Content and framing analysis of food supplement in the BBC news and evaluation from a nutrition science perspective.

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Learn more: PMC Disclaimer | PMC Copyright Notice Front Nutr . 2026 May 13;13:1756606. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1756606 Content and framing analysis of food supplement in the BBC news and evaluation from a nutrition science perspective Metin Erol 1, *, † , Kubra Feyza Erol 2, † , Mustafa Bostancı 3, † Author information Article notes Copyright and License information 1 Department of Social Work, Hamidiye Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye 2 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Hamidiye Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye 3 Department of Journalism, Faculty of Communication, Sakarya University, Istanbul, Türkiye * Correspondence: Metin Erol, metin.erol@sbu.edu.tr † ORCID: Metin Erol, orcid.org/0000-0003-1987-1503 ; Kubra Feyza Erol, orcid.org/0000-0002-6816-8147 ; Mustafa Bostancı, orcid.org/0000-0002-9235-293X Roles Metin Erol : Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Resources, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing Kubra Feyza Erol : Conceptualization, Resources, Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft Mustafa Bostancı : Conceptualization, Resources, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing Received 2025 Nov 28; Revised 2026 Mar 8; Accepted 2026 Apr 22; Collection date 2026. Copyright © 2026 Erol, Erol and Bostancı. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) . The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. PMC Copyright notice PMCID: PMC13235435  PMID: 42253736 Abstract This study aims to identify the framing of dietary supplement news within the context of content analysis and to examine how these frames construct perceptions through specific contexts. For the sample, the international news organization BBC was selected. Using keyword searches on BBC’s official website, news articles were identified, and a simple random sampling method was applied to select the sample. The frames of the sampled news articles were extracted using Wordsmith software. The nutritional dimension of these frames was critically evaluated through eight analytical questions. Within this framework, which types of food supplements are most frequently featured in news content (1), Is there a scientific basis (2), is the benefit or the risk more prominent (3), how does social media shape nutritional behavior (4) and which target group does the news report address (5) The findings indicate that media content predominantly presents supplements in a benefit-oriented manner and positions them not as a complement to food but rather as an alternative thereby shaping public perception. This study seeks to provide a multidisciplinary contribution to literature at the intersection of communication and nutrition/dietary sciences. Ensuring that social and digital communication channels operate parallel with evidence-based scientific and clinical studies can enhance the accuracy, reach, and effectiveness of public guidance. Such coordinated dissemination of knowledge plays a pivotal role in directing individuals toward safe, appropriate, and scientifically informed supplement practices. Keywords: communication studies, digital communication, content analysis, frame analysis, Wordsmith, dietary supplements, functional food, food supplement 1. Introduction In recent years, functional foods have emerged as important approaches that complement modern medicine and support health ( 1 ). Functional foods are defined as foods that not only meet nutritional needs but also provide health-improving, protective, or disease-reducing effects. Terminologically, the concept of functional foods refers to foods that contain biologically active components beyond their nutritional value and offer specific health benefits ( 2 ). Phytochemicals, polyphenols, flavonoids, and various antioxidants are prominent among these components ( 3 ). The functional foods market is experiencing significant growth driven by advances in food technology and increased consumer awareness of the relationship between nutrition and health. Encapsulation methods and innovative approaches to enhance bioavailability are enhancing the effectiveness of functional ingredients, making it possible to offer these products in a more accessible and effective form ( 64 ). Advances in biotechnology and nutritional science have accelerated extensive research into the health effects of dietary supplements, strengthening the scientific evidence for antioxidants, phytochemicals, probiotics, and other bioactive compounds ( 4 ). These advances have fueled the growth of the global nutraceutical industry, which has strong markets in the US, Japan, and many European countries. The sector has begun to encompass a broad range of products, including dietary supplements, functional foods, and herbal products ( 64 ). Socioeconomic developments, technological advancements, and lifestyle changes are leading to increased exposure to health risks, increasing the need for societies to strengthen community nutrition strategies. In this context, functional foods and nutritional supplements have become a central topic of current research and industrial development for both health protection and disease prevention ( 5 ). In the post-pandemic period, the growing interest in functional foods and dietary supplements reflects not only individual pursuits for improved health but also broader shifts in global public-health practices. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the motivation to enhance immune function led to a marked increase in supplement consumption, with numerous studies reporting a sharp rise in usage rates across many countries compared with pre-pandemic levels ( 6 ). This trend has simultaneously stimulated a surge in digital content production related to dietary supplements, particularly on social media platforms, thereby situating the circulation of supplement-related information increasingly within online ecosystems ( 65 ). The health communication ecosystem that people experience daily has changed significantly and is now more complex and sophisticated than ever before. Broadly speaking, the health communication ecosystem encompasses the countless dynamic and diverse individuals, networks, organizations, and structures that influence how people understand and experience health and illness through the production and sharing of health-related information. Within this communication ecosystem, individuals are exposed to diverse information ( 7 ). Communication is a fundamental process through which individuals and groups exchange information, emotions, and meanings, facilitating understanding and interaction. It involves the encoding of a message by a sender, its transmission through a channel, and its decoding by a receiver, incorporating both verbal and nonverbal elements such as gestures, facial expressions, and symbols ( 8–10 ). Communication is inherently a dynamic and continuous process that is context-sensitive, meaning that the interpretation of messages is influenced by social, cultural, and situational factors ( 11 , 12 ). Its key features include bidirectionality, the capacity to create shared meaning, and the use of multiple channels to achieve specific objectives ( 13 , 14 ). The primary purpose of communication is to share meaning and facilitate interaction, which encompasses the transmission of information, persuasion, the establishment of social bonds, and the cultural transfer of norms and values ( 10 , 14 ). Therefore, communication serves as both a practical and a social tool, essential for coordinating behavior, fostering relationships, and maintaining cultural continuity. The digitalization of communication has significantly reshaped internet-based news reporting, transforming how public institutions, state agencies, and professional organizations disseminate information online. Internet news reporting emphasizes speed, accessibility, and interactivity, enabling organizations to reach broader audiences while maintaining official narratives ( 15 ). The shift from traditional broadcast channels to web-based platforms has introduced both opportunities and challenges: while digital tools allow real-time updates and multimedia integration, they also demand rigorous verification practices to prevent misinformation and maintain public trust ( 16 , 17 ). Consequently, internet news reporting exemplifies the intersection of communication, technology, and institutional strategy, illustrating how digitalization reshapes the production, distribution, and reception of news in the contemporary information environment. In the contemporary media landscape, traditional news outlets are increasingly being replaced by web-based news platforms. Among these, the BBC stands out as one of the most prominent global news organizations, offering wide-reaching coverage and serving as a key reference point in shaping public perceptions and attitudes. As such, internet journalism exemplifies the intersection of communication, technology, and institutional strategy, demonstrating how digitalization is reshaping the production, distribution, and reception of news in the modern information environment. Today, individuals rely extensively on web-based sources for their primary information-seeking processes, and the digital platforms of news organizations have become critical reference points in shaping health-related perceptions and attitudes. Consequently, the content disseminated by mainstream news websites not only serves an informational purpose but also fulfills a directive and framing function within the broader digital communication environment ( 18 ). Within this context, the present study aims to systematically examine dietary-supplement content published on the official website of the BBC, one of the world’s most widely accessed and influential news organizations ( 19 , 20 ). For this purpose, the platform’s internal search engine was queried using the keywords supplement, nutraceutical and protein powder and from the resulting items, 45 news texts directly related to dietary supplements were selected through a simple sampling procedure. The analysis was conducted using the Wordsmith software, which enabled the construction of a Word List and the identification of the most frequently occurring and context-bearing lexical items within the corpus ( 21 ). By examining the contextual patterns associated with these lexical items, the study identifies the discursive frames through which the BBC represents dietary supplements. These frames are interpreted in light of the nutrition and dietary supplement literature and further discussed within the context of digital health communication to evaluate their potential influence on public perceptions. Overall, this study seeks to address a notable gap in literature by highlighting the role of mainstream digital media in the production of information and the shaping of public understanding regarding dietary supplements in online environments. Despite the growing body of research on health communication and media coverage of nutrition-related topics, an important gap remains in the literature regarding how dietary supplements are framed in news media from both a communication and a nutrition science perspective. Previous studies have primarily focused either on the frequency and tone of media coverage or on regulatory and risk communication aspects of supplements. However, limited attention has been given to integrating media framing analysis with a nutrition-based evaluation of the products discussed in news content. In particular, how different types of dietary supplements are presented, which nutritional claims are emphasized, and whether these representations align with scientific evidence remain underexplored. Therefore, this study aims to address this gap by combining media framing analysis with a nutrition-oriented assessment of dietary supplements featured in news articles, thereby providing a more comprehensive understanding of how such products are communicated to the public. From a nutrition science perspective, dietary supplements are generally defined as products intended to complement the diet rather than replace balanced and adequate nutrition ( 22 ). The fundamental principles of nutrition emphasize that nutrient requirements should primarily be met through a diverse and balanced dietary pattern ( 23 ). Although dietary supplements may be beneficial in specific cases such as nutrient deficiencies, certain physiological conditions, or medically indicated situations, excessive or unnecessary consumption may lead to potential health risks ( 24 ). In recent years, the growing market of dietary supplements and their frequent representation in media content have raised concerns about whether the information presented to the public reflects evidence-based nutritional guidance ( 25 ). Therefore, examining how supplements are communicated in the media is important not only from a communication perspective but also from a public health and nutrition standpoint. Understanding the ways in which supplements are framed in news content may provide insights into how media narratives influence public perceptions regarding nutritional adequacy, supplement necessity, and potential health risks. 2. Theoretical framework 2.1. Content and framing analysis Content analysis is a versatile and robust research methodology that enables scholars to derive systematic insights into a particular issue or phenomenon and to formulate empirically grounded interpretations based on these insights. It has become a widely employed technique in the social sciences, largely because it accommodates both qualitative and quantitative examinations of mass media content. Conceptually, content analysis is defined as a systematic, methodological, and objective procedure for identifying, categorizing, and interpreting the essential components embedded in textual or discursive data. Its central purpose is to analyze the presence, distribution, and meaning of predefined categories within a given text ( 26 ). Content analysis has often been described as the process through which written expressions are quantified and transformed into analyzable data. At its core lies the categorization of textual elements and the measurement of their frequency ( 27 ). This method offers researchers rich interpretative potential by enabling the systematic examination of written material ( 28 ), p. 133. In practice, conducting content analysis requires first identifying the corpus to be analyzed and subsequently developing a coding system that captures selected features of the content. The frequency of specific words or themes is then systematically recorded. Within this study, the news texts comprising the sample will be processed through Wordsmith software, which will generate word lists that reveal the most frequently occurring lexical items in the corpus. In this way, the dominant concepts structuring the news discourse will be identified. Accordingly, the study adopts a quantitative content analysis approach. Quantitative content analysis primarily aims to determine the frequency of occurrence of words or concepts that have been operationalized during the category development phase. Because this technique predominantly concentrates on coding the manifest surface content of texts, it typically employs open coding procedures. For instance, the number of times a specific word or concept appears in a text is recorded using coding schemes that treat the presence or absence of the target item as the definitional criterion. The reliability of this approach is generally high, and computerized tools are frequently utilized to enhance accuracy and efficiency ( 29 ), p. 470. In this study, the Wordsmith software served as the primary analytical tool. Content analysis aims to provide an objective, measurable, and verifiable account of the explicit content of messages ( 30 ), p. 176. Adhering to a rigorous and consistent methodological structure is therefore essential. Establishing clear analytical parameters, categorizing the data accordingly, and ensuring replicable results constitute critical components of effective content analysis. Moreover, situating textual elements within a specific semantic and interpretive framework is fundamental to achieving analytical depth ( 31 ), pp. 21–23. For this reason, the present study also employs the concordance ( context ) feature of the Wordsmith software to examine the contextual environments in which frequently occurring lexical items appear. These contextual analyses will elucidate the discursive patterns and thematic orientations embedded in the news texts. For this reason, another method used in this study, apart from content analysis, was framing analysis. Framing analysis is conceptualized as a constructivist methodological paradigm for interrogating news discourse, wherein news texts are systematically deconstructed into empirically operationalizable dimensions—encompassing syntactical, script, thematic, and rhetorical structures—thereby facilitating the rigorous identification and substantiation of the mechanisms through which the news media actively construct and delineate interpretive frames around salient issues ( 32 ). Within the domain of mass communication research, framing analysis occupies an epistemological position intermediary to discourse analysis and content analysis, typically integrating both qualitative and quantitative. 3. Materials and methods 3.1. Sample selection The BBC is one of the world’s leading public-service broadcasters. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, the BBC produces original, world-class programs and content that inform, educate, and entertain millions of people worldwide ( 33 ). Through the BBC World Service, it broadcasts on television, radio, and online in over 40 languages, reaching a diverse international audience ( 33 ). BBC News, primarily via the World Service, reaches approximately 418 million viewers weekly, highlighting its extensive global reach ( 34 ). Currently, the BBC World Service operates in 43 languages, including English, and maintains correspondents and support staff in 64 cities across 54 countries, providing audiences with the global insight and expertise necessary to deliver a truly international news service ( 35 ). This extensive infrastructure positions the BBC as a highly influential global news platform, making it a critical reference point in the dissemination and framing of information in the contemporary digital media landscape. Therefore, the BBC was chosen as the sample for this study. The sample was identified using keywords from www.bbc.com . In this context, the search section of www.bbc.com searched for supplement , nutraceutical and protein powder . This search yielded 416 news items. The number of words in these news texts is 39,740. From these news items, 45 news items were selected using a simple sample selection method, taking into account the emphasis in the news headlines, and constituted the sample for this study. The search terms used in this study ( “dietary supplement,” “nutraceutical,” and “protein powder” ) were determined on the basis of the most commonly employed concepts in both the academic literature and media discourse. The terms “dietary supplement” and “food supplement” represent the primary concepts used in regulatory and legal frameworks. The concept of “nutraceutical,” by contrast, is a technical term frequently used in the scientific literature to describe products with functional and therapeutic purposes. The term “protein powder,” meanwhile, refers to a specific yet representative product category that has high visibility in the media, particularly in the context of sports nutrition and performance-oriented consumption. The combined use of these terms aims to facilitate a more comprehensive analysis of media representations by encompassing both the general category level and the level of specific products. The selection of these terms was structured by the researchers on the basis of a review of the existing literature and the frequency of conceptual usage within the relevant field. In this study, the temporal scope of the analyzed news items was not determined through the prior specification of a fixed time period; rather, it emerged as a natural outcome of the data collection process. Within the scope of the research, the search function available on the official website of BBC was used to conduct separate searches using the keywords “supplement,” “nutraceutical,” and “protein powder.” News items retrieved through these keyword searches were screened, and those relevant to the aims and scope of the study were included in the sample. The search terms were entered individually into the search engine of the BBC’s website: www.bbc.com . Each term was queried independently, and the resulting outputs were subsequently merged, after which duplicate items were removed. Only news articles published in English were included in the study. This preference is based on the assumption that the BBC’s global English-language publications represent an international media framework. No additional restrictions were imposed with regard to author type, article length, news category, or publication format. Accordingly, all types of news content (e.g., analyses, interviews, health reports) were included in the dataset. However, duplicate items and texts that did not conform to the news article format (such as video transcripts or gallery descriptions) were excluded from the analysis. As a result of this procedure, the publication dates of the selected news items were found to range from 14 October 2014 to 5 November 2025. Therefore, the temporal limitation of the study was not established through the prior determination of a specific time frame; rather, it was defined by the period during which news content meeting the research criteria and retrievable through the specified keywords was published. Accordingly, the dataset of the study is limited to news articles published within this period and accessible through the aforementioned keywords. 3.2. Methods The methodological design of this study was operationalized through a five-stage analytical protocol. First, an initial corpus of 416 news items was retrieved via a keyword-based search on the BBC website. From this corpus, a probabilistic sample of 45 news items was drawn using a simple random sampling procedure, constituting the study’s unit of analysis. Second, all textual data underwent a standardized pre-processing phase to ensure analytical reliability. The corpus was digitized and converted into Wordsmith-compatible plain-text (.txt) files. During this stage, non-linguistic elements—including typographical redundancies, headings, pagination markers, and extraneous metadata—were systematically removed to minimize noise and prevent coding distortion. Third, lexical profiling of the corpus was conducted using the WordList module of WordSmith Tools. Token and type counts were generated for each text to establish baseline lexical density and distribution patterns. Lexical items with a frequency threshold exceeding 10 occurrences were retained for further analysis. Conversely, function words (e.g., conjunctions, adverbs, morphological suffixes) that lacked contextual or semantic load were excluded to refine the analytical focus. In the fourth stage, the retained lexical items were subjected to concordance analysis using the Concord module. Through examination of right- and left-hand co-text environments, recurrent thematic and discursive structures were identified. This step enabled the systematic detection of framing patterns embedded in the news discourse. Finally, the concordance outputs were interpreted within the study’s analytical framework, focusing on: (1) Which types of food supplements are most frequently featured in news content? (2) Is there a scientific basis? (3) Is the benefit or the risk more prominent? (4) How does social media shape nutritional behavior? (5) Which target group does the news report address? This study not only analyzes media content at a descriptive level but also examines it based on framing theory. Framing theory posits that the media structures public perceptions, risk assessments, and attitudes by presenting events and issues within specific meaning patterns ( 36 , 66 ). According to Entman ( 36 ), framing is a selective emphasis process that includes (i) defining a problem, (ii) providing a causal interpretation, (iii) making a moral assessment, and (iv) proposing a solution. In this context, the media is not merely a neutral tool that transmits information; it is an actor that produces and directs meaning. In the health communication literature, framing is widely used, particularly in the context of risk–benefit presentation, scientific ambiguity, attribution to expert authority, and audience construction ( 67 , 68 ). In hybrid product categories related to health, consumption, and performance, such as dietary supplements, media framing can directly influence consumer perception and behavior. This study analyzes BBC news through the following framing dimensions ( Table 1 ). Table 1. Framing themes and analytical questions used in the analysis of food supplement news content. Framing theme Analysis question Food supplement category frame Which types of food supplements are most frequently featured in news content? Scientific frame Is there a scientific basis? Benefit–risk balance frame Is the benefit or the risk more prominent? Social media frame How does social media shape nutritional behavior? Target audience frame Which target group does the news report address? Open in a new tab These dimensions are structured in accordance with a mixed analytical approach that uses both content analysis and framing analysis together. 3.3. Theoretical justification of research questions 1 Which types of food supplements are most frequently featured in news content? Media visibility is one of the key elements that determine the societal importance attributed to a topic ( 37 ) (Agenda Setting Theory). More frequent appearance of certain product categories can lead to those products becoming more prominent in the public eye in terms of risk or benefit. Therefore, the distribution of product types is important in showing which areas the media prioritizes. 2 What is the scientific basis of the information presented in news content? The representation of scientific evidence in health news is a critical factor in terms of public trust and health literacy ( 38 ). The lack or oversimplification of scientific references in the media can create a false perception of risk. In the context of framing theory, scientific citation serves as a function of “causal interpretation” and “legitimization.” Science Communication. 3 Are benefits or risks emphasized more? In health communication, the emphasis on gain and loss frames affects individuals’ behavioral intentions in different ways ( 39 , 40 ). In semi-medicinal products such as food supplements, the risk–benefit frame can directly shape consumption behavior. Therefore, which aspect is emphasized in the news is a fundamental dimension of analysis. 4 How does social media shape nutritional behavior? The production of health information in the digital media environment is not limited to traditional media. Influencers and social media content play a decisive role in the formation of nutritional preferences, especially in young adults ( 41 ). The inclusion of social media references in traditional media content points to a hybrid framing structure. 5 Which target groups are addressed in the news? In framing theory, audience construction shows who the message is intended for and who is positioned at risk ( 36 ). Highlighting specific groups such as athletes, the elderly, children, or women reveals how societal risk distribution is represented. Within this theoretical framework, this study aims to systematically analyze how food supplements are structured in BBC news, the semantic patterns within which they are presented, and the kind of health discourse that is generated in the public sphere. 4. Result and discussion Table 2 presents the word list derived from news articles on food supplements published on the BBC’s official website. Only words with a frequency of 10 or more were included, while conjunctions, adverbs, adjectives, and suffixes were excluded from the analysis. The data reveal several notable patterns. Table 2. BBC news’ simplified word list. N Word Freq. 1 PROTEIN 203 2 SAYS 181 3 PEOPLE 170 4 MORE 168 5 FOOD 144 6 SUPPLEMENTS 121 7 COLLAGEN 113 8 SLEEP 112 9 VITAMIN 111 10 HEALTH 109 11 SAID 105 12 CAFFEINE 91 13 D 90 14 TAKING 79 15 DIET 78 16 INSECTS 76 17 FOUND 75 18 RESEARCH 75 19 HIGH 66 20 FOODS 64 21 PRODUCTS 63 22 HELP 58 23 EVIDENCE 57 24 STUDIES 57 25 SKIN 53 26 MAGNESIUM 51 27 SUPPLEMENT 50 28 HEALTHY 49 29 POWDER 49 30 TIME 49 31 LEVELS 47 32 WEIGHT 45 33 SAY 43 34 INSECT 41 35 RISK 41 36 UNIVERSITY 40 37 IMPROVE 39 38 BRAIN 38 39 AMOUNT 33 40 DAILY 32 41 RECOMMENDED 32 42 TRIALS 32 43 DR 31 44 EFFECTS 31 45 ENOUGH 31 46 IMPORTANT 31 47 INGREDIENTS 31 48 RESEARCHERS 31 49 SPIRULINA 31 50 STUDY 31 51 PRODUCT 30 52 BENEFIT 28 53 PLANT 28 54 ENERGY 27 55 RICH 27 56 VITAMINS 27 57 ANIMAL 26 58 CLAIMS 26 59 NUTRITION 26 60 PROTEINS 24 61 SCIENTISTS 24 62 EFFECT 23 63 GREEN 23 64 GUT 23 65 MUSCLE 23 66 PROF 23 67 TAURINE 23 68 INCREASE 22 69 POWDERS 22 70 YOUNG 22 71 HUMAN 21 72 MOLECULE 21 73 PILLS 21 74 PRODUCTION 21 75 TRIAL 21 76 CLINICAL 20 77 COFFEE 20 78 CONTAIN 20 79 DIETS 20 80 DISEASE 20 81 GIVEN 20 82 ACIDS 19 83 ACTUALLY 19 84 BABIES 19 85 CREATINE 19 86 ESPECIALLY 19 87 MELATONIN 19 88 NUTRIENTS 19 89 REDUCE 19 90 TRYING 19 91 ADVICE 18 92 BODIES 18 93 CANCER 18 94 CAUSE 18 95 COMPANIES 18 96 CONSUMING 18 97 FORM 18 98 GIVE 18 99 GYM 18 100 IMPACT 18 101 LOT 18 102 MINERALS 18 103 PROCESS 18 104 PUT 18 105 START 18 106 VEGETABLES 18 107 ACCORDING 17 108 AGAIN 17 109 AMINO 17 110 CONSUMPTION 17 111 DIFFERENCE 17 112 EDIBLE 17 113 HEART 17 114 HELPS 17 115 HOSPITAL 17 116 KEEP 17 117 KNOWN 17 118 LOW 17 119 MAKING 17 120 POTENTIAL 17 121 BONES 16 122 CHILDREN 16 123 COMPARED 16 124 CONSUME 16 125 CONSUMERS 16 126 FOCUS 16 127 INDUSTRY 16 128 MEALS 16 129 RANGE 16 130 SHORT 16 131 STOP 16 132 SUGGESTS 16 133 ADDED 15 134 ESSENTIAL 15 135 FIGHT 15 136 HARD 15 137 LEAD 15 138 MEAT 15 139 NIGHT 15 140 NUTS 15 141 PROFESSOR 15 142 WHEY 15 143 CONDITIONS 14 144 CONTAINING 14 145 DIETARY 14 146 LOWER 14 147 MUSCLES 14 148 NUTRIENT 14 149 NUTRITIONAL 14 150 OVERALL 14 151 POTENTIALLY 14 152 PROCESSED 14 153 SEEMS 14 154 SEVERAL 14 155 SOCIAL 14 156 SPECIES 14 157 SYMPTOMS 14 158 WOMEN 14 159 ADULTS 13 160 DEATH 13 161 DIFFICULT 13 162 DOSE 13 163 DRUGS 13 164 LEAST 13 165 MEDIA 13 166 MOLECULES 13 167 NATURALLY 13 168 NEEDED 13 169 RESULTS 13 170 RISKS 13 171 SAFETY 13 172 TIMES 13 173 VIVID 13 174 WORKING 13 175 BIG 12 176 BONE 12 177 CALORIES 12 178 CARE 12 179 CASE 12 180 CONFERENCE 12 181 CONSTIPATION 12 182 DOSES 12 183 DRIED 12 184 FACT 12 185 FUTURE 12 186 GROW 12 187 GROWING 12 188 INCREASED 12 189 INSTEAD 12 190 INVOLVED 12 191 KEY 12 192 LOOKING 12 193 MAKES 12 194 PILL 12 195 POSSIBLE 12 196 PRE 12 197 PRODUCED 12 198 REDUCING 12 199 ROOM 12 200 SAFE 12 201 SHOWED 12 202 SUGGEST 12 203 AMERICAN 11 204 ASSOCIATED 11 205 AVAILABLE 11 206 BEGAN 11 207 BOOST 11 208 CAN’T 11 209 CHANGE 11 210 CONTAINS 11 211 DAIRY 11 212 GUIDANCE 11 213 JOINTS 11 214 LINKED 11 215 LIVESTOCK 11 216 LOSE 11 217 MEANS 11 218 MEANWHILE 11 219 MEDICAL 11 220 NATURAL 11 221 REPLACEMENT 11 222 REPORT 11 223 SCIENCE 11 224 SCIENTIFIC 11 225 STANDARDS 11 226 TRAINING 11 227 TYPES 11 228 ACROSS 10 229 ADENOSINE 10 230 ADVISED 10 231 AMOUNTS 10 232 ANIMALS 10 233 ANTIOXIDANTS 10 234 APPETITE 10 235 ATHLETES 10 236 AVERAGE 10 237 BATCHES 10 238 BENEFICIAL 10 239 COVID 10 240 DARK 10 241 GLOBAL 10 242 IMPROVED 10 243 PATIENTS 10 244 POOR 10 245 PROBABLY 10 246 PUBLIC 10 247 STRESS 10 248 STRUCTURE 10 249 SUSTAINABLE 10 250 TEST 10 Open in a new tab According to Table 2 , the most frequently occurring word in the corpus is protein , a term classified as a type of food supplement, whose prominence may be interpreted as an indicator of the corpus’s integrated thematic focus. The word says appears with a frequency of 181, making it the second most frequent lexical item, suggesting a strong reliance on expert statements within the news texts. The additional frequency of related forms such as said (105) and say (43) further supports this interpretation, as does the presence of terms including scientists , clinical , professor , evidence , university , studies , improve , claim , health , public , research , report , and test in the word list. The frequent appearance of items such as food (144), supplements (121), collagen (113), vitamin (111), caffeine (91), D (90), magnesium (51), powder (49), spirulina (31), vitamins (27), proteins (24), taurine (23), melatonin (19), creatine (19), minerals (18), and whey (15) provides further insight into the diverse categories of food supplements represented in the corpus. The texts also include phrases indicating the target audience, reflected in the notable frequency of words such as adult , adults , children , women , young , and babies . Additionally, the distribution contains terms with both positive and negative connotations—such as risk , benefit , effect , death , dose , and safety —which constitutes another noteworthy dimension of the dataset. In this study, Wordsmith content and framing analysis was applied to selected news articles from the BBC, and the findings were systematically evaluated according to five pre-determined thematic frameworks ( Table 3 ). Discursive patterns were examined during the analysis process, specifically to understand the relationships between nutrition, supplement use, and media discourse. Within this scope, news articles were interpreted along the following axes: Table 3. Thematic frameworks used in Wordsmith content and framing analysis. No Framing theme Analysis question Words Duality 1 Food supplement category frame Which types of food supplements are most frequently featured in news content? Supplements, Nutrition, Nutrients, Vitamins, Minerals, Amino acid, Magnesium, Collagen, Protein, Powder, Caffeine, Taurine Plant, Spirulina, Melatonin, Creatine, Antioxidant, Whey Strong emphasis 2 Scientific frame Is there a scientific basis? Scientists, Clinical, Professor, Evidence, University, Studies, Improve, Claim, Health, Public, Research, Report, Test Strong emphasis 3 Benefit–risk balance frame Is the benefit or the risk more prominent? Risk, Benefit, Effect, Death, Dose, Safety Strong emphasis 4 Social media frame How does social media shape nutritional behavior? Social, Media Weak emphasis 5 Target audience frame Which target group does the news report address? Adult, Adults, Children, Women, Young, Babies Strong emphasis Open in a new tab The findings were presented in line with the guiding structure of these thematic questions. Thus, the discursive frameworks used to structure news content and how these frameworks contribute to the production of meaning regarding community health care nutritional perception, and supplement use were holistically revealed. As a result of the content analysis of the news texts, it was determined that the keywords supplements, nutrition, nutrients, vitamins, minerals, amino acid, magnesium, collagen, protein, powder, caffeine, taurine, spirulina, melatonin, creatine, antioxidant and whey within the scope of the Food Supplement Category Frame theme were the most frequently used concepts and the context sentences are given in Figure 1 . Figure 1. Open in a new tab Content analysis of food supplement category frame. According to Figure 1 , the BBC news reports indicate that supplements used by athletes contain creatine, amino acids, vitamins, and caffeine ( Figure 1 , Line 1). The reports further underscore the importance of consuming regular meals and adequate water instead of foods containing caffeine (Line 2), thereby emphasizing healthy dietary practices. The news texts additionally highlight various regulations concerning supplements and reference relevant European Union legislation (Lines 3, 25). Expert opinions on caffeine consumption are also presented, accompanied by recommendations regarding optimal daily caffeine intake (Lines 4, 38). Collagen emerges as another prominent supplement within the news coverage. The reports provide technical information about collagen (Lines 5, 8, 36), outline its purported benefits (Lines 6, 9), and identify food products that may naturally meet the body’s collagen requirements (Line 10). In addition to collagen, the texts also draw attention to the use of creatine (Lines 13, 14), magnesium (Lines 16–19), melatonin (Lines 20–21), as well as calcium, selenium, potassium (Line 47), vitamin D (Lines 35, 37), and whey protein (Lines 48–49). The active ingredients of food supplements are similarly discussed, including technical information on Spirulina’s protein content, essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals (Lines 26, 33). The news reports also address popular topics such as edible insects and plant-based proteins (Lines 27, 29, 31, 34). Some criticisms concerning the increasing trend in supplement consumption are likewise included (Line 41). In this context, it is noted that the positive or negative health effects of supplementary foods remain scientifically inconclusive (Lines 39, 40). This framing of the food supplements category demonstrates that the content in news articles largely aligns with existing scientific literature. Protein powders, collagen, magnesium, melatonin, caffeine, creatine, taurine and vitamin D and mineral supplements are among the most frequently discussed product groups in both popular culture and academic research ( 42 ). Dose restrictions outlined in news reports about caffeine consumption align with the safe intake levels established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) ( 43 ) and FDA, with lower tolerance levels recommended for children, adolescents, and pregnant women ( 44 ). Similarly, the efficacy and safety profiles of melatonin, magnesium, and collagen supplements reflect the differences in evidence levels highlighted in the literature ( 45 ). For example, academic sources have cited studies on the differential effects of different types of collagen peptides on skin elasticity, muscle, bone, and joint health ( 46 ). The neurocognitive effects presented in news reports about creatine supplements are consistent with recent clinical studies demonstrating the beneficial effects of creatine on brain energy metabolism beyond muscle function ( 47 ). Furthermore, the potential ameliorative effects of magnesium on sleep quality, stress, and depression symptoms have been supported by a growing number of randomized controlled trials in recent years ( 48 ). However, as highlighted in the news, misuse, overdose, the risk of toxicity in individuals with renal impairment, and the lack of scientific basis for product marketing claims are considered critical community nutrition and health issues by both international regulatory authorities and researchers ( 69 ). Therefore, academic literature generally recommends the use of dietary supplements in controlled doses, with evidence-based rationale, and under professional guidance ( 49 ). Figure 2 presents the contextual distribution of the words constituting the Scientific Frame . According to the data in Figure 2 , BBC news reports suggest that the use of protein and creatine contributes to muscle development and enhances physical performance ( Figure 2 , Lines 1 and 8); that dietary supplements may help prevent bone fractures in older adults (Line 2); that magnesium and glycine promote improved and healthier sleep (Line 3); and that caffeine intake can enhance athletic performance while also offering cognitive and mental health benefits (Lines 4 and 5). The reports further underscore the positive evaluations provided by experts from official bodies such as community ealth England regarding the use of supplements (Lines 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 17, 21, 22, and 23). Additionally, the news texts emphasize that dietary supplements support overall health (Line 10) and include expert commentary on the appropriate use of such supplements (Lines 12 and 14). Figure 2. Open in a new tab Content analysis of scientific frame. An analysis of the findings reported in news articles and expert opinions reveals that the evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of dietary supplements is heterogeneous. While relatively robust clinical and sports science data exist for performance-enhancing supplements such as protein powders, creatine, and caffeine, the level of evidence for other supplements, such as collagen, melatonin, spirulina, and various herbal products, is understood to be limited ( 50 ). Furthermore, findings for essential micronutrients such as vitamin D and magnesium vary depending on age group, health status, and lifestyle, emphasizing that the potential benefits are particularly pronounced in older adults and individuals at risk of deficiency ( 51 ). However, the frequent misuse, overdose, inappropriate consumption in children, and unfounded claims frequently cited in news reports highlight the importance of personal responsibility and expert guidance in supplement use ( 52 ). Consistent with academic literature, dietary supplements should only be used based on individual needs, evidence base, and scientific guidelines, while a healthy diet should be maintained as the primary strategy. Considering the contextual results presented in Figure 3 , it can be argued that one of the prominent frames in the news texts is constructed around the balance between benefits and risks. The contexts of the word benefit, death, dose, effect, risk, safety— which appears with high frequency in the word list—underscore several themes: that multivitamin use provides general health benefits ( Figure 3 , Lines 1–2); that vitamin supplements, drawing on expert knowledge, are beneficial for a range of diseases (e.g., ulcerative colitis, cancer; Lines 3–4); that vitamin D and calcium supplements support dietary intake (Line 5); that vitamin D use is advantageous for specific target groups (e.g., women over 60; Lines 6, 8–9); and that collagen supplementation contributes to skin health (Line 7). Figure 3. Open in a new tab Content analysis of benefit–risk balance frame. In addition to the benefit-oriented framing of food supplement use, the news texts also highlight potential harms. In this regard, several reports indicate that the use of certain supplements can result in fatal outcomes (Line 15). The texts further emphasize the potentially lethal consequences of excessive caffeine consumption, protein shakes, and meal replacement products (e.g., Soylent; Lines 16–18, 29), as well as the adverse side effects of overstimulating energy-enhancing products that may trigger heart disease (Line 20). The potential risks of supplement use are likewise foregrounded in relation to dietary practices (Lines 44–45). Moreover, another notable emphasis within the benefit–risk framework concerns the appropriate dosage of dietary supplements. The articles frequently offer dosage recommendations based on scientific evidence (Lines 21–26). The benefit–risk framework also includes contradictory statements. While some researchers argue that dietary supplements are beneficial for certain diseases (Lines 3–4), other users contend that supplements have no effect on preventing cancer or cardiovascular disease (Line 30). Similarly, several articles assert that the purported health benefits of dietary supplements have not been conclusively demonstrated (Line 32). Some reports additionally include explicit health claims, such as Vitamin E use reduces blood clotting (Lines 34, 46). Supplement use is also discussed in connection with various disciplines; for example, the texts reference studies highlighting the relationship between coffee consumption and depression (Line 41). Another noteworthy aspect within the benefit–risk framework is the reference to food safety regulators (Line 51). The emphasis on safety in supplement consumption is prominent throughout the articles (Lines 49–50), which also cite official authorities responsible for ensuring food safety (Line 48). This coexistence of supportive and skeptical narratives reflects a contradictory framing structure frequently observed in media coverage of nutrition-related topics. Similar patterns have been reported in previous studies examining media representations of dietary supplements and functional foods, where benefits are often presented alongside cautionary statements about safety and effectiveness ( 53 ). Official regulatory bodies also focus attention on dosage and safety: EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) emphasizes the importance of keeping bioactive substance concentrations within safe limits for many supplement ingredients and highlights the potential harms of excessive consumption ( 43 ). Daily doses of food supplements and dietary supplements are calculated within specific minimum and maximum limits to protect individual health and prevent potential side effects ( 54 ). These values are generally based on scientific principles such as Dietary Reference Values (DRVs), Population Reference Intakes (PRIs), Average Requirements (ARs), Adequate Intakes (AIs), and Reference Intake Ranges (RIs). Minimum values represent the level that will meet an individual’s essential nutrient requirements, while maximum values are determined to prevent toxicity and side effects that may occur from excessive consumption ( 43 ). International and national health authorities and regulatory bodies are responsible for setting these dose limits. In Europe, this task is primarily carried out by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which determines safe upper limits (UL) and recommended daily intakes based on the panel’s scientific assessments. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) provide international recommendations and guidelines for macronutrients and micronutrients. Similarly, in the US, the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) and Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL) established by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) are considered reference values for dietary supplements. In this framework, establishing minimum and maximum dietary supplement doses is both based on scientific evidence and ensures safe and effective supplement use ( 43 ). Dietary reference values (DRVs) are a general term encompassing population-level recommended intakes for macronutrients and micronutrients and determine the amounts of nutrients that healthy individuals should regularly consume. In 2005, the European Commission commissioned EFSA to review SCF’s 1993 DRV recommendations for the European population with up-to-date scientific evidence. This task was entrusted to the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA), which published opinions in 2010 that addressed the general principles for the derivation and application of DRVs. Over the following 7 years, a total of 32 scientific opinions were issued, covering water, fats, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, protein, energy, and 14 vitamins and 13 minerals. The summary report brings together the results of these opinions with tables and appendices, making the DRVs readily available to end users ( 43 ). The presence of regulatory references in news texts suggests that journalists attempt to enhance the credibility of health-related information by referring to scientific authorities such as the European Food Safety Authority. However, the findings of this study indicate that these references are often used selectively and superficially. Rather than explaining the scientific basis of regulatory frameworks, recommended intake levels, or the rationale behind safety limits, news articles tend to mention regulatory bodies mainly in the context of general safety warnings. From a public health communication perspective, integrating academic evidence and official regulatory guidance more comprehensively into news reporting would be highly beneficial. Providing clearer explanations of regulatory recommendations and evidence-based intake limits could improve public awareness and encourage responsible supplement use. In this sense, referencing reliable scientific and institutional sources in a more informative manner may not only strengthen the credibility of nutrition-related news but also help guide individuals toward more informed health decisions. The contextual data presented in Figure 4 indicates that specific target groups are referenced within the news coverage on food supplements. The news texts report that individuals who engage in regular exercise require higher protein intake than the general population and that protein consumption contributes to muscle and bone strengthening ( Figure 4 , Line 1). They further note that infants should receive 8.5–10 micrograms of vitamin D daily from birth until 1 year of age (Line 2), and that scientific studies have examined the use of food supplements among mothers and newborns (Lines 4–5). Additional statements highlight that infants require supplementation (Line 6) and that certain scientifically based studies suggest that some supplements may promote calmness, focus, and digestion in children (Line 9). The texts also warn against supplements containing ingredients harmful to children, such as melatonin (Line 10), although they note that such substances may be prescribed in controlled doses under specific conditions (Line 11). Moreover, the findings emphasize encouragement toward vitamin D consumption (Line 14); acknowledge that some supplements, despite potential side effects, do not cause permanent harm and may therefore be appropriate for particular target groups (Line 15); and report that recommendations regarding food supplements are supported by scientific evidence (Line 16). Finally, the data indicates that certain supplements, such as collagen, are associated with specific target populations, particularly young and athletic individuals (Line 22). Figure 4. Open in a new tab Content analysis of target audience frame. The contextual data presented in news articles highlights the importance of evaluating the use of dietary supplements across different target groups from a scientific nutrition perspective. Considering target age groups when using dietary supplements is critical from a nutritional and community nutrition perspective ( 55 ). Metabolic requirements of different age groups vary depending on their growth and developmental processes, immune system function, and lifestyle ( 56 ). This situation demonstrates the importance of planning supplementation strategies appropriate for target age groups in terms of both effectiveness and safety ( 57 ). The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the critical importance of planning food supplements according to target age groups. This strategic approach not only increases effectiveness but also plays a significant role in safety ( 58 ). WHO guidelines recommend analyzing the nutritional status and prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in relevant population groups before implementing supplementation programs, carefully determining the doses of micronutrients used, and regularly monitoring potential side effects throughout the program. This approach provides a scientifically based framework for meeting age-specific nutritional needs and minimizing risks ( 59 ). UNICEF’s report “Food-Based Dietary Guidelines: A Review of National Guidance for Children, Adolescents, and Women” (2021) provides important conclusions highlighting that dietary supplements require different strategies depending on their target group ( children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women ) ( 60 ). An examination of the context table for the terms social and media indicates that the use of protein supplements is increasingly promoted through social media platforms ( Figure 5 , line 1). Influencers play a prominent role in amplifying the popularity of food supplements (line 2), frequently producing advertisements that emphasize these products (line 9). Social media content related to weight loss is also prevalent (line 4), and fitness-oriented posts concerning supplement use circulate widely (line 6). Moreover, supplement-related posts often trend on these platforms (line 7), reflecting a substantial consumer base eager to purchase such products via social media channels (line 8). Advertising for supplements is disseminated extensively across social media (line 12), including platform-specific promotions on TikTok (lines 13 and 15). Finally, the potential risks associated with supplement consumption are communicated to the public through various media outlets (line 16). Figure 5. Open in a new tab Content analysis of social media frame. The role of social media in dietary supplement and dietary supplement consumption is strongly confirmed in various academic studies. For example, a study of young adults in Kazakhstan found that social media was a key source of information on dietary supplement use (especially for muscle building and weight loss) among individuals aged 18–25. According to the study, 51% of participants cited social media as a key source of information, with Instagram and WhatsApp being the most frequently used platforms. This finding provides direct evidence that social platforms can drive demand for supplements through influencers and digital content ( 61 ). Another academic study examines how digital media and social networks influence food supplement consumption among young adults (18–35 years) in Uttarakhand, India. Using a mixed-methods approach with 400 participants, the research finds that higher social media usage is positively associated with supplement intake, with Instagram and YouTube being the most influential platforms. User-generated content has a stronger effect on purchase decisions than branded content, and peer recommendations are more influential than celebrity endorsements ( 62 ). The study also identifies significant gender differences in platform influence. These results highlight the important role of digital media in shaping health product consumption in emerging markets, providing insights for marketers, policymakers, and community health strategies ( 63 ). The findings of this study indicate that dietary supplements are frequently presented in news media through simplified and benefit-oriented narratives. While several supplements such as protein, creatine, caffeine, magnesium, melatonin, and collagen are discussed in relation to their potential physiological effects, the media coverage tends to prioritize practical benefits such as improved performance, energy, sleep quality, or esthetic outcomes. Although these representations are partly consistent with the scientific literature, the news framing often simplifies complex scientific evidence and rarely addresses the conditional nature of these benefits, including variability in individual responses, dosage considerations, or population-specific recommendations. As a result, the scientific nuances that typically accompany evidence-based nutritional guidance are largely absent from media narratives. Another important limitation observed in the news coverage is the selective use of scientific and regulatory references. While some articles refer to expert opinions or regulatory authorities to legitimize claims, these references are often used in a fragmented manner and do not provide a comprehensive explanation of the safety frameworks governing dietary supplement use. In particular, issues such as appropriate dosage ranges, potential interactions with medications, and the risks associated with long-term or unsupervised consumption receive relatively limited attention. This selective presentation may contribute to an incomplete understanding of the role of dietary supplements as complementary components of nutrition rather than substitutes for balanced dietary patterns. Furthermore, the dominance of benefit-oriented framing may have implications for public perceptions and consumption behavior. When supplements are repeatedly associated with desirable outcomes such as enhanced performance, improved appearance, or rapid health improvements, media narratives may unintentionally reinforce the perception that supplements represent accessible and efficient solutions to complex health concerns. Such representations risk obscuring the broader principles of nutritional adequacy and balanced dietary practices that constitute the foundation of public nutrition recommendations. Taken together, these findings suggest that while news media play an important role in disseminating nutrition-related information, the framing strategies observed in the present study may contribute to the simplification of scientific evidence and the amplification of benefit-focused narratives. From a public health perspective, this highlights the importance of strengthening evidence-based health communication practices and promoting more balanced reporting that contextualizes both the potential benefits and the limitations of dietary supplement use. Finally, the results of this study contribute to the literature by demonstrating how media framing shapes the presentation of dietary supplements within public information environments. By combining media analysis with a nutrition science perspective, this study provides insights into how health-related messages are constructed and communicated to the public. These findings may be relevant for nutrition professionals, policymakers, and science communicators seeking to improve the clarity, accuracy, and public health relevance of nutrition information disseminated through the media. 5. Conclusion This study consists of a content and framing analysis of 45 news articles obtained through a simple random sampling of reports retrieved from the official website of the BBC, based in the United Kingdom, using the search terms supplement , nutraceutical , and protein powder . The findings derived from this analysis are interpreted within the broader framework of nutrition, food, and community health literature. The results provide important insights into how dietary supplements are represented in media discourse, particularly with regard to benefit–risk perceptions, scientific legitimacy, the influence of social media, and target-group–oriented patterns of use. As a multidisciplinary study, the findings contribute to both Communication Studies and Nutrition Science. From a communication perspective, the content and framing analyses demonstrate that the news articles identified through the selected keywords are limited to a specific time period within the BBC’s searchable archive. In this respect, improving the accessibility and indexing of reports on dietary supplements—potentially through AI-supported search and categorization systems—may facilitate more comprehensive retrieval of related content. The simplified word list and context tables derived from the BBC news corpus also indicate strong thematic coherence within the sampled articles. The analysis reveals that five frames commonly expected in news coverage of dietary supplements—namely the Food Supplement Category Frame, Scientific Frame, Benefit–Risk Balance Frame, Social Media Frame, and Target Audience Frame—are present in the news texts. However, while most frames are clearly represented, the Social Media Frame appears relatively weak, despite the fact that a substantial share of contemporary supplement-related content circulates through social media platforms. The contextual analysis further indicates that the news coverage generally adopts a relatively neutral stance from a scientific perspective. This neutrality is reflected in the balanced emphasis placed on both the benefits and risks of dietary supplements, often supported by references to expert opinions. Among the dietary supplements most frequently featured in the news are protein powders, collagen, vitamin D, magnesium supplements, taurine, and creatine. While some reports cite academic studies, expert opinions, and clinical or preclinical evidence, others provide limited or no scientific references. In this context, safety considerations and the balance between potential benefits and risks emerge as central evaluative criteria in media reporting. Cases describing adverse outcomes associated with misuse or excessive consumption further highlight the importance of appropriate dosage, individual characteristics, and safety considerations. From a nutritional science perspective, these findings highlight the importance of nutritional literacy in shaping public understanding of dietary supplements. Media representations may influence perceptions of the necessity, safety, and effectiveness of supplements, thereby affecting consumption behaviors. Since decisions regarding supplement use are often influenced by family members, peers, magazines, and online sources rather than healthcare professionals, the quality and accuracy of nutrition-related information disseminated through the media become critically important for public health. Improving the clarity and scientific grounding of nutrition communication may therefore contribute to more informed decision-making and support the responsible use of dietary supplements. The findings of this study also carry several practical and policy implications. For nutrition practitioners, the results underline the importance of actively participating in public communication processes and providing clear, evidence-based explanations regarding the appropriate role of dietary supplements within a balanced diet. For health journalists, the findings highlight the need for careful use of scientific sources and more comprehensive contextualization of supplement-related information in news reporting. Policymakers and public health institutions may also benefit from these insights by developing guidelines and communication strategies aimed at improving the accuracy and reliability of nutrition information in the media. Strengthening collaboration between nutrition scientists, media professionals, and regulatory bodies may help reduce misinformation and promote more responsible communication about dietary supplements. Nevertheless, several limitations of this study should be acknowledged. The analysis was limited to selected media sources and a specific time period, which may not fully represent the broader media landscape. In addition, the study focused on media content rather than directly examining audience interpretation or behavioral outcomes. Future research could expand the scope by including different media platforms, such as social media channels and digital health influencers, and by investigating how media framing influences individuals’ perceptions, nutritional literacy, and supplement consumption behaviors. Expanding scientific research on the health effects of dietary supplements and developing harmonized regulatory approaches will remain important priorities for community nutrition and public health. Such research would contribute to a deeper understanding of the relationship between media communication, nutrition knowledge, and public health practices. Funding Statement The author(s) declared that financial support was not received for this work and/or its publication. Footnotes Edited by: Stefano Mancin , Humanitas Research Hospital, Italy Reviewed by: Gabriele Caggianelli , Azienda Ospedaliera San Giovanni Addolorata, Italy Nadimin Nadimin , Polytechnic of Health Makassar, Indonesia Data availability statement The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/supplementary material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author. Ethics statement Ethical approval was not required for the study involving human data in accordance with the local legislation and institutional requirements. Written informed consent was not required, for either participation in the study or for the publication of potentially/indirectly identifying information, in accordance with the local legislation and institutional requirements. The social media data was accessed and analyzed in accordance with the platform's terms of use and all relevant institutional/national regulations. Author contributions MB: Conceptualization, Resources, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. ME: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Resources, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. KE: Conceptualization, Resources, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. Conflict of interest The author(s) declared that this work was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. Correction note This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the scientific content of the article. Generative AI statement The author(s) declared that Generative AI was used in the creation of this manuscript. During the preparation of this work the authors used Open AI ChatGTP4 to improve writing style and check grammar and spelling. After using this tool, the authors reviewed and edited the text as needed. Authors take full responsibility for the content of this publication. Any alternative text (alt text) provided alongside figures in this article has been generated by Frontiers with the support of artificial intelligence and reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, including review by the authors wherever possible. If you identify any issues, please contact us. Publisher’s note All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher. References 1. 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