There’s something I do every morning and night without fail, alongside brushing my teeth and cleansing my face: I take my supplements. Such is my years-long habit that I almost pop capsules and sip powders on autopilot—my cupboard heaving with adaptogens and probiotics, as well as vitamins and minerals.
I’m certainly not alone. The $149 billion (£115 billion) global industry is in seriously healthy shape, as increasing numbers absorb the idea the idea that there’s a seamless route to optimum nutrition—for perks like glowing skin, boosted immunity and deep sleep—that so neatly slots into our tightly packed schedules. But how do we know we’re not just swallowing empty promises?