Searches for dietary supplements on Google break record

Brazil leads the ranking of interest in South America. The increase is not restricted to the generic term "food supplement". Queries for omega 3, magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and iron supplements also reached record levels of interest.

In Brazil, queries for the term doubled (+100%) between January 1st and August 20th, 2026 compared to the same period in 2021. In the world, growth almost tripled (+190%) when comparing the two periods.

In the evolution of interest over five years, research grew by 40% in Brazil and 70% worldwide. "What is the best supplement?", "What is the supplement for?" and "What is a dietary supplement?" were the three most asked questions by Brazilians.

Last Monday (17), Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) banned the manufacture, sale and use of food supplements from the SharkPro and Newfit brands due to irregularities in quality control and product adulteration, which may have contributed to the increase in the country this week.

For Alana Rocha, doctor and professor of endocrinology at Afya Educação Médica Vitória, there is a perception that the indiscriminate use of multivitamins would be a way to improve health, but the practice can bring risks.

"There is an extremely widespread myth today that the use of supplements in a self-medicated and indiscriminate way generates health. This is not related to health, does not improve health, does not improve longevity and brings a series of risks, he says.

For the former president and current coordinator of the international commission of SBEM (Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabology), Paulo Miranda, the increase in consumption does not mean that there is a real need for people to use supplementation.

“We are seeing a wave of increased use of supplements, much of it unnecessarily. Today, we see healthy people taking four, five, ten pills a day to stay healthy. That doesn't exist", he says.

According to Miranda, there are specific cases in which supplementation is indicated, such as certain situations of prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, pregnancy, bariatric surgery and identified nutritional deficiency.

The analysis can also start with food. A dietary assessment may show that a certain nutrient is not being consumed in sufficient quantity. In this case, the first step may be to adjust the diet; when this is not possible, supplementation may be necessary.

The consumer must check whether the companies that manufacture these supplements follow Anvisa's health standards. It is possible to consult the registration or notification number stated on the label in the agency's system, in addition to checking lists of irregular products, alerts and recalls.

Based on Google Trends, Folha forwarded the 15 most searched questions in Brazil in 2026 to endocrinologists, nutritionists and nutritionists. See the answers below, in order from most searched to least.1) WHAT IS THE BEST SUPPLEMENT?

There is no one supplement that is best for everyone. According to experts, the choice depends on the needs of each individual, considering diet, objective, symptoms, illnesses, medications and, when indicated, exams.

The product must be used to correct a deficiency or complement a diet that cannot provide a certain nutrient in sufficient quantity.

2) WHAT IS A SUPPLEMENT FOR?

The supplement serves to complement the diet when the diet does not provide a sufficient amount of a certain nutrient or other substance. It can be indicated in situations such as insufficient intake, dietary restrictions, greater nutritional demand and some situations related to sports.

It does not replace adequate nutrition and should be used according to individual needs.

3) WHAT IS A FOOD SUPPLEMENT?

"The supplement is an element that already exists in nature, normally present in food, that the industry can extract and concentrate", explains Rocha, from Afya.

It is a product intended for oral intake to complement the diet of healthy people with nutrients, bioactive substances, enzymes or probiotics.

It may contain vitamins, minerals, proteins, amino acids, creatine, fiber and other components authorized by Anvisa.

According to nutritionist Luna Azevedo, graduated from UniRio (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro), a dietary supplement is a category of food, not medicine. Therefore, "it should not be disclosed for the purpose of preventing, treating or curing diseases".

4) DO FOOD SUPPLEMENTS GET FAT?

It depends on the product and the dietary context, experts say.

Vitamins and minerals provide virtually no calories. Proteins, carbohydrates, high-calorie foods and fat-based products provide energy and can contribute to weight gain when added to the diet without adjustment.

Creatine, for example, can initially increase body weight by increasing the amount of water inside muscle cells, without meaning an increase in fat, according to Azevedo.

5) WHAT IS THE BEST MAGNESIUM SUPPLEMENT?

There is no one best way for everyone. The choice depends on the indication, the amount of elemental magnesium, absorption and gastrointestinal tolerance.

Citrate, chloride, lactate and aspartate tend to have greater bioavailability than oxide and sulfate. Citrate may have a laxative effect in some people.

Rocha says that the most important thing is to have an indication for use, and not simply choose a formulation based on advertising.

6) WHAT IS THE BEST SUPPLEMENT TO GAIN MUSCLE MASS?

"Creatine monohydrate is among the supplements with the best evidence for increasing strength and promoting additional gains.