Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology

Peristalsis is a wave-like muscular movement (i.e., involuntary muscle contraction and relaxation in a continuous pattern) that occurs throughout the GIT, facilitating food movement (Feher, 2017).

Permeability refers to the ability of nutrients, microorganisms, and other constituents to pass through the cellular lining of any barrier. We will refer to it regarding the intestines and the…

Personality refers to the enduring set of traits and styles that an individual exhibits, representing both dispositions—natural tendencies or personal inclinations—and ways in which the person differs from societal norms…

A personality trait is a consistent internal characteristic and persistent tendency to think, feel, and behave similarly across time and situations (Farrington & Jolliffe, 2001),.

Peyer’s patches have an oval-shaped structure and are part of gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) found along the entire length of the small intestine, just below the intestinal epithelium. Peyer’s patches…

Phagocytes are a group of cells, including neutrophils and macrophages, that can engulf and digest foreign particles, such as bacteria and debris. They are essential components of the innate immune…

Phagocytosis is a process in which cells, typically specialized immune cells like macrophages and neutrophils, engulf and digest foreign particles, such as bacteria or cellular debris. This mechanism is crucial…

A phylum is a major category for classifying living organisms based on shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships. It helps organize diverse species into broad groups.

Phytochemicals are bioactive, non-nutrient compounds naturally produced by plants as part of their secondary metabolism, primarily serving protective functions for the plant such as defense against pathogens, ultraviolet radiation, and…

Plant-based diets include a variety of eating patterns that prioritize plant-derived foods, ranging from fully plant-exclusive diets like veganism to those that include some animal products, such as vegetarian or…