variety of different health problems and diseases. These can range from effects on the immune system and brain function to cardiovascular disease and even some forms of cancer. Free radicals also accelerate the ageing process. The better our body can handle free radicals, the better our chances of maintaining good health.

Our body can defend itself against free radicals — but only up to a point. A healthy body has mechanisms to handle the normal loads of free radicals. However, this ability can be severely compromised by our lifestyle. It also generally declines with age.

One way to enhance our body’s antioxidant defences is to eat foods that are naturally rich in polyphenols. Especially prunes, onions, soybeans, blueberries, cranberries, teas (green and black) and red wines have a very high polyphenol (antioxidant) content. Cocoa, dark and milk chocolate – and ACTICOA™ chocolate in particular – are extremely rich in polyphenols with a powerful antioxidant effect. A minimum daily portion of 10 grams of ACTICOA™ dark chocolate already covers the need for polyphenols, and helps to improve the antioxidant balance in our body.

It is now recognized that the presence of excessive free radicals in the body is associated with detrimental effects upon health. That's where antioxidants come into the picture. The ACTICOA™ process was developed to preserve the naturally present high amounts of polyphenols from the fresh cocoa bean in chocolate. Their powerful antioxidant properties may help us to support good health. The ACTICOA™ polyphenols help to neutralize free radicals and other oxidants in the body before permanent damage has resulted.