Clipping Board » Dangerous Medicinal Tonics ─ Nutrients should be moderate in the body—excessive supplementation only becomes a burden.
2010-07-23 China Times
By Tsao Hsiu-yun / Taipei Report
Taiwanese love health supplements! According to a survey, over a quarter of Taiwanese people consider vitamins and health supplements, rather than three daily meals, as their must-have. Last year, sales of health supplements in Taiwan reached NT$75.9 billion, and this year, the overall market size is estimated to hit NT$84 billion.
To put this into perspective, the construction cost of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, was US$1.5 billion (approximately NT$47.7 billion). In terms of health supplement consumption, Taiwanese spend nearly the equivalent of two Burj Khalifas in a year.
Statistics from pharmaceutical and cosmetic retailers show that the best-selling health supplement this year remains the ever-popular vitamin. For instance, Cosmed, a chain with 316 outlets across Taiwan, sells over a million vitamin pills annually, with energy-boosting vitamin B complex being the most popular, accounting for over 50% of sales. Following closely are joint and bone health supplements, tonic beverages, liver-protecting supplements, and beauty drinks for maintaining youth.
A Nielsen survey reveals that 56% of Taiwanese use vitamin-enriched health supplements, tying with the U.S. for the third-highest consumption rate globally. The Philippines and Thailand top the list, while Lithuania ranks second. Notably, 27% of Taiwanese—more than a quarter—consume health supplements daily, while only 1% use them just once a month.
A 35-year-old office worker surnamed Lin shared that he spends over NT$3,000 a month on health supplements, taking five to six types daily. He regularly uses multivitamins and joint supplements, adds vitamin B complex when fatigued, and drinks clam extract or beauty drinks when his complexion looks dull. He believes "preventive care is more effective than treatment."
Why are Taiwanese so fond of health supplements? Industry surveys attribute this to lifestyle changes, such as the rise of dining out, work-related stress, chronic sleep deprivation, and shifts in dietary habits like increased consumption of refined foods, fast food, and gourmet cuisine. Modern health issues—obesity, overwork, the "three highs" (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia), and the spread of preventive medicine awareness—have heightened health consciousness. Under the influence of the "prevention is better than cure" mindset and marketing, the health supplement market continues to thrive.
Nielsen data shows that Taiwan’s health supplement sales grew 14% from NT$66.4 billion in 2008 to NT$75.9 billion in 2009. This year, the figure is projected to reach NT$84 billion. The Taiwan Institute of Economic Research forecasts a growth rate exceeding 10% annually over the next three years, likely surpassing the NT$90 billion mark next year—soon enough to "consume" two Burj Khalifas.
Source: http:/ / life. chinatimes. com/ 2……0302+112010072300081,00. html
Craze for Health Supplements: Taiwanese Spend NT$84 Billion Annually
By Tsao Hsiu-yun / Taipei Report
Taiwanese love health supplements! According to a survey, over a quarter of Taiwanese people consider vitamins and health supplements, rather than three daily meals, as their must-have. Last year, sales of health supplements in Taiwan reached NT$75.9 billion, and this year, the overall market size is estimated to hit NT$84 billion.
To put this into perspective, the construction cost of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, was US$1.5 billion (approximately NT$47.7 billion). In terms of health supplement consumption, Taiwanese spend nearly the equivalent of two Burj Khalifas in a year.
Statistics from pharmaceutical and cosmetic retailers show that the best-selling health supplement this year remains the ever-popular vitamin. For instance, Cosmed, a chain with 316 outlets across Taiwan, sells over a million vitamin pills annually, with energy-boosting vitamin B complex being the most popular, accounting for over 50% of sales. Following closely are joint and bone health supplements, tonic beverages, liver-protecting supplements, and beauty drinks for maintaining youth.
A Nielsen survey reveals that 56% of Taiwanese use vitamin-enriched health supplements, tying with the U.S. for the third-highest consumption rate globally. The Philippines and Thailand top the list, while Lithuania ranks second. Notably, 27% of Taiwanese—more than a quarter—consume health supplements daily, while only 1% use them just once a month.
A 35-year-old office worker surnamed Lin shared that he spends over NT$3,000 a month on health supplements, taking five to six types daily. He regularly uses multivitamins and joint supplements, adds vitamin B complex when fatigued, and drinks clam extract or beauty drinks when his complexion looks dull. He believes "preventive care is more effective than treatment."
Why are Taiwanese so fond of health supplements? Industry surveys attribute this to lifestyle changes, such as the rise of dining out, work-related stress, chronic sleep deprivation, and shifts in dietary habits like increased consumption of refined foods, fast food, and gourmet cuisine. Modern health issues—obesity, overwork, the "three highs" (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia), and the spread of preventive medicine awareness—have heightened health consciousness. Under the influence of the "prevention is better than cure" mindset and marketing, the health supplement market continues to thrive.
Nielsen data shows that Taiwan’s health supplement sales grew 14% from NT$66.4 billion in 2008 to NT$75.9 billion in 2009. This year, the figure is projected to reach NT$84 billion. The Taiwan Institute of Economic Research forecasts a growth rate exceeding 10% annually over the next three years, likely surpassing the NT$90 billion mark next year—soon enough to "consume" two Burj Khalifas.
Source: http:/ / life. chinatimes. com/ 2……0302+112010072300081,00. html