Middle-aged men are increasingly turn to unproven online wellness trends in an attempt to boost their sexual potency – but there’s little to back them up
Middle-aged men increasingly turn to unproven online wellness trends in an attempt to boost their sexual potency, new research has revealed.
The study found that British men above the age of 35 spend more than £2billion a year on wellness products, services, and advice influenced by social media.
Nearly half (42%) view wellness content more than once a day, with most visited topics including fitness workouts (53%), supplements (41%), mental health practices (39%), and weight loss or fat burning products (36%).
The study, by healthcare company Voy, also revealed the top five wellness trends with vitamins (59%) in the top slot, followed by performance and muscle-strength supplement creatine (26%) and cold plunges (22%). Forty eight per cent of men have tried trends after seeing them on social media.
Much of the interest in wellness advice is fuelled by men searching for tips on improving sexual wellbeing (45%), more than those looking to improve sleep quality (38%), increase energy levels (31%), or reduce stress (30%).
However, medical professionals warn that the unregulated and unproven nature of online wellness content results in many men receiving bad advice that preys on their insecurities.
Dr Jeff Foster, NHS GP and Director of Men’s Health at Voy, said: “Men are bombarded with wellness advice on social media every day, from the nutritional supplement shilajit to cold plunges to testosterone-boosting foods. The problem is, much of it is anecdotal, unregulated, or simply overhyped.”
According to the study, 40% of men find it difficult to judge whether information is scientifically accurate, and another 40% believe they have been served misinformation.
Despite the fears over misleading claims, nearly half (49%) were unlikely to consult a medical or scientific expert before following a wellness trend.
The physician warned that to avoid getting scammed or taking unsafe supplements that could be harmful, men seeking a health or bedroom boost should seek professional advice before committing themselves to a wellness trend.
“It’s important to know which treatments are evidence-based – such as clinically supervised testosterone replacement therapy – and which are just trending fads without solid research, often promoted through unverified supplements,” he said.
Dr Foster added: “It’s particularly striking to see that almost half of UK men above 35 have tried wellness trends after seeing them on social media, showcasing just how powerful these platforms are at shaping choices, even when the results aren’t guaranteed.”
Men looking for verified advice on what wellness trends are effective, and which are liable to flop, can explore Voy’s personalised wellness plans and book their first clinical appointment here .
Top 5 social media wellness trends for men
- Vitamins – Nutrients for overall health, immunity, and energy support (59%)
- Creatine – Performance & muscle-strength supplement (26%)
- Cold plunges / ice baths – Cold exposure therapy for recovery & alertness (22%)
- Testosterone-boosting foods – Diet-based hormone support (18%)
- Hot therapy – Heat treatments for circulation & relaxation (17%)