From ‘polyphenols’, ‘gut microbiota’ to ‘prebiotic’ … when it comes to the New Year’s trendy wellness lingo most Brits are totally lost. A new study claims while 80% of us in January say we’re embracing a healthier lifestyle, we often fake understanding health terms flashed daily across adverts, websites and news reports.
In fact, a whopping 86% of Britons admit to being baffled by jargon used to explain what is happening in your gut – and the human body’s other wellness hotspots. So the Daily Express has created a list of the top 20 wellness buzzwords frequently bandied about, courtesy of data from the study by supplements firm Symprove – using to simply explain what they actually mean.
Top of the confusion list is « synbiotics », with 96% of the 2,000 UK adults surveyed having no idea what it means – despite it being everywhere in gut health conversations.
And it doesn’t stop there. Gut health as a whole appears to be a major blind spot, with two-thirds unable to explain the difference between probiotics (66%) and prebiotics (79%).
Other science-heavy buzzwords are proving just as baffling, including polyphenols (95%) and FODMAP (95%), terms that regularly appear on food labels, menus and diet plans.
Even words many of us casually use don’t seem to land. Macronutrients (86%), non-GMO (88%) and cortisol (80%) all made the list, alongside serotonin (76%), fermentation (75%) and even “superfood” (74%).
And despite dominating headlines and supermarket shelves, nearly two-thirds (65%) admit they don’t actually know what ultra-processed means.
The confusion may explain why more than half (57%) say they jump from one health trend to the next — even though they don’t fully understand the science behind them.
Unsurprisingly, 86% wish they had a better grasp of how to live a healthy lifestyle.
Registered nutritionist and Symprove ambassador Rhiannon Lambert says the sheer volume of wellness buzzwords is leaving people overwhelmed.
She said: « This research shows just how confusing health terms have become, especially in January when motivation is at its peak.
« With so many buzzwords in circulation, it’s easy to feel like you’re doing something wrong or to jump from one fad to the next.
« Gut health is one of the most misunderstood areas, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. Understanding the basics can help people make confident, sustainable choices — and stick to them beyond January. »
And sticking to it is clearly the hardest part. While one in three (32%) start every January determined to be healthier, 84% give up after an average of just 14 days.
Stress (44%), lack of willpower (42%), boredom (35%) and food temptation (35%) are among the biggest reasons health kicks fall apart.
A quarter (24%) say dark evenings kill motivation altogether, while 21% are simply too tired to work out — despite 39% admitting they’ve bought all the gym gear.
When the wheels come off, guilt kicks in, with 78% saying they feel bad for quitting.
So, how many do you know? Rhiannon Lambert breaks down the 20 most confusing health terms in Britain. Be honest — how many could you explain before reading on?
THE 20 MOST CONFUSING HEALTH TERMS (AND WHAT THEY ACTUALLY MEAN):
Synbiotics – Foods that combine probiotics and prebiotics to support gut health (96% of us were unaware of its meaning)
Polyphenols – Plant compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (95%)
FODMAP – A group of carbs that can cause bloating and digestive discomfort (95%)
Bioavailability – How well your body absorbs and uses a nutrient (94%)
Gut microbiota – The community of microorganisms living in your digestive system (93%)
Non-GMO – Foods not made using genetically modified ingredients (88%)
Microbiome – All the microorganisms (and their genes) in a specific environment, like the gut (88%)
Macronutrients (macros) – Protein, carbohydrates and fats (86%)
Gut flora – Microorganisms living in the digestive tract (84%)
Live bacteria supplements – Supplements containing beneficial live microbes (84%)
Cortisol – A hormone that helps manage stress, blood sugar and inflammation (80%)
Prebiotics – Fibres that feed good gut bacteria (79%)
Serotonin – A chemical messenger linked to mood, sleep and digestion (76%)
Fermentation – A process where microbes break down carbohydrates (75%)
Superfood – Nutrient-dense foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants (74%)
Dopamine – A chemical involved in motivation, reward and mood (72%)
Probiotics – Live microorganisms that support gut health (66%)
Ultra-processed foods – Industrial foods made using extracts and additives (65%)
Collagen – A protein that supports skin, joints and connective tissue (65%)
Omega-3s – Essential fats important for heart, brain and eye health (63%)
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