January 7, 2003 – According to statistics compiled by the American magazine Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ), major consumers of natural products1 (1.5% of the adult US population) bought 28% of all products sold in 2001. So-called “regular” consumers, although representing three times as many people (4.8%), bought , for their part, 36% of products sold during the same period.
The best-selling products are echinacea, gingko biloba, garlic and ginseng. Echinacea alone accounts for $ 300 million in sales each year, according to the National Institutes of Health.
According to the report of NBJ, the vast majority of Americans remain off-putting to natural products. Rare users and non-users of these products represent a total of 85.5% of the population (15.5% and 70% respectively).
In the latest edition of the journal Herbalgram (who published an article on the subject), these statistics are believed to challenge researchers’ positive perception of the long-term “strength” of the natural products industry. The author of the article also believes that consumers lack information on botany, the products of this science and their regulations. In addition (still according to the author), consumers remain vulnerable to the “disinformation” conveyed on these products.
The report of NBJ also points out that about 45% of Americans don’t take vitamins, 70% don’t take herbal supplements, and 75% don’t take minerals.
Stéphane Gagné – PasseportSanté.net
According to Herbalgram, no. 56, 2002.
1. In the report of NBJ, natural products are defined as dietary and vitamin supplements, natural or organic, as well as functional foods.
