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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NCFarmaceuticos comunitarios

Consumption and knowledge of protein supplements in the Spanish adult population: A cross-sectional survey-based study.

  • Elena Bethencourt-Barbuzano1
  • Soraya Paz-Montelongo1
  • Ángel José Gutiérrez1
  • Arturo Hardisson de la Torre1
  • Montaña Cámara Hurtado2
  • Carmen Rubio Armendáriz1
  1. 1Research Group on Environmental Toxicology and Food and Drug Safety, University of La Laguna, La Laguna 38071, Spain Spain.
  2. 2Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, Madrid 28040, Spain Spain.
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Abstract

Introduction

The popularity of protein supplements (PS) has increased significantly in recent years. Their use is often undertaken without the supervision of a healthcare professional, which may lead to excessive or inappropriate intake and, consequently, pose a health risk.Objective

To assess knowledge and consumption habits regarding PS among the Spanish population.Material and methods

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a digital questionnaire (Google Forms®) among 168 participants aged 15-70 years.Results

Overall, 35.7% of respondents reported consuming PS, with increasing muscle mass being the main reason for consumption among 66.7% of these participants. Although 100% of participants recognised the risks associated with excessive consumption, 26.2% were unaware of the existence of maximum recommended intakes. Among those who were aware of these limits, most believed that the maximum intake was above 30 g of PS per day.Discussion

There is a substantial gap between PS consumption and knowledge of safe intake levels. These findings highlight the need to strengthen the role of community pharmacists as key healthcare professionals in promoting the rational and safe use of PS.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{bethencourtbarbuzano2026consumption,
  title = {{Consumption and knowledge of protein supplements in the Spanish adult population: A cross-sectional survey-based study.}},
  author = {Elena Bethencourt-Barbuzano and Soraya Paz-Montelongo and Ángel José Gutiérrez and Arturo Hardisson de la Torre and Montaña Cámara Hurtado and Carmen Rubio Armendáriz},
  journal = {Farmaceuticos comunitarios},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.33620/fc.2173-9218.2026.36},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42908552},
  note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Consumption and knowledge of protein supplements in the Spanish adult population: A cross-sectional survey-based study.
AU  - Elena Bethencourt-Barbuzano
AU  - Soraya Paz-Montelongo
AU  - Ángel José Gutiérrez
AU  - Arturo Hardisson de la Torre
AU  - Montaña Cámara Hurtado
AU  - Carmen Rubio Armendáriz
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/12
JO  - Farmaceuticos comunitarios
DO  - 10.33620/fc.2173-9218.2026.36
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42908552
AB  - Introduction  The popularity of protein supplements (PS) has increased significantly in recent years. Their use is often undertaken without the supervision of a healthcare professional, which may lead to excessive or inappropriate intake and, consequently, pose a health risk.Objective  To assess knowledge and consumption habits regarding PS among the Spanish population.Material and methods  A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a digital questionnaire (Google Forms®) among 168 participants aged 15-70 years.Results  Overall, 35.7% of respondents reported consuming PS, with increasing muscle mass being the main reason for consumption among 66.7% of these participants. Although 100% of participants recognised the risks associated with excessive consumption, 26.2% were unaware of the existence of maximum recommended intakes. Among those who were aware of these limits, most believed that the maximum intake was above 30 g of PS per day.Discussion  There is a substantial gap between PS consumption and knowledge of safe intake levels. These findings highlight the need to strengthen the role of community pharmacists as key healthcare professionals in promoting the rational and safe use of PS.
SN  - 2173-9218
ER  -