The Claim

Among adults aged 65 and older, higher advertising literacy is associated with greater purchase intention for herbal products advertised with health claims, with a statistically significant correlation (p < 0.001).

Source: Interdisciplinary Examination of the Communication Effect of Herbal Product Advertisements Targeting Health Problems in Older Adults: The Role of Advertising and Health Literacy

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
40score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Correlation
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Older adults who understand advertising techniques better are more likely to intend to buy herbal products that make health claims.

See the scientific wording

Among adults aged 65 and older, higher advertising literacy is associated with greater purchase intention for herbal products advertised with health claims, with a statistically significant correlation (p < 0.001), suggesting that understanding advertising techniques may increase susceptibility to persuasive messaging rather than reduce it.

Why this might work

When older adults recognize advertising techniques, their brain pays more attention to health-related messages, which activates areas that expect rewards. This makes them more likely to choose products they believe will improve their health, even if the claims are not true.

Suggested mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Interdisciplinary Examination of the Communication Effect of Herbal Product Advertisements Targeting Health Problems in Older Adults: The Role of Advertising and Health Literacy

    Older adults who are better at spotting ads and how they work are actually more likely to want to buy herbal products—even when the health claims aren’t real. Knowing how ads trick people doesn’t protect them; it might make them more likely to fall for them.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.