TechnologyJuly 16, 2026

adaptogen

/əˈdæptəˌdʒɛn/

Definition

Natural substances, such as specific botanicals, believed to help the body resist stressors and maintain physiological balance.

Etymology

The term is a combination of the word 'adapt' (from Latin adaptare, to adjust) and the suffix '-gen' (from Greek genes, meaning 'born of' or 'producing'). It was coined in the mid-20th century to describe substances that help an organism adapt to environmental stress.

In the news

In the article, the author highlights adaptogens as high-performance ingredients that present formulation challenges, such as bitterness and solubility issues, when used in mainstream health snacks and beverages.

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