Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology

Incentive Sensitization is a theory proposing that repeated exposure to a rewarding stimulus—such as drugs or palatable food—leads to enhanced sensitivity of the brain’s dopaminergic systems to associated cues. This…

Incretins are gut-derived hormones released in response to food intake and are primarily responsible for metabolic functions such as stimulating insulin secretion and maintaining glucose homeostasis (Saini et al., 2015).

Inflammasomes are large protein complexes that play a central role in the immune system's response to infections and cellular stress. Inflammasomes are formed in response to specific signals and trigger…

Inflammation is the body's response to injury, infection, or irritants involving immune cell activation and the release of signaling molecules. Chronic inflammation can lead to tissue damage and is linked…

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, primarily Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, often linked to nutrient malabsorption and elevated risk of anxiety and depression.

Inflammatory depression refers to a subtype of depression where systemic chronic inflammation contributes to the condition's onset and persistence. Studies suggest that around one-quarter of individuals with depression may experience…

The involuntary or voluntary ability to withhold behavior. This capacity is generally considered an executive function at the voluntary level.

Injunctive social norms reflect what most group members think they should do (i.e., ‘you should eat more vegetables'). Thus, an injunctive norm involves one’s perception of what most others think…

The innate immune system is a subdivision of the immune system. It consists of various physical and chemical barriers that serve as the first line of defense against pathogens. The…

Attachment styles characterized by either high anxiety, high avoidance, or both.  They typically arise from caregivers being inconsistently responsive, distant, or both, which can impair emotional regulation and development. These…