An overview of consumer attitudes and beliefs about plant food supplements

Food Funct. 2011 Dec;2(12):747-52. doi: 10.1039/c1fo10109a. Epub 2011 Nov 14.

Abstract

The use of dietary supplements is increasing globally and this includes the use of plant food supplements (PFS). A variety of factors may be influencing this increased consumption including the increasing number of older people in society, mistrust in conventional medicine and the perception that natural is healthy. Consumer studies in this area are limited, with a focus on dietary supplements in general, and complicated by the use of certain plant food supplements as herbal medicines. Research indicates that higher use of dietary supplements has been associated with being female, being more educated, having a higher income, being white and being older, however the drivers for consumption of supplements are complex, being influenced by both demographic and health-related factors. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of current knowledge about the users and the determinants of usage of plant food supplements. With growing consumption of these products, the need for effective risk-benefit assessment becomes ever more important and an insight into who uses these types of products and why is an important starting point for any future science-based decisions made by policy makers, PFS manufacturers and ultimately by consumers themselves.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Attitude*
  • Consumer Behavior*
  • Dietary Supplements* / adverse effects
  • Dietary Supplements* / statistics & numerical data
  • Europe
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Plant Preparations / administration & dosage
  • Plant Preparations / adverse effects
  • Plants, Edible*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • United States

Substances

  • Plant Preparations