As the New Year rolls in, many Brits are pledging to adopt healthier lifestyles, yet they find themselves floundering in a sea of confusing wellness terminology. A recent study highlights this gap in understanding, revealing that while 80% of people in the UK are keen to embrace well-being, they often pretend to grasp the health jargon that saturates advertisements, websites, and news articles.

The complexity of terms related to gut health, in particular, leaves many scratching their heads. According to the study conducted by the supplement company Symprove, a staggering 86% of Britons confess to being perplexed by the technical language used to describe what occurs in the gut and other wellness-related areas of the body.

Leading the list of confusing terms is “synbiotics,” with an overwhelming 96% of the 2,000 adults surveyed admitting they have no clue about its meaning, despite its prevalence in discussions about gut health.

Moreover, there is widespread confusion surrounding gut health terminology, with a significant number of respondents unable to differentiate between probiotics, misunderstood by 66%, and prebiotics, which baffle 79% of people.

Other scientific buzzwords like polyphenols and FODMAP also add to the bewilderment, with 95% of individuals failing to understand these terms, even though they frequently appear on food labels, menus, and diet plans. In response to this widespread confusion, the Daily Express has crafted a list of the top 20 wellness buzzwords, aiming to demystify and clarify these terms for the average person.

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%)