Factors affecting consumers’ decisions on the use of nutraceuticals: a systematic review

Abstract

There is a high and increasing global prevalence of nutraceuticals use. This study aims to systematically review and critically appraise all available evidence to identify the factors affecting consumers' decisions in taking nutraceuticals. Questionnaire, interview or focus group studies which directly reported factors affecting consumers' decisions in using nutraceuticals were included. A thematic synthesis method was employed to synthesis the findings from the included studies. Out of the 76 studies included, the key factors identified as the most important factors motivating consumers to take nutraceuticals were the perceived health benefits and safety of nutraceuticals, as well as the advice from healthcare professionals, friends and family. The identified barriers to take nutraceuticals were a lack of belief in the health benefit of nutraceuticals, the high cost of nutraceuticals and consumers' lack of knowledge about nutraceuticals. As a chief course of recommendation for the use of nutraceuticals, healthcare professionals should strive to utilise reliable information from clinical evidence to help consumers in making an informed decision in using nutraceuticals. Future studies should explore the possible ways to improve channelling clinical evidence information of nutraceuticals to the public.

Evaluation of nutritional supplements prescribed, its associated cost and patients knowledge, attitude and practice towards nutraceuticals: A hospital based cross-sectional study in Kavrepalanchok, Nepal

“…Our study showed that majority of the patients (70%), mainly perceived nutraceutical as drugs which help to maintain good health, 39.25% thought the use can aid in the treatment of their illnesses 31.25% ensure adequate nutrition and 35.5% prevent diseases. Similar findings were reported by Teoh SL et al in which maintenance of good health, preventing future illnesses along with perceived health benefits of nutraceuticals especially in the current situation where consumption of fruits and vegetables loaded with pesticides pose a significant challenge in sustaining health condition of the general public were identified as the main factors affecting the consumer's decision to consume nutraceutical [18].…”

“…Regarding the attitude towards nutraceuticals, majority of participants perceived that nutraceuticals prevent chronic diseases (60.5%, n = 242) or even cancer (35.3%, n = 141) in contrary to the findings of Gosavi et al, where none of the patients believed that nutraceuticals had been prescribed to prevent chronic illnesses [ 17 ]. Despite the prominent use of nutraceuticals, a sheer lack of clinical evidence to reinforce the health claim of chronic disease or cancer prevention has been reported [ 18 , 24 ]. The majority felt the need for some regulatory body to survey the manufacture and sale of nutraceuticals and voted for its’ categorization under prescription-only products.…”

“…Nutraceuticals are gaining a widespread market share globally, with China and India taking giant leaps as the fast-moving markets [ 12 ] and thus Nepal cannot remain untouched by this influential global growth rate. Although, the price of nutraceuticals has been identified as a determining factor to its purchase and consumption, its use has also been anticipated by many as a way of preventing chronic illnesses which may cost them a more significant deal of money [ 18 ].…”

“…An interviewer-administered questionnaire (See S1 File) was designed after reviewing the previous similar studies with some modifications [16][17][18]. The questionnaire was reviewed and subjected to a validation process.…”

Factors Associated with Consumer Knowledge of Garlic Health Properties, Garlic Preparation Knowledge and Garlic Intake

“…Consumers are aware of many functional food benefits. One study investigating consumer perceptions of functional foods found that the incentives to purchase functional foods were primarily based in the belief that they could increase overall health and longevity, as well as reduce the risk of various medical conditions (Teoh, Ngorsuraches, Lai, Bangpan & Chaiyakunapruk, 2019). However, the consumption functional foods do not necessarily coincide with an increased acquisition of health benefits, as cooking and preparation techniques can both positively and negatively alter the metabolic activity of the functional components (Lee, Choi, Jeong, Lee, & Sung, 2017).…”