Brits on a Health Kick but Confused by the Science: The 20 Most Misunderstood Health Terms Explained

January is peak season for healthy intentions, but new research suggests many Brits are still navigating wellness with more guesswork than guidance. While four in five adults say they’re embracing a healthier lifestyle, a study of 2,000 UK adults reveals widespread confusion around common health and nutrition terms, particularly those linked to gut health. From synbiotics and probiotics to FODMAPs and ultra-processed foods, the surge in health buzzwords is leaving the majority feeling baffled, frustrated, and unsure whether they’re making the right choices at all.

Top of the list of confusing health terms was “synbiotics,” which refers to foods that combine probiotics and prebiotics to boost gut health, with 96% admitting they had “no idea” what the terms meant. In fact, gut health seems to baffle many of us as two-thirds were also unable to explain the difference between probiotics (66%) and prebiotics (79%).

Polyphenols (95%) and FODMAP (95%) appeared high on this list, leaving Brits scratching their heads.

Perhaps more surprisingly, commonly used terms such as ‘macronutrients’ (86%), non-GMO (88%) and cortisol (80%) all made an appearance despite Brits using them frequently, along with serotonin (76%), fermentation (75%) and even superfood (74%) which refers to a nutrient-dense food that is packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre.

And despite it being a hot topic at the moment, two-thirds (65%) admit they actually have NO CLUE what ultra-processed means.

More than half (57%) say they chop and change between health kick fads, even though they don’t fully understand the science behind them, so much so that 86% wish they understood more about how to live a healthy lifestyle.

Rhiannon Lambert, Registered Nutritionist and Symprove ambassador says, “This research shows just how confusing health terms have become for people, particularly in January when motivation to look after our bodies is at its highest.  With so many buzzwords in circulation, it is easy to feel like you are doing something wrong or to jump from one fad to the next.

“Gut health is one of the most misunderstood areas, but it does not need to be complicated.  Understanding the basics around the role of good bacteria and how they can support digestion, immunity and even mood can help people make more confident, sustainable choices.  Rather than chasing trends, focusing on evidence-based habits that support the gut can make a real difference and help people stick to their health goals beyond January.”

Despite, one in three (32%) admitting they start every January being more mindful about their health, 84% struggle to keep it up, throwing in the towel after an average of just 14 days.

Losing motivation after a stressful day (44%), no willpower (42%), getting bored (35%), being tempted by unhealthy food (35%) and craving sweet food (30%) are the main reasons for breaking a health kick.

A quarter (24%) admit they can’t be bothered, especially in the dark evenings to eat healthily and go to the gym, while 21% are just too tired to work out – even though 39% say they have bought all the gym gear.

And when we do throw in the towel, 78% feel guilty.

But do no despair as health expert Rhiannon Lambert has deciphered the 20 most confusing health terms for Brits here…

THE 20 MOST CONFUSING HEALTH TERMS (AND THEIR MEANING):

 

1. Synbiotics (foods that combine probiotics and prebiotics to boost gut health) – 96%
2. Polyphenols (plant compounds that act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories) – 95%
3. FODMAP (which stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols and refers to a group of short-chain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and ferment in the large intestine, causing gas, bloating, pain) – 95%
4. Bioavailability (a pharmacological and nutritional term describing the degree and rate at which a substance is absorbed into the circulatory system and becomes available at its target site of action) – 94%
5. Gut microbiota (Gut microbiota, gut microbiome, or gut flora are the microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses, that live in the digestive tracts) – 93%
6. Non-GMO (a food product does not contain ingredients that have been genetically engineered) – 88%
7. Microbiome (the community of all microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, viruses, and their genes living in a specific environment) – 88%
8. Macronutrients or macros (the protein, carbohydrates, and fats which make up our diets) – 86%
9. Gut flora (microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses, that live in the digestive tract) – 84%
10. Live bacteria supplements (supplements that contain beneficial live microorganisms that support gut health, digestion, immunity, and potentially mood by balancing gut flora, fighting bad bacteria, and aiding nutrient absorption) – 84%
11. Cortisol (a vital steroid hormone from the adrenal glands, often called the “stress hormone,” crucial for managing blood sugar, blood pressure, inflammation, and the body’s “fight or flight” response) – 80%
12. Prebiotics (non-digestible fibres and compounds in plant foods that act as fertilizer for beneficial gut bacteria) – 79%
13. Serotonin (a crucial chemical messenger vital for regulating mood, sleep, appetite, digestion, learning, and memory) – 76%
14. Fermentation (a metabolic process where microorganisms break down carbs into simpler substances to produce energy) – 75%
15. Superfood (nutrient-dense foods packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fibre) – 74%
16. Dopamine (a crucial neurotransmitter and hormone in the brain and body, often called the “feel-good chemical,” vital for reward, motivation, mood, movement, and attention) – 72%
17. Probiotics (live microorganisms, like beneficial bacteria and yeasts, that provide health benefits, primarily by supporting a healthy gut microbiome) – 66%
18. Ultra processed foods (Ultra-processed foods are industrial formulations made from substances extracted from whole foods like fats, starches, sugars and additives) – 65%
19. Collagen (the body’s most abundant protein, providing structure, strength, and elasticity to skin, bones, muscles, tendons, and connective tissues) – 65%
20. Omega-3s (essential polyunsaturated fats (like ALA, EPA, DHA) vital for heart, brain, and eye health, found in oily fish, nuts, and seeds) – 63%