Is it easier to talk to AI than your doctor?
According to a survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, a little more than a third (35%) already use AI to learn about and manage aspects of their health and wellness.
The top uses for this technology include: to get insight into specific medical conditions or issues (31%), to help with weekly meals and recipes (25%), to learn about new exercise routines (23%) and for emotional or therapeutic support and advice (20%).
About a quarter of current users (24%) even use AI to fact-check health and wellness information from other sources, such as social media, health professionals and their friends.
Though relatively new, trust in AI is fairly high, with 63% finding it trustworthy for health information and guidance-scoring higher in this area than social media (43%) and influencers (41%), but lower than doctors (93%) and even friends (82%).
Americans also find that it's easier to ask AI specific questions versus going to a search engine (31%) and that it's more accessible than speaking to a health professional (27%).
The survey, which was conducted by Talker Research for The Vitamin Shoppe's annual Trend Report, found that 21% of AI users already use it specifically to learn about health and wellness trends.
Regardless of whether or not they use AI, a great majority of Americans (73%) are interested in keeping up with the latest health trends-and 68% believe that AI will only become more integral in managing their health and wellness.
"As AI becomes an increasingly powerful tool for health-conscious consumers, this year's Trend Report revealed other key innovations that are shaping behaviors in the wellness space," said Muriel Gonzalez, President of The Vitamin Shoppe. "These include the NAD+ boom for longevity and cellular health, new applications for peptides in sports nutrition, and the surging demand for protein in functional foods and on-the-go beverages. Additionally, we're seeing people gravitating towards alternative supplement delivery formats like liquids and gummies, plus the re-discovery of time-honored adaptogens like shilajit by a new generation of wellness seekers."
Related to these trends, the survey found that 51% are more aware of peptides and their role in health and another 66% are actively trying to add more protein to their diet, compared to five years ago.
Results also revealed some surprising priorities - sleep and rest are the top focus of Americans in their daily wellness routines (54%), even more so than fitness and exercise (46%). And mental and emotional health scored higher than weight management and weight loss (42% vs 38%).
Though 75% are concerned about aging and its impact on their health-hence the interest in innovations like NAD+ and peptides, according to Gonzalez -more Americans are also embracing it with grace, finding peace with aging (44%) versus fighting it to stay young (21%).
According to the survey, vitamins and supplements remain popular with the majority of Americans, with 69% currently taking them. The growth of alternative delivery methods like liquids, gummies, and chews is making it easier to take supplements, according to 34% of respondents.
"This year's survey highlights that most people are interested in improving energy levels, immunity support, and cognitive function, among a range of health goals," noted Sarah Jamison, MD, a member of The Vitamin Shoppe's Wellness Council. "These all start with a balanced diet of nutrient-dense foods and healthy habits like getting adequate sleep, engaging in regular exercise, and practicing stress reduction. These efforts are amplified when we address the gaps that many people have in their daily intake of ideal nutrient levels. That's where high-quality supplements can play a targeted role in supporting overall wellness as well as reaching specific health goals."
Survey methodology:
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 general population Americans; the survey was commissioned by The Vitamin Shoppe and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 16 and May 22, 2025.
We are sourcing from a non-probability frame and the two main sources we use are:
Traditional online access panels - where respondents opt-in to take part in online market research for an incentiveProgrammatic - where respondents are online and are given the option to take part in a survey to receive a virtual incentive usually related to the online activity they are engaging in
Those who did not fit the specified sample were terminated from the survey. As the survey is fielded, dynamic online sampling is used, adjusting targeting to achieve the quotas specified as part of the sampling plan.
Regardless of which sources a respondent came from, they were directed to an Online Survey, where the survey was conducted in English; a link to the questionnaire can be shared upon request. Respondents were awarded points for completing the survey. These points have a small cash-equivalent monetary value.
Cells are only reported on for analysis if they have a minimum of 80 respondents, and statistical significance is calculated at the 95% level. Data is not weighted, but quotas and other parameters are put in place to reach the desired sample.
Interviews are excluded from the final analysis if they failed quality-checking measures. This includes:
Speeders: Respondents who complete the survey in a time that is quicker than one-third of the median length of interview are disqualified as speedersOpen ends: All verbatim responses (full open-ended questions as well as other please specify options) are checked for inappropriate or irrelevant textBots: Captcha is enabled on surveys, which allows the research team to identify and disqualify botsDuplicates: Survey software has "deduping" based on digital fingerprinting, which ensures nobody is allowed to take the survey more than once
It is worth noting that this survey was only available to individuals with internet access, and the results may not be generalizable to those without internet access.
The post Is it easier to talk to AI than your doctor? appeared first on Talker.
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