These words describe conditions that are positive in their effect on health or financial well-being. Beneficial is general and relatively formal. While it can refer to financial well-being, it more naturally applies to things conductive to mental or physical health: government programmes beneficial to the poor; a sunny day’s beneficial influence on my darkest moods; milk and vegetables beneficial to a growing child. In one sense, it suggests something that is an added help, but is not strictly necessary: a friendship beneficial to both of them. Good is, of course, the most general word here and the least formal; it has a multitude of uses in pointing to what promotes financial or physical strength: a good climate; good circulation; a good business proposal; a good stock. Its very generality invites the substitution of a more precise synonym.

Advantageous and profitable are words which carry overtones of financial well-being. Advantageous can, of course, refer to anything chosen for its desirability or to improve one’s situation: a more advantageous view of the sunset; resorts advantageous to the husband-hunting secretary. More often, an actual monetary gain is present or implied: an advantageous position in his firm. Profitable is even clearer on this score: a profitable business in a profitable location; Good looks are a more profitable commodity in Hollywood than talent and hard work. In Victorian times, profitable was often used for something beneficial to the development of character: a profitable book to read for spiritual guidance. This use is less frequent today.

The rest of these words relate more specifically to the promoting of health. Healthful is now fairly restricted in its use. When it is employed it refers to what will give good health or what is conducive to it: the healthful properties of certain foods. On most occasions the term healthy is used, and one has to determine from context whether it means the state of possessing health (see under HEALTHY) or what will give health. Thus the ailing person is concerned with healthy climates and healthy foods, while both he and the healthy person appreciate healthy exercise and healthy activities. Wholesome suggests less the promoting of well-being than the inherently good or healthy situation in and for itself. It also carries a tone of moral uplift and is as often used of mental as of physical health: a wholesome film for the whole family; wholesome food; wholesome good looks. Its overtones become clear when on considers that some healthy activities might decidedly not be considered wholesome in many situations.

Salutary suggests the correcting of a physical or mental lack: a salutary diet for anemia; sea breezes salutary to insomniacs; an editorial salutary in its fierce honesty and forthright proposals. Salubrious is comparable to but more intense than salutary , suggesting a positive physical or mental enrichment, without suggesting any previous impoverishment. It also describes any invigorating or stimulating experience: the salubrious mineral waters of the spa; the salubrious effects of a long ocean voyage; a salubrious shock to the complacent middle-classes.