Council for Responsible Nutrition reveals pre-COVID-19 continuity in dietary supplements demand

14 Oct 2022 --- The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) is unveiling its initial findings from its 2022 consumer survey on dietary supplements, showing that 75% of Americans are using dietary supplements on the same levels as before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While overall usage is down slightly from its pandemic peak, reported usage of immunity-boosting supplements including vitamin D, vitamin C and zinc is steady from last year,” says Brian Wommack, senior vice president of communications at CRN.

“This year’s data shows a remarkable picture of continuity and paints the landscape of a vibrant, mainstream industry.”

Supplement use post-pandemic
The study was conducted through an online survey and included 3,133 adults above 18 years old, where 2,342 said to regularly, seasonally or occasionally use supplements.

The council explains that COVID-19 is no longer a top priority for many consumers. Changes in consumption are seen among consumers of different age groups and genders. However, lower-income white and Hispanic Americans showed a more drastic decrease in dietary supplement consumption.

Women, older adults, highly educated and high-income people reported higher usage of supplements.On the contrary, women, older adults, highly educated and high-income people reported a higher usage. The council does not elaborate on the reason behind these differences.

A majority of consumers (52%) reported using specialty supplements such as probiotics, melatonin, fiber and omega 3. The most used one was multivitamins, consumed by 70% in the past year. The increased use of sports supplements was also significant, with a five-point increase resulting in 39% growth.

Trusting the industry
The CRN explained that trust in the dietary supplement also remains high. “More than three-quarters of Americans (77%) find the industry trustworthy. That number is even higher among supplement users (84%).”

Although trust from consumers is high, the CRN recently criticized the US Food and Drug Administration for “inconsistent messaging” and overemphasizing the adverse effects of dietary supplements rather than the benefits.

In September, the council expressed beliefs that dietary supplements play a significant role in reducing medical costs. The self-funded economic report showed that individuals at risk for certain diseases could benefit from preventive care in the form of dietary supplement consumption.

Meanwhile, organizations have expressed worries about the increased consumption of dietary supplements during the pandemic, as there is an overall lack of information on what the supplements actually contain.

The main reasons for supplement consumption are maintaining good health, living healthier or adopting healthier habits.

Wommack says: “Data consistently shows supplement users are much more likely to report engaging in healthy behaviors like exercising, eating a balanced diet, visiting their doctor regularly, and regularly getting a good night’s sleep.” He underscores that the answers are not surprising.

By Beatrice Wihlander