What term describes the additive influence of foods that have a beneficial effect on health?

The term that best describes the additive influence of foods that have a beneficial effect on health is food synergy. This concept emphasizes how different foods, when consumed together, can enhance each other's nutritional benefits beyond what would be expected from each food when consumed alone. For example, certain combinations of fruits, vegetables, or other food groups can increase the bioavailability of vitamins and minerals or provide complementary nutrients that work together to improve health outcomes.

Nutritional synergy, while related, typically focuses more on the interaction of specific nutrients rather than the broader concept of whole foods adding value together. Dietary supplements refer specifically to products taken to add nutrients to the diet, but they do not encompass the natural interactions between whole foods. Culinary fusion involves combining various culinary traditions and flavors, which does not directly relate to the health effects or additive benefits of food consumption. Thus, food synergy is the most accurate term for describing how foods can work together to positively impact health.