From time to time, almost every day, we hear in different ways about the multiple benefits of a food supplement, infusion, or herb for one (or all) aspect of health. Aloe vera, garlic, vitamin D or marijuana. Everyone has had a moment of victory. Now, a huge interactive graphic from Information Is Beautiful gives us all answers on what works and what doesn’t, and what’s harmfulbased on scientific evidence.

How does the chart work?

First of all, we must learn to read the data provided by the graph. There is different variables that we can change according to our interest: Sort the balloons alphabetically by popular interest (by number of Google searches) or scientific interest. We can also change their color to be grouped by proven activity (blue to yellow) or element type.

Additionally, a filter is included that allows to display only bubbles that refer to a specific health issue or a health supplement category. And finally, we find the orange bubbles that indicate supplements that need to be watched closely, because they show promising results despite having little scientific evidence.

This chart is a version published by the same website in 2012 and updated with scientific data from 2010. At the time, it wasn’t interactive and didn’t allow for too many configuration options, but the concept continues and the sorting continues. What is done in this first chart is what allows us to compare the popular interest in certain supplements with their actual health benefits.

By clicking each of the bubbles in the original chart, brief summary of what ailments the item has been tested for and based on what studies. Information Is Beautiful also gives us free access to the data from which the chart was created (and updated automatically).

very good supplements

Among the products with the greatest scientific evidence, Coffee helping to prevent the risk of cardiovascular accidents, Ginger for nausea and vomiting, or Vitamin D to improve overall health. They also pay special attention to the subject. caffeine to strengthen long-term memory.

good supplements

this coconut oil for obesity, give a stimulant chronic pain or folic acid are the highlights of this second section for prenatal defects. And they recommend focusing Turmeric as a treatment for stomach ulcers.

promising

highlights iron for the psychomotor development of children, lavender for depression (moderately and with medication) and calcium for colorectal cancer (as prevention, not treatment). The relationship between Vitamin K2 and lower prostate cancer rates.

after supplements promisingwe find the line worth itthat is, separating the valuable from the worthless. Looking at the graph, it can easily be deduced that there are many more elements among those who contributed nothing than among those who contributed.

this inconclusive

Most sought after by the public Green tea, for both cancer prevention and cholesterol treatment. In both cases, the scientific evidence is contradictory or insufficient.

this fish oil and omega 3 they look like other star Among those looking for supplements to take care of their health: from improving sperm to preventing cardiovascular disease, improving symptoms of depression or boosting intelligence in children. In no case does there seem to be conclusive evidence that omega 3 makes any contribution.

Those who barely help

Among the supplements that contribute almost nothing to health, Omega 3, this time for psychosis, Crohn’s disease, diabetes or asthma, there are almost no studies proving its benefits. We also find other well-known products such as goji berries, ginseng wave lavender.

No contributors

Among those proven to have no health benefits, the most popular supplement is, black tea for the prevention of ovarian and breast cancer. Something quite common, such as its application, also draws attention. Aloe vera in the treatment of cuts and burns without scientific evidence demonstrating its effectiveness. same as him Omega 3 for the treatment of ADHD or spirulina to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

damaging

The bottom of the chart is reserved for the worst part of so-called health supplements: those that not only contribute nothing, but are also harmful.

they emphasize antioxidants, which not only prolongs life, but also vitamins A and E can be harmful; most dong quaimay increase, rather than reduce, the risk of cancer; most folic acid for cancer prevention, when proven to increase risks in combination with vitamin B12; most valerianwhich not only reduces insomnia, but also has many negative effects; or retinolThe risk of causing prenatal defects is greater than preventing them.