"Dietary supplements" -- like herbal products purported to carry all sorts of health benefits -- are big business. Sales topped $13 billion in 2013 and are expected to climb higher.
The scientific evidence to back manufacturers' claims on most of these products is typically scant to non-existent. And regulators have repeatedly found that the products often don't even contain the plants and chemicals they purport to.
But not all supplements are created equal. Information Designer David McCandless wanted to know which supplements' claims were backed by scientific evidence, and which weren't. So after pouring over hundreds of scientific studies, he built a visualization of which supplements are supported by research, and which aren't.
As you can see in the chart -- you should really use the interactive version on his site to filter by the supplements and the ailments -- some supplements pay off much more than others. Are you taking lavender for sleep, gingko biloba for memory, or acai berry for just about anything? Sorry: evidence suggests you're simply throwing your money away. But some supplements may have beneficial effects. Garlic may be helpful for high blood pressure, niacin may help with heart disease, and probiotics may be effective at treating diarrhea related to antibiotic use.
Overall, the bulk of supplements lie well below McCandless' "worth it" line -- the research just isn't there. The interactive helpfully links out to the research papers cited, and McCandless also provides a Google doccataloging the data he's compiled, which is updated regularly.
Stepping back, it's also important to note that research or not, the Food and Drug Administration doesn't evaluate any supplement-makers' claims the way they do with regular pharmaceuticals. They don't even test them to ensure that they contain what their labels say they do. If you're looking to diagnose or treat a medical condition, then, your best bet is to talk to your doctor. But if you do decide to go the supplement route, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the research first.
Christopher Ingraham writes about politics, drug policy and all things data. He previously worked at the Brookings Institution and the Pew Research Center.
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