Do probiotics really work
Interview findings: diverse beliefs on probiotics' benefits and drawbacks
For the purposes of this assignment, I interviewed ten individuals. Of this number, three individuals used probiotics and three did not. This means that 30 percent of respondents engaged in the probiotics usage, while 70 percent did not take any probiotic supplements. The main reasons cited for the probiotic usage included the beliefs that they promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria; they help keep the body healthy and working well; and they can treat problems caused by antibiotics. In turn, the main reasons provided for not using probiotics included the beliefs that they may trigger allergic reactions, and they may cause diarrhea. However, the main reason named by five out of seven individuals that did not engage in the probiotics usage was that they are a total waste of money. In other words, 57 percent of respondents who did not take any probiotic supplements believed that there are no health
Survey reveals majority would continue taking probiotics despite lack of proven benefits
When those who take probiotics were asked to reply whether they would continue taking probiotic supplements if provided with scientific data showing that there are no apparent health benefits of probiotics for average healthy people, two individuals said they would not change their behavior, while one would. This means that 66.6 percent of those engaged in the probiotics usage would continue taking probiotic supplements in spite of scientific evidence, while 33.3 percent would change their behavior. The main reasons for continuing to take probiotics included personal feelings of the benefits that they provide and the stories of friends or acquaintances who took probiotics and supposedly felt improvements in the work of their organism. In turn, the main reasons for not continuing to engage in the probiotics usage if presented with scientific evidence showing there are no health benefits included the overall feeling and impression that probiotics do not affect the digestive health.
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Survey reveals majority would continue taking probiotics despite lack of proven benefits
In summary, my data aligns with Achenbach’s (2015) claims about human behavior. Most of the respondents who engage in the probiotics usage said they would not change their behavior even if presented with scientific proof that probiotics have no health benefits. These individuals prefer to rely on personal experiences and stories rather than statistics and science, seeing a causal connection where it may be none. Even the main reasons for why people take probiotic supplements in the first place support Achenbach’s (2015) arguments: they respect the leading beliefs, meaning they have a “hierarchical” and “individualistic” mindset. Simply said, though it is not irrational for such individuals to reject established science of the lack of benefits of probiotics, they do not want to be thrown out of their “tribe,” because their beliefs are motivated largely by their emotions, and the biggest motivation, according to Achenbach (2015), is remaining tight with one’s peers. This means that to change the beliefs of those who take probiotics would require the scientific evidence to be provided to them by those they can trust and who would share their fundamental values.
Reference
Achenbach, J. (2015). The age of disbelief. National Geographic, 227(3), 31-32, 34-37, 39-42, 44-47.
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