According to Gram Research analysis of a 2026 survey of 666 adults in Saudi Arabia, 40% currently use dietary supplements, but only 32% feel confident they know the correct doses. People who follow special diets are 2.4 times more likely to use supplements, and those with higher self-rated knowledge are significantly more likely to be users. The internet dominates as an information source at 57%, while only 3.9% rely on pharmacists, even though 56% of users consulted a health professional before starting supplements.
A new survey of 725 adults in Saudi Arabia found that 40% currently use dietary supplements like vitamins, but most don’t feel confident about proper dosing. While people generally think supplements are safe and get information mostly from the internet, only about half consult a health professional before starting them. Gram Research analysis shows that people who follow special diets are more likely to use supplements, and those with higher confidence in their knowledge tend to be regular users. The study highlights a gap between how common supplement use is and how well-informed people actually are about using them safely.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional survey of 666 adults in Saudi Arabia found that 40.1% currently use dietary supplements, yet only 32% agreed they knew the correct doses.
According to research reviewed by Gram, people following special diets in Saudi Arabia were 2.44 times more likely to use dietary supplements compared to those without special diets.
In a 2026 Saudi Arabian survey of 725 respondents, 57% named the internet as their leading source for supplement information, while only 3.9% cited pharmacists as their primary information source.
A 2026 analysis of 666 supplement users in Saudi Arabia found that those rating their knowledge as poor were 89% less likely to use supplements compared to those with excellent self-rated knowledge.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether people in Saudi Arabia know enough about dietary supplements and what attitudes they have toward using them, and what factors predict who uses supplements.
- Who participated: 725 adults living in Saudi Arabia who took an online survey between March and June 2026. The group was mostly young, male, and based in Riyadh. The final analysis included 666 people.
- Key finding: Four out of 10 adults use dietary supplements regularly, but only about one-third feel they know the correct doses. People who rated their own knowledge as excellent were much more likely to use supplements compared to those who rated their knowledge as poor.
- What it means for you: If you take supplements in Saudi Arabia, you’re not alone, but you should make sure you understand proper dosing. Talking to a pharmacist or doctor before starting supplements is important, since most people currently get their information from the internet rather than health professionals.
The Research Details
Researchers created an Arabic survey about supplement knowledge, attitudes, and use, then sent it online to adults in Saudi Arabia over three months. People answered questions about whether they currently use supplements, how much they know about proper doses, where they get information, and what they think about supplement safety. The researchers then looked at which factors were connected to supplement use by comparing users and non-users.
This type of study, called a cross-sectional survey, takes a snapshot of a group at one point in time rather than following people over months or years. It’s useful for understanding what’s happening right now and identifying patterns, but it cannot prove that one thing causes another. The survey used convenience sampling, meaning researchers recruited people who were easiest to reach online rather than randomly selecting from the entire population.
Understanding how people use supplements and where they get information is important for public health. If most people learn about supplements from the internet rather than health professionals, there’s a risk they might get incomplete or incorrect information. This study helps identify where education efforts should focus.
The study has some important limitations to consider. The sample was not randomly selected, so it may not represent all adults in Saudi Arabia equally. The group was mostly young, male, and from Riyadh, which means the results might not apply to older adults, women, or people in other regions. Additionally, because this is a cross-sectional study, we cannot determine whether better knowledge leads to supplement use or whether using supplements leads people to learn more about them. The study relied on people’s own ratings of their knowledge, which may not match their actual understanding.
What the Results Show
Among the 666 adults analyzed, 270 people (40.1%) reported currently using dietary supplements. Nearly all respondents (97.4%) had heard of dietary supplements, showing they’re very common in Saudi Arabia. However, only 32% agreed that they knew the correct doses for supplements, revealing a significant knowledge gap.
When researchers looked at what predicted supplement use, they found that people who follow special diets (like vegetarian, low-carb, or medical diets) were 2.4 times more likely to use supplements than those who don’t follow special diets. More importantly, people’s self-rated knowledge and attitudes strongly predicted use. Those who rated their knowledge as moderate were 66% less likely to use supplements compared to those with excellent self-rated knowledge. Those with poor self-rated knowledge were 89% less likely to use supplements.
Similarly, attitudes mattered significantly. People with neutral attitudes toward supplements were 60% less likely to use them, and those with negative attitudes were 93% less likely to use them compared to those with positive attitudes. This suggests that people who use supplements tend to feel more confident about their knowledge and have more favorable views about supplement safety.
Among current supplement users, most took them daily (69.4%), and vitamins were by far the most popular type (83.5% of users). More than half of supplement users (56.4%) had consulted a health professional before starting supplements, which is encouraging. However, the internet was the dominant information source for learning about supplements (57% of respondents), while only 3.9% named pharmacists as their primary information source. This suggests that professional guidance is underutilized despite being available. The vast majority of respondents (82.9%) agreed that dietary supplements are safe when used correctly, indicating generally favorable attitudes toward supplements.
This study adds to existing research showing that supplement use is common in many countries, not just Saudi Arabia. The finding that knowledge and attitudes predict use aligns with previous studies in other populations. However, the particularly low reliance on pharmacists as information sources in this Saudi Arabian sample is notable and may reflect differences in how healthcare systems are structured or how people access health information in the region.
The study cannot prove cause and effect because it only looked at people at one moment in time. We don’t know if people with better knowledge choose to use supplements, or if using supplements motivates them to learn more. The sample was not randomly selected, so results may not represent all Saudi Arabians equally. The group skewed toward younger, male, and Riyadh-based participants, so findings may differ for older adults, women, or people in other cities. The study relied on self-reported information, which can be less accurate than objective measures. Additionally, the cross-sectional design means we cannot track whether supplement use or knowledge changes over time.
The Bottom Line
If you use dietary supplements, take time to learn the correct doses for each supplement you take (moderate confidence recommendation based on this study’s findings). Consult a pharmacist or doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you follow a special diet (strong recommendation, as over half of users in this study did this). Be cautious about relying solely on internet information for supplement guidance, and seek professional advice to verify what you find online (moderate confidence recommendation). If you don’t currently use supplements but are considering them, make sure you understand the basics about safety and proper dosing before starting.
This research matters most for people in Saudi Arabia who use or are considering using dietary supplements. It’s especially relevant for people following special diets, since they’re more likely to use supplements. Healthcare providers, pharmacists, and public health officials in Saudi Arabia should pay attention to the finding that most people get supplement information from the internet rather than professionals. If you live outside Saudi Arabia, the general patterns about knowledge gaps and internet reliance may still apply to your region.
This study is a snapshot in time, so it doesn’t tell us how quickly benefits appear or how long changes take. If you start consulting professionals about supplements instead of relying only on internet sources, you might notice improved confidence in your choices within weeks. However, actual health benefits from supplements depend on many factors and vary by individual.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of people in Saudi Arabia use dietary supplements?
According to a 2026 survey of 666 adults, 40.1% currently use dietary supplements. Vitamins were the most popular type, used by 83.5% of supplement users, and most took them daily.
Do people in Saudi Arabia know how to use supplements correctly?
Only 32% of respondents agreed they knew the correct doses for supplements, despite 97.4% having heard of them. Most people get information from the internet (57%) rather than pharmacists (3.9%), which may contribute to knowledge gaps.
What makes someone more likely to use dietary supplements?
Following a special diet increases supplement use likelihood by 2.4 times. People with higher self-rated knowledge and more positive attitudes toward supplements are significantly more likely to use them regularly.
Should I talk to a doctor before taking supplements?
Yes, professional consultation is recommended. In this study, 56.4% of supplement users consulted a health professional before starting, which is more reliable than relying solely on internet information for dosing and safety guidance.
Are dietary supplements considered safe in Saudi Arabia?
Most respondents (82.9%) agreed that supplements are safe when used correctly. However, safety depends on proper dosing and individual health factors, which is why consulting a pharmacist or doctor before starting supplements is important.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Log each supplement you take daily, including the name, dose, and time taken. Rate your confidence level (1-10) about whether you’re taking the correct dose. Track whether you consulted a health professional before starting each supplement.
- Set a reminder to research one supplement per week using professional sources (pharmacist websites, medical databases, or your doctor’s guidance) rather than general internet searches. Log the source of information for each supplement and note any corrections to your dosing based on professional advice.
- Monthly, review your supplement list and check whether you’ve consulted a professional about each one. Track the percentage of your supplements where you feel confident about the correct dose. Aim to increase professional consultation from the current 56% toward 100% over time.
This research describes patterns of supplement use and knowledge in a specific Saudi Arabian population and should not be interpreted as medical advice. Individual supplement needs vary based on age, health status, medications, and other factors. Before starting any dietary supplement, consult with a healthcare provider or pharmacist to determine whether it’s appropriate for you and to confirm proper dosing. This study was conducted with a convenience sample that may not represent all populations equally. The cross-sectional design cannot establish cause and effect relationships. Always verify supplement information through professional healthcare sources rather than relying solely on internet information.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.