Did you take your vitamins today? What about a supplement? If so, you’re in good company. 75% of Americans do, despite the lack of clear research on whether they actually work. I’ll admit, I feel the pull too. Basically every six months I consider taking Magnesium as a sleep aid because “people” “swear by it”.
Today the supplement industry is worth nearly $70 billion dollars – and has grown by about 50% in the last few years. In a recent episode, Planet Money noted that consumers are increasingly eager for a “magic pill” that will drastically improve their health. And in true Planet Money fashion, they tried to meet that demand by making their own supplement: The Money Gummy™. They eventually ditched the idea because actually selling something like that to listeners like you was – as you might imagine – ethically dubious, at best.
In the 1970s the Food and Drug Administration called supplements “nutritionally irrational”, but to this day, they remain largely unregulated. Despite this, lots of people still take them! Including… me. But NOT the memory-boosting jellyfish supplement (this is real) mentioned in the episode. We all have our boundaries. I draw the line at jellyfish.
Eat your veggies,
🥬Em
The week’s best episodes
…to share with your vitamaxxing friend
🫘 What’s Eating America? Consider This spoke with NPR reporter Joe Hernandez about What’s Eating America?, a deep dive on how Americans cope with skyrocketing food prices. (Spoiler: we eat way more beans!)
🧠 Feed Your Head
Some people have an inner monologue going at all times, some folks are guided by waves of wordless feelings, while others don’t hear anything at all. Short Wave tackles the big mystery of the inner voice: how do researchers study it?
🎶 I B e l i e v e !
My central-Jersey, former (?) theater-kid heart is soaring for this Fresh Air interview with Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells speaking with Terry on the 15th-year anniversary of The Book of Mormon. We hear what it’s like making cameos in the smash Broadway show almost a decade after starring in it.
➕ For subscribers: How does AI fit into the reporter’s toolkit?
The US midterm elections are fast approaching and NPR Politics reporters are trying to understand how we can use AI as a newsgathering tool in specific cases (like aiding in research or finding sources). We hear from two NPR politics reporters on how AI is useful and where it falls short. Get access to this episode (and sponsor-free listening) by signing up for NPR+.
(Please note: NPR journalists can use approved AI tools only for specific tasks. For more on NPR's editorial guidance on AI, you can check out this section in our Ethics Handbook.)
One to Watch
NO streaking the pitch, NO reusable water bottles and NO iconic (but loud) vuvuzelas at the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup. The highly-regulated tournament kicked off yesterday and will be in stadiums throughout North America through July 19.
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