(P26-20-26) Prevalence of Use of Select Botanicals in Dietary Supplements Marketed for Sleep Support, NHANES August 2021–August 2023

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to examine the prevalence of botanical dietary supplements (DS) with label claims for sleep support.

Methods: Using data from August 2021-August 2023 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (n=11,993 children and adults) we identified participants who took a botanical DS for sleep support. Ingredients commonly used in sleep products were identified through the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD). This ingredient list was then used to identify DS reported by participants in NHANES. Reported DS were reviewed against corresponding DSLD label images to verify the presence of sleep-related claims. Percentages and standard errors were calculated and pairwise differences were examined using univariate t statistics and trends using orthogonal polynomials.

Results: Overall, the prevalence of use of botanical DS with sleep-support label claims was 1.13% (SE 0.18). Use differed significantly by race and ethnicity, with higher prevalence among non-Hispanic White (NHW) individuals compared with non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and other race groups (1.62±0.28% vs. 0.66±0.23%, 0.23±0.09%, and 0.75±0.27%, respectively; p< 0.05). Prevalence also increased with age, rising from 0.81±0.26% among children aged 0–11 years to 1.47±0.15% among adults aged 60 years and older (p=0.0261). In addition, use was higher among individuals with greater family income (p=0.0057) and adults with higher educational attainment (p < 0.0001). Among botanical ingredients identified in reported products with sleep-support claims, the most common were ashwagandha (7.83%, SE 3.84), black pepper (7.11%, SE 3.57), lemon balm (4.51%, SE 2.73), curcumin (3.24%, SE 1.97), turmeric (3.17%, SE 1.59), echinacea (2.98%, SE 1.35), marigold (2.80%, SE 1.74), tea (2.16%, SE 1.13), ginger (2.10%, SE 1.27), and chamomile (2.07%, SE 1.04).

Conclusions: In August 2021-August 2023, use of botanical DS with sleep-support claims was low in the U.S. population, with higher prevalence among NHW individuals and increasing use with age, household income, and adult educational attainment. A wide range of botanical ingredients were present in these products, highlighting variability in formulations and the need for further research on their safety and efficacy.

Funding Sources: None