Among 495 adults in the metropolitan area of Naples, Southern Italy, 37.8% used nutraceuticals in the previous 12 months, misconceptions and limited risk awareness were widespread, and the authors conclude that clearer, evidence-based public communication is needed, combining healthcare professional counseling with eHealth literacy initiatives.
About 38% of surveyed adults in the Naples metropolitan area reported using nutraceuticals in the previous 12 months.
The Internet or social networks were the most frequently cited source of information about nutraceuticals.
In multivariate logistic regression, nutraceutical use was associated with higher educational level, interest in educational/informative initiatives on nutraceuticals, and not using the Internet or social networks to obtain nutraceutical information.
Using the Internet or social networks to acquire nutraceutical information was associated with younger age, belief that nutraceuticals are necessary even with a healthy diet, and disagreement that nutraceuticals are inherently safe because of natural origin.
Misconceptions and limited risk awareness regarding nutraceuticals were widespread in the sample.
This survey of 495 adults living around Naples, Southern Italy, asked about their knowledge, attitudes, and habits regarding nutraceuticals (food-derived products and supplements sold for health benefits). About 38% had used one in the past year, and nearly half named the Internet or social media as a main source of information about them. People with higher education and those interested in educational initiatives on nutraceuticals were more likely to be users. Those who did not use the Internet or social media for this information were also more likely to be users. Younger people, those who believed nutraceuticals are needed even with a healthy diet, and those who disagreed that natural products are inherently safe were more likely to look for information online. The authors found that misconceptions and limited awareness of risks were widespread. This research suggests that clearer, evidence-based communication, including advice from healthcare professionals and efforts to help younger adults evaluate online health information, could support more informed decisions. Because this was a cross-sectional survey in one region, it shows associations rather than cause and effect.
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Upload Your LabsDella Polla G, Catone M, Monda V, Napolitano F. (2026). Nutraceuticals or Food Supplements? Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Among Adults in Southern Italy.. Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland). https://doi.org/10.3390/medsci14060609