Foods that help prevent disease: consumer attitudes and public policy implications

Abstract

States that over half of the adult US population (55 percent) believes in the disease‐preventative properties of natural foods such as fruits, vegetables and cereal grains. Consumer belief in the nutraceutical category has increased significantly in the past two years. The segmented nature of consumer beliefs, interest, and product preference in this new nutritional category suggest a more targeted approach to pubic health education policy, as well as marketing plans, when introducing consumers to the preventative health advantages of such foods.