The primary reason why people made a habit of purchasing functional foods was to improve their immunity. (Image : Pixabay)
SEOUL, Sept. 16 (Korea Bizwire) — Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year, more than 7 in 10 South Korean adults have reported having a stronger interest in improving the strength of their immune system, a recent survey has revealed.
Market research firm Opensurvey conducted a survey of 1,000 men and women between 20 and 59 years of age, in which respondents could choose multiple answers for each question.
In response to a question asking which aspect of their health they cared most about since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, 73.3 percent of the respondents picked the strength of their immune system.
On average, respondents turned out to have spent a total of 280,000 won (US$237) to buy functional foods 3.5 times per year.
Roughly two thirds said the primary reason why they made a habit of purchasing functional foods was to improve their immunity.
In response to a question asking if there was any functional food they decided to start using or buying more since the outbreak of COVID-19, 55.4 percent said they hadn’t changed their purchasing patterns, and were not buying more than usual.
However, the share of respondents who said they started using or increasing the use of vitamins was relatively high at 20.5 percent, followed by lactobacillus probiotic foods (15 percent) and red ginseng (11.4 percent).
“Despite the increase in the use of functional foods, South Koreans’ efforts to improve their dietary life to improve their health still remain weak,” Opensurvey said.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
