One should be wary of the term "natural" on wellness products, as this word serves as a psychological shortcut (halo effect) that falsely suggests safety and efficacy, while its regulatory definition is vague, very limited, and in no way guarantees the quality of a product.

noli's read

Dr. Noc’s remarks on the psychological effect of the word "natural" align perfectly with research on the "health halo effect" cognitive bias. A quantitative study published in the TIJER (observational evidence) confirms that the "natural" label is one of the most powerful marketing signals for positively influencing the perception of a product's safety, prompting purchase through simple mental shortcuts. Regarding regulation, the creator’s description of FDA policy is entirely accurate. The U.S. agency itself confirms that its informal guidance (regulatory expert opinion) only excludes artificial colors or unexpectedly added synthetic substances, but does not govern the use of pesticides or manufacturing methods. Furthermore, a report from the American Society for Nutrition (expert opinion) highlights that the ambiguity of this definition leaves manufacturers free to label highly processed products as "natural." Finally, a publication from the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) points out that this term often masks poor nutritional profiles. Thus, the invitation to look beyond this mental shortcut to analyze a product's actual composition is based on very robust scientific and psychological foundations.

the sources

1. 1Chandon P, Wansink B 2007
2. 2Croker H, Packer J, Russell SJ, Stansfield C, Viner RM 2020