Exploring nutritional supplement use for countering respiratory tract infections through an X (formerly Twitter)-based survey

Respiratory tract infections are a common health issue, driving interest in preventive strategies like nutritional supplements, while evidence on their usage and effectiveness remains limited. In this context, social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), provide a unique opportunity to gather large-scale public health-related data. In this study, we aimed to survey participants' uses and opinions on nutritional supplements in prevention or treatment of respiratory tract infections, by using X. A survey was conducted between 1st and 15th December 2022. A single open-ended question ‟Which are the best dietary supplements to counteract respiratory infections?‟ was asked. One week after the start of the survey, a poll was posted to get more relevant information and boost the survey's reach. Total endorsements were calculated for each tweet posted as the total sum of replies, retweets, and likes.