Why are people going crazy about everything ‘natural’? Study reveals disturbing truth

People always have an innate tendency to reach for ‘natural’ products, considering them to be more reliable and efficient. A study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science assessed this prevalent preference, showing how this ‘natural bias’ affects daily choices and decision making. From food and medicine to everyday items, the word ‘natural’ carries a motivational significance, often leading people to choose these alternatives even when there is no clear evidence of added benefits.

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Prejudice against everything ‘natural’

The research examined people’s behavior when presented with a choice between natural and non-natural options. This bias is present in both low-risk and high-risk decisions. Participants were asked to choose performance-enhancing drinks based on their labels, and the majority went with natural. Similarly to regular meals, participants were given a choice of natural and non-natural chocolate, with natural chocolate being warned that it could cause stomach upset. But still, they chose natural chocolate and reported that it tasted better too.

These are somewhat lower-risk decisions, but even for risky decisions such as medications, participants chose the natural option. In this round of experiments, participants had to choose between a ‘natural’ or ‘synthetic’ drug for a finger prick test, and a good majority chose the natural drug, even though it seemed a little risky.

Why does ‘natural’ dominate everything?

The study highlighted how much power the word ‘natural’ holds. Even if the product is labeled otherwise, if it is labeled natural, people will choose it without a second thought. Whether it’s regular drinks, medicine, or chocolate, research shows that people associate ‘natural’ products with safety, quality, and effectiveness. This preference is so strong that it often overrides logic, causing people to make hasty decisions without taking into account actual efficiency. This is particularly troubling because this belief is prevalent even in high-risk decisions like medications. The belief in everything ‘natural’ is so deeply ingrained in the psyche that it is almost a tunnel vision, ignoring aspects of true efficiency and logic. Even when the product does not live up to expectations, they convince themselves that it is better than what it really is, just because it is labeled as ‘natural’.

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.