Abstract
BackgroundThe popularity of botanical products is on the rise in Europe, with consumers using them to complement their diets or to maintain health, and products are taken in many different forms (e.g. teas, juices, herbal medicinal products, plant food supplements (PFS)). However there is a scarcity of data on the usage of such products at European level.ObjectiveTo provide an overview of the characteristics and usage patterns of PFS consumers in six European countries.DesignData on PFS usage were collected in a cross-sectional, retrospective survey of PFS consumers using a bespoke frequency of PFS usage questionnaire.Subjects/settingA total sample of 2359 adult PFS consumers from Finland, Germany, Italy, Romania, Spain and the United Kingdom.Data analysesDescriptive analyses were conducted, with all data stratified by gender, age, and country. Absolute frequencies, percentages and 95% confidence intervals are reported.ResultsOverall, an estimated 18.8% of screened survey respondents used at least one PFS. Characteristics of PFS consumers included being older, well-educated, never having smoked and self-reporting health status as “good or very good”. Across countries, 491 different botanicals were identified in the PFS products used, with Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo), Oenothera biennis (Evening primrose) and Cynara scolymus (Artichoke) being most frequently reported; the most popular dose forms were capsules and pills/tablets. Most consumers used one product and half of all users took single-botanical products. Some results varied across countries.ConclusionsThe PlantLIBRA consumer survey is unique in reporting on usage patterns of PFS consumers in six European countries. The survey highlights the complexity of measuring the intake of such products, particularly at pan-European level. Incorporating measures of the intake of botanicals in national dietary surveys would provide much-needed data for comprehensive risk and benefit assessments at the European level.
Highlights
Botanicals and their derivatives/preparations are used throughout Europe for health purposes, with increased usage in the general population as well as among specific subgroups encompassing children and pregnant women or those suffering from diseases such as cancer among others [1,2,3,4]
The PlantLIBRA consumer survey is unique in reporting on usage patterns of plant food supplements (PFS) consumers in six European countries
The survey highlights the complexity of measuring the intake of such products, at pan-European level
Summary
Botanicals and their derivatives/preparations are used throughout Europe for health purposes, with increased usage in the general population as well as among specific subgroups encompassing children and pregnant women or those suffering from diseases such as cancer among others [1,2,3,4]. Botanicals are used in many different types of products, including foods, (teas and juices), food supplements such as plant food supplements (PFS), herbal medicinal products (HMP), homeopathic products, cosmetics, biocides etc [5]. These different product categories are regulated by specific legislation, depending on the intended use of the product. The popularity of botanical products is on the rise in Europe, with consumers using them to complement their diets or to maintain health, and products are taken in many different forms (e.g. teas, juices, herbal medicinal products, plant food supplements (PFS)). There is a scarcity of data on the usage of such products at European level
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