The rest of the healthy eating buzzwords

Jan 3 2008 by Sally Williams, Western Mail

Probiotics

Healthy bacteria found among the living micro organisms in the intestinal tract that are necessary for proper digestive health.

They are responsible for protective effects, including the healthy turnover of cells in the intestinal tract, production of essential nutrients and the prevention of overgrowth of harmful organisms.

Probiotics can be found in yogurt and supplements.

Superfood

A natural food source that is highly concentrated with a complex supply of quality nutrients.

Superfoods include blueberries, asparagus, pomegranate, broccoli, tomatoes and walnuts

Whole grain

Whole grain products contain the whole package of nutrients from the entire grain kernel.

Whole grain is an important source of dietary fibre, minerals, vitamins, phyto-oestrogens, antioxidants and is low in saturated fatty acids.

Free radicals

These play an important role in a number of biological processes, some of which are necessary for life and they can attack disease-causing organisms.

However, because of their reactivity, these same free radicals can be destructive, participating in unwanted side reactions that result in cell damage. Many forms of cancer are thought to be the result of reactions between free radicals and DNA; some of the symptoms of aging are also attributed to free-radical-induced oxidation of many of the chemicals making up the body.

Antioxidants

These are chemical compounds that work to protect the body from cell damage by inhibiting oxidation, rendering free radicals harmless.

Foods with high antioxidant levels have been shown in studies to have health benefits ranging from anti-aging to improved cardiovascular health.

Antioxidants slow down, prevent and treat degenerative diseases and aging by scavenging free radicals.

Carotenoids

A class of red, orange and yellow pigments in fruits and vegetables, carotenoids include the carotenes, one of which, beta-carotene, is one of the best-known antioxidants.

Nanofood

These are produced using nanotechnology that promise improved food processing, packaging and safety; enhanced flavour and nutrition.

A food is a “nanofood” when nanoparticles, nanotechnology techniques or tools are used during cultivation, production, processing or packaging of the food.

Carbon footprint

A measure of the impact the production and transportation of certain foods have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide. It is useful for individuals and organisations to assess their impact in contributing to global warming.

Macrobiotics

From the Greek “macro” (large, long) and “bios” (life), this is a dietary regimen which involves eating grains as a staple food supplemented with other local foodstuffs such as vegetables and beans, and avoiding the use of highly processed or refined foods.