ellagic acid

1 6.2

A natural chemical in some fruits and nuts that may protect cells from damage

noun
/ɪˈlædʒɪk ˈæsɪd/

Specialized

: ácido elágico

Blueberries contain high levels of ellagic acid.

Examples

Some researchers believe that ellagic acid may help protect cells from damage.
The nutritionist recommended eating more berries to increase your intake of ellagic acid.
Raspberries and pomegranates are rich in ellagic acid, which is studied for its health benefits.
Studies show that ellagic acid may help reduce inflammation.
Research suggests that ellagic acid may help reduce inflammation and support overall health.
You can find ellagic acid in foods like pomegranates and walnuts, which are known for their health benefits.
Ellagic acid increases skin's ability to hold moisture and has been shown to help fade dark spots caused by sun exposure.

Surface Forms

ellagic acid singular

ellagic acids plural

Morphology

ellagic + acid

The element 'ellagic' is a technical, non-productive lexical item with no independently transparent meaning for an average B1 learner, so knowing 'acid' only yields the generic notion of a type of acid. The specific sense (a natural antioxidant compound found in certain fruits and nuts) is specialized and cannot be derived from the constituent parts, making the phrase effectively idiomatic/terminological for learners.

Etymology

Ellagic acid may come from the old word 'gall' — the small, hard bumps on oak trees that people used for ink long ago. Chemists first found a similar substance in those 'galls' and later in fruits and nuts, so the name now refers to the natural compound found in those plants today.