Antimicrobial peptides are small, naturally occurring peptides produced by immune cells and epithelial cells to inhibit or ward off pathogens (harmful invading microorganisms) such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi (Bahar & Ren, 2013).

Antioxidants are substances that protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules generated during normal metabolic processes. They neutralize free radicals by donating electrons, helping to prevent oxidative stress and associated health issues.

Anxiety is an emotion we experience when we anticipate danger, but that danger has not yet materialized. In such a situation, we experience a sense of uncertainty as we prepare for what might happen, even if the threat is not immediate or we are not even sure what the nature of the threat might be. Sometimes, the threat might not even (objectively) exist.

Appetite regulation is a complex feedback system between the hypothalamus, peripheral organs, and physiological, psychological, and environmental variables controlling energy balance, hunger, and satiety.

Our ability to control and regulate our dietary intake, including when, what, and how much we eat.

Atheoretical means “not based on or connected to any specific theory.” In research or academic contexts, if something is described as atheoretical, it means it does not rely on, reference, or develop a particular theoretical framework or set of guiding principles. Instead, it may simply present data, observations, or findings without attempting to explain them using established theories. For example, an atheoretical study on eating habits might collect and report data about what people eat, but it would not interpret the results using psychological or nutritional theories about why people make those choices.

Attention is a complex term that can refer to a general level of alertness or vigilance, a general state of arousal, orientation versus habituation to a stimuli, and the ability to focus, divide, or sustain mental effort.

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a subdivision of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) that regulates the body’s vital functions, such as blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and digestion. It is further subdivided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems (Gibbons, 2019).