What's commonly discussed — for how you want to feel.

An orange carotenoid pigment characteristic of carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and dark leafy greens; one of the plant precursors the body converts to vitamin A.

A soluble fiber found in oats and mushrooms, studied for effects on cholesterol and often discussed with gut health.

A stimulant found in tea, coffee, and cacao. One of the most studied compounds; commonly discussed in relation to alertness, and — when taken later in the day — sleep.

The pungent compound characteristic of chili peppers.

One of the most studied supplements. Commonly discussed in relation to strength and recovery, and more recently in relation to mental energy and focus.

A pair of yellow carotenoid pigments characteristic of leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and collard greens, and also found in egg yolk.

A red carotenoid pigment characteristic of tomatoes, watermelon, and pink grapefruit.

A sulfur compound formed when garlic is crushed or chopped.

Pigments that give berries, purple cabbage, and black rice their deep colors. A well-known family of polyphenols in antioxidant research.

A red-orange carotenoid pigment characteristic of salmon, trout, and shrimp, originally produced by microalgae.

Red-violet pigments characteristic of beets.

Polyphenols concentrated in green tea and matcha. Often discussed in relation to antioxidant interest and alertness.

A polyphenol characteristic of coffee, and also found in blueberries.

The yellow polyphenol pigment characteristic of turmeric.

A polyphenol characteristic of raspberries, strawberries, walnuts, and pomegranate.

A sulfur-containing amino acid derivative particularly concentrated in mushrooms, and also found in oats and tempeh.

A small amino acid abundant in collagen. Often discussed in relation to sleep quality and skin.

An amino acid found mainly in tea leaves. Often discussed in relation to calm focus, especially alongside caffeine.

A large family of plant compounds found in berries, cacao, tea, and colorful vegetables. Widely studied for antioxidant properties.

A plant flavonoid characteristic of onions, apples, kale, and capers.

A naturally occurring polyamine compound found in foods such as natto, tempeh, mushrooms, and aged cheese.

A sulfur-containing compound formed from glucosinolates in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage.

An amino acid found naturally in the body and in seafood and meat; also added to some drinks and sold as a supplement.

A compound produced by gut bacteria from ellagitannins, which are found in pomegranate, raspberries, and walnuts.

A compound the body makes and that is also found in meat and fish; sold as a supplement in ubiquinone or ubiquinol form.

Plant compounds found in soy foods such as tofu and natto, often discussed in relation to skin and healthy aging.

A compound the body makes from amino acids and that is also found in red meat; sold as a supplement.

Live microorganisms found in fermented foods such as yogurt, kimchi, and natto. Often discussed in relation to gut health; effects appear strain-specific.

A polyphenol found in the skins of grapes and in some berries such as blueberries.

An amino acid involved in cellular energy metabolism, found in small amounts in fermented foods. A newer topic often discussed with energy.

A plant flavonoid found in parsley, celery, and chamomile.

A plant flavonoid found in strawberries, apples, and other fruits and vegetables.

An amino acid that is a major building block of collagen, and commonly discussed alongside skin and connective tissue.

A gentle stimulant related to caffeine, found mainly in cacao. Often discussed in relation to mood and mild alertness.

The main acid in vinegar, responsible for its sour taste; it is the characteristic component of products such as apple cider vinegar and black vinegar.

Alpha-glycerophosphocholine (Alpha-GPC), a choline-containing compound used as an ingredient in some nootropic products.

The branched-chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine — three essential amino acids found in protein-rich foods and sports-nutrition products.

A naturally occurring amino acid, commonly included in sports-nutrition and pre-workout products.

Trimethylglycine (betaine), an amino-acid derivative naturally found in beets and other foods, used as a supplement ingredient.

Bromelain, a mixture of protein-digesting (proteolytic) enzymes obtained from the stem and fruit of the pineapple plant (Ananas comosus); used as a supplement ingredient.

Glucosylceramide, a glycosphingolipid (a ceramide joined to a sugar) found in plants such as rice, wheat, and konjac; used as a supplement ingredient.

The green pigment found in plants and algae such as chlorella and spirulina.

Chondroitin sulfate, a component of cartilage and connective tissue, often paired with glucosamine in joint-care products.

Citicoline (CDP-choline), a choline-containing compound used as an ingredient in some nootropic products.

The essential amino acids — the group of amino acids the body cannot make itself and obtains from food or supplements.

A compound formed from the soy isoflavone daidzein. Some people's gut bacteria produce it; it is also sold as a supplement ingredient.

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid found in oils such as evening primrose, borage, and blackcurrant seed; used as a supplement ingredient.

A tripeptide made of the amino acids cysteine, glycine, and glutamate. It is an antioxidant naturally present in the body and used as a supplement ingredient.

Beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), a metabolite of the amino acid leucine, used as an ingredient in some sports-nutrition products.

A carbohydrate-based molecule naturally present in skin and connective tissue, used as a supplement and cosmetic ingredient.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a form of the amino acid cysteine. The body can use cysteine as a building block for glutathione. Sold as a supplement ingredient.

An enzyme extracted from natto, a traditional Japanese fermented-soybean food.

Nitrate (NO3−) is a naturally occurring inorganic ion found in leafy greens and root vegetables such as beetroot, spinach, and rocket; dietary nitrate is one of the compounds these plants carry.

Oleuropein, a phenolic compound (a secoiridoid) found in olive leaves and olive fruit; it is the characterizing constituent of olive leaf extract.

An amino acid involved in the body's urea cycle, found in foods such as shijimi clams and used as a supplement ingredient.

A phospholipid naturally present in cell membranes, used as an ingredient in some nootropic products.

Polymethoxyflavones (PMFs), a group of plant flavonoids found in citrus peel and in black ginger (Kaempferia parviflora); used as a characterizing ingredient in some supplements.

A soluble dietary fiber made from starch, also called indigestible dextrin; used in fiber supplements and functional foods.

A lignan compound found in sesame seeds, used as an antioxidant supplement ingredient.