Last year, Spaniards spent more than 2 billion euros on dietary products, which places Spain as the fifth European market for this type of product and the third fastest growing. It did so by 5% in 2023, according to figures from the Spanish Association of Food Supplements (Afepadi), and has accumulated an expansion of close to 14% since 2020, when the pandemic reinforced the tendency of many people to search for and consume products with possible effects. beneficial for health, according to data from the Informa DBK Sector Observatory.
“Demographic aging, the higher incidence of chronic diseases, allergies and intolerances and the growing concern about improving health” are the reasons that, according to this report, favor the continued growth of demand for dietary products.
“75% of the Spanish population claims to have consumed some type of supplement during the last year,” explains an Afepadi spokesperson based on data from companies in the sector and a survey carried out by Fundación Mapfre. And he details that the consumption of this type of product is widespread among both men and women, especially in the 35 to 54 age group, “thus setting the average of the most common consumer at 48 years.”
And what products do they demand? According to the association of companies in the sector, the most widely consumed are food supplements (63% of the population takes them), followed by plant-based extracts (28%), prepared foods for athletes (19%) and products for weight control or loss (13%), among others.
In the field of food supplements, vitamin and mineral complexes, oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids, evening primrose, flax and other nut oils, probiotics and supplements with plant extracts such as ginseng, algae, melatonin are mainly consumed. , pollen, propolis, collagen, etc.
Seven out of ten people say they take them to improve their health, 35% to reduce fatigue and help the function of bones, cartilage and muscles, and 28% say they take them to treat diseases (osteoporosis, arthritis, asthma, gastrointestinal problems…) or prevent them even though these supplements do not treat or cure any pathology.
Among the products aimed at athletes, the most popular are energy bars, serums, shakes and other protein-based food preparations and special, isotonic or caffeinated drinks. Its consumption is more common among men between 18 and 45 years old, with university studies, concerned about their health and who are on a diet, and they take these preparations with the intention of improving their sports performance and replenishing energy and nutrients.
As for dietary products for weight control, the most used are those prepared to replace one or several meals a day, and their consumption is most widespread among women between 18 and 45 years old, although there is also an older group. who resorts to them to lose weight with the purpose of reducing the risk of diseases.
From Afepadi they emphasize that all these products “are considered food and as such are regulated by the extensive existing food regulations in terms of safety, safety, hygiene, labeling, advertising and presentation.” On the other hand, they point out that half of Spaniards who consume dietary products do so following the recommendations of a medical professional, and 37% do so on the advice of a pharmacist.
In fact, the pharmacy continues to be the main place to purchase vitamins or other supplements, and more than a quarter of those looking for products to control their weight also go there. On the other hand, preparations for athletes are purchased much more online or in supermarkets and large stores, while almost half of those made from plants are usually found in herbalists or health food stores.
According to the DBK sector report, in December 2023 there were more than a thousand companies in Spain authorized to produce or import food supplements, diet substitutes for weight control and foods for medical uses.
