Perceção dos portugueses sobre a adesão a suplementos alimentares derivados da canábis e aspetos regulamentares
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2022
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O número de produtos alimentares contendo derivados de Canábis, nomeadamente os produtos classificados como suplementos alimentares, tem crescido exponencialmente levando a que cada vez mais pessoas tenham curiosidade em experimentar. No entanto, a informação ao consumidor sobre o potencial e características destes produtos não está disponibilizada de forma clara. Surge assim entre a opinião pública, a possibilidade de estarem a ser comercializados de forma duvidosa. Até ao momento, não existem estudos que articulem o tema da Canábis, dos canabinoides e do componente maioritário não psicotrópico, o Canabidiol (CBD) com a regulamentação a nível nacional e a opinião pública sobre os produtos derivados de Canábis. O objetivo deste trabalho é conhecer a perceção que os portugueses têm atualmente sobre o consumo destes produtos, e identificar os seus pontos de venda e de que forma estão a ser colocados no mercado.
Desenhou-se um estudo transversal sobre as caraterísticas do consumo dos produtos à base de Canábis através de um inquérito por questionário original, avaliado e validado antecipadamente por um grupo de 10 especialistas na área da saúde e nutrição, dirigido ao público em geral, divulgado via email e redes sociais. Foi possível recolher 176 respostas ao inquérito, onde foi notório um elevado grau de satisfação (Muito Satisfeito 30,30%, Satisfeito 33,30%) com a toma de produtos à base de Canábis, sendo os motivos da procura igualmente selecionados pela maioria dos inquiridos para os distúrbios de sono (48,50%) e para promover o bem-estar (48,50%). Observou-se que os profissionais de saúde já estão a recomendar produtos derivados de Canábis, no entanto a grande maioria dos inquiridos (93%) desconhece as caraterísticas e propriedades dos suplementos de um modo geral, e confunde um suplemento alimentar com um medicamento. As partes da planta Canábis cujas substâncias ativas são procuradas pelos consumidores por uma capacidade percebida de promover o bem estar, nomeadamente os canabinoides, não estão atualmente autorizadas pela Autoridade Europeia para a Segurança Alimentar (EFSA) para serem comercializadas em alimentos ou suplementos alimentares. Será interessante em estudos futuros saber se o consumo de produtos à base de Canábis autorizados como suplementos alimentares, contendo predominantemente ácidos gordos insaturados, com ação potencial no normal funcionamento do coração e contribuindo para níveis normais de colesterol no sangue, entre outras, e terpenoides, com propriedades antioxidantes e outras, está incluído no grupo consumido para bem-estar e outros efeitos desejados. Em relação à forma de aquisição, foi a via online que se destacou (27,30%) em comparação com lojas físicas (farmácia, parafarmácia, ervanária e grande superfície, total: 21,20%), havendo uma percentagem idêntica para compra em farmácias e ervanárias e menor em parafarmácias (3,00%) e nula em grandes superfícies. Contudo, mais de metade dos respondentes (51,50%) relataram que foi outra via utilizada, nem online nem em lojas do comércio regulado.
The number of food products containing cannabis derivatives, namely products classified as food supplements, has grown exponentially, leading more and more people to be curious to try it. However, consumer information about the potential and characteristics of these products is not clearly available. Thus, among public opinion, the possibility arises that they are being marketed in a dubious way. So far, there are no studies linking the issue of Cannabis, cannabinoids and the non-psychotropic major component, Cannabidiol (CBD) with national regulation and public opinion on Cannabis-derived products. The objective of this work is to know the perception that the Portuguese currently have on the consumption of these products, and to identify their points of sale and how they are being placed on the market. A cross-sectional study on cannabis-based products consumption was designed through an original questionnaire survey, evaluated and validated in advance by a group of 10 healthband nutrition experts, later addressed to the general public, disseminated via email and social networks. It was possible to collect 176 responses to the survey, where a high degree of satisfaction was evident (Very Satisfied 30.30%, Satisfied 33.30%) with the use of cannabis-based products, with the majority of respondents seeking sleep disorders (48.50%) and to promote well-being (48.50%). It was observed that health professionals are already recommending cannabis-derived products, but the vast majority of respondents (93%) are unaware of the characteristics and properties of supplements in general, and easily confuse a food supplement with a medicine. Regarding the acquisition of these products, the online route was the favorite choice of respondents (27.30%). In terms of the regulatory framework, it was found that parts of the Cannabis plant whose active substances are sought after by consumers for a perceived ability to promote well-being, namely cannabinoids, are not currently authorized by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to be marketed in food or food supplements. It will be interesting in future studies to know whether the consumption of cannabis-based products authorized as food supplements, containing predominantly unsaturated fatty acids, with potential action on the normal functioning of the heart and contributing to normal blood cholesterol levels, among others, and terpenoids, with antioxidant and other properties, is or not included in the group consumed for well-being and other desired effects. Regarding the form of purchase, it was the online route that stood out (27.30%) compared to physical stores (pharmacy, parapharmacy, herbalist and supermarket, total: 21.20%), with an identical percentage for purchase in pharmacies and herbalists and lower in parapharmacies (3%) and zero in large stores. However, more than half of the respondents (51.50%) reported that it was another route used, neither online nor regulated trade stores.
The number of food products containing cannabis derivatives, namely products classified as food supplements, has grown exponentially, leading more and more people to be curious to try it. However, consumer information about the potential and characteristics of these products is not clearly available. Thus, among public opinion, the possibility arises that they are being marketed in a dubious way. So far, there are no studies linking the issue of Cannabis, cannabinoids and the non-psychotropic major component, Cannabidiol (CBD) with national regulation and public opinion on Cannabis-derived products. The objective of this work is to know the perception that the Portuguese currently have on the consumption of these products, and to identify their points of sale and how they are being placed on the market. A cross-sectional study on cannabis-based products consumption was designed through an original questionnaire survey, evaluated and validated in advance by a group of 10 healthband nutrition experts, later addressed to the general public, disseminated via email and social networks. It was possible to collect 176 responses to the survey, where a high degree of satisfaction was evident (Very Satisfied 30.30%, Satisfied 33.30%) with the use of cannabis-based products, with the majority of respondents seeking sleep disorders (48.50%) and to promote well-being (48.50%). It was observed that health professionals are already recommending cannabis-derived products, but the vast majority of respondents (93%) are unaware of the characteristics and properties of supplements in general, and easily confuse a food supplement with a medicine. Regarding the acquisition of these products, the online route was the favorite choice of respondents (27.30%). In terms of the regulatory framework, it was found that parts of the Cannabis plant whose active substances are sought after by consumers for a perceived ability to promote well-being, namely cannabinoids, are not currently authorized by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to be marketed in food or food supplements. It will be interesting in future studies to know whether the consumption of cannabis-based products authorized as food supplements, containing predominantly unsaturated fatty acids, with potential action on the normal functioning of the heart and contributing to normal blood cholesterol levels, among others, and terpenoids, with antioxidant and other properties, is or not included in the group consumed for well-being and other desired effects. Regarding the form of purchase, it was the online route that stood out (27.30%) compared to physical stores (pharmacy, parapharmacy, herbalist and supermarket, total: 21.20%), with an identical percentage for purchase in pharmacies and herbalists and lower in parapharmacies (3%) and zero in large stores. However, more than half of the respondents (51.50%) reported that it was another route used, neither online nor regulated trade stores.
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Orientação: Maria do Céu Costa
Palavras-chave
MESTRADO EM PRODUTOS DE SAÚDE E SUPLEMENTOS ALIMENTARES, SUPLEMENTOS ALIMENTARES, PERCEÇÃO, CANÁBIS, PORTUGAL, DIETARY SUPPLEMENT, PERCEPTION, CANNABIS