Glossary
Antihypertensive
Against high blood pressure.
Antioxidant
A component that helps to prevent or reduce the oxidative damage to
body cells and tissues by free radicals.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a disease affecting the arterial
blood vessel. It is commonly referred to as a "hardening" or
"furring" of the arteries. It is caused by the formation of
multiple plaques within the arteries.
Bioavailability
Bioavailability is the measurement of the rate and amount of a
chemical compound that ultimately achieves systemic
circulation and is absorbed with an active effect into various
target tissues after it is eaten or administered.
Cardiovascular
Refers to blood circulation and the heart.
Cognitive performance
Refers to processes such as memory, attention,
perception, action, problem solving and mental imagery
capacity.
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid usually in
the form of a double helix that contains the genetic instructions
specifying the biological development of all cellular forms of
life.
Endothelium
The endothelium is the layer of thin, flat cells that
lines the interior surface of blood vessels.
Epidemiology
Epidemiology is the scientific study of factors
affecting the health and illness of individuals and populations,
and serves as the foundation and logic of interventions made in the
interest of public health and preventive medicine. It is considered
a cornerstone methodology of public health research, and is highly
regarded in evidence-based medicine for identifying risk factors
for disease and determining optimal treatment approaches to
clinical practice.
Flavanol
A specific subgroup of polyphenols abundant in cocoa
consisting of catechin, epicatechin and
proanthocyanidins.
Free radicals
Free radicals can initiate chemical reactions that can cause damage
to cells and DNA and are believed to play a role in degenerative
disorders such as heart disease and cancer. The free radicals can
be formed in the body by exposure to sunlight and pollution.
Inflammatory
Inflammation is the first response of the immune
system to infection or irritation.
LDL cholesterol
Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol is referred to as
the bad cholesterol what may lead to cardiovascular problems.
Molecule
A molecule is considered as the smallest particle of
a pure chemical substance that still retains its composition and
chemical properties.
HDL
High density lipoprotein or often referred to as the 'good'
cholesterol.
ORAC method
Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) is a method
of measuring antioxidant contents in different foods.
Platelet aggregation
Platelets or thrombocytes are the blood cell
fragments that are involved in the cellular mechanisms that lead to
the formation of blood clots. Low levels or dysfunction predisposes
for bleeding, while high levels may increase the risk of
thrombosis.
Polyphenols
Are a group of plant phytochemical substances. Some
polyphenols are responsible for the colouring of some plants e.g.
the blue colour of berries.
Proanthocyanidin
A type of flavanol consisting of different catechin
molecules joined together to form bigger compounds.
Systolic and diastolic blood
pressure
The systolic pressure is defined as the peak pressure
in the arteries during the cardiac cycle; the diastolic pressure is
the lowest pressure (at the resting phase of the cardiac
cycle).
