Lycorexia is a rare eating disorder where someone obsessively craves tomatoes. The word is spelled /laɪkərek.siə/. The first syllable "lyco" refers to the Greek word for tomato, while "rexia" comes from the Greek word for appetite or desire. The tricky part of the spelling comes from the first vowel sound, which is technically spelled with a "y" in English but pronounced like a long "i" sound. This can make it difficult for people to spell correctly on the first try.
Lycorexia is a term coined from the fusion of two words: "lyco-", which refers to lycopene, a red pigment found in tomatoes and several other fruits and vegetables, and "-rexia," which means desire or appetite. It is a relatively new term used within the context of nutrition and dietary habits. Lycorexia can be defined as an excessive craving or obsession with consuming foods that are high in lycopene, such as tomatoes.
Individuals suffering from lycorexia may exhibit an intense desire to incorporate large amounts of lycopene-rich foods into their daily diet, often to an extreme extent. This desire may manifest as a compulsion to consume excessive quantities of tomatoes or tomato-based products, potentially dominating their food choices and meal planning. It is important to note that lycorexia is not recognized as a medical disorder and does not have a formal diagnostic criteria.
While lycopene offers numerous health benefits, including its role as a potent antioxidant, promoting heart health, and potentially reducing the risk of certain types of cancer, excessive focus on a single nutrient may lead to a narrowed and unbalanced diet. Consequently, individuals with lycorexia should strive for a varied nutrient intake to ensure a well-rounded diet.
In conclusion, lycorexia refers to an excessive craving or obsession with consuming lycopene-rich foods, particularly tomatoes. However, it is crucial to prioritize a balanced intake of all essential nutrients rather than solely fixating on one specific element of nutrition.
The word "lycorexia" is a combination of two parts: "lyco-" and "-rexia".
The first part, "lyco-", is derived from the Greek word "lýkos" (λύκος), meaning "wolf". It can also refer to the color "red" in Greek. However, in this context, it is associated with the term "lycopene", which is a red pigment found in tomatoes, watermelons, and several other fruits.
The second part, "-rexia", is derived from the Greek word "orexis" (ὄρεξις), which means "appetite" or "desire". It is commonly used in medical terms to describe eating disorders such as anorexia (lack of appetite) or bulimia (excessive appetite).