Determination of consumers' knowledge levels and consumption status on probiotic and prebiotic products

Between March 2022 and May 2022, this study was conducted to determine adult consumers' knowledge and consumption habits of probiotic and prebiotic products. Adults aged 18 to 65 were included in the cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire. Data were collected on participants' knowledge of the terms probiotics and prebiotics, patterns of consumption, frequency of consumption and variables affecting consumption, and diseases treated as a result of their usage. The study involved 447 volunteers, of whom 31.3% were men (n=140) and 68.7% were women (n=307). According to research data, 87.0% of consumers know about probiotics, and 62.2% know about prebiotics. There were statistically significant differences in knowledge of probiotics and prebiotics by sex (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). When analyzed according to education level, probiotic knowledge improved as education level rose (p<0.001). Prebiotic knowledge and education level were statistically significant (p<0.05). Although probiotic and prebiotic knowledge is statistically significant according to education level, more research should be done on products, and individuals should be made aware of this issue.