We’re picking up where we left off in our previous post – Vegan, Keto, Carnivore – with some more health trends to watch in 2019. Of course, for the most part, this blog is light-hearted. Just because something is trending does not mean it’s healthy or something you should do. These popular ideas are gaining traction for various reasons and often times it’s due to a particular celebrity or brand driving a big marketing campaign. That said, we are glad to see some of these resurface/surface. Read on to learn more about the health trends of 2019.
Health Trends of 2019
Wearable Tech
This isn’t a new trend per se but the tech is getting more advanced. We’re already aware of the variety of brands like Garmin, FitBit, Apple that offer watches and straps to collect multiple data points like steps, heart rate, skin temp and breathing rate. But it looks like 2019 will wearable tech will stretch to jewellery that can record activity, sleep, stress, meditation and reproductive health! The Oura Ring is just one to mention but you can find a long list here of the tech on the market right now.
Home Fitness Revolution
Let’s face it, getting to the gym can be stressful and intimidating! But you really don’t need to go near the gym anymore. Not only can you find thousands of videos on youtube, you now have access to real-time workouts letting you join a class from the comfort of your own home. Popular fitness sites like ToneItUp have created an incredible community with live classes which you join via their app. ClassPass Live and FIIT also stream a wide variety of classes live. Both brands also create the opportunity for you to track your progress with a chest strap to track heart rate. And the trend is only growing with gym equipment brands jumping on board. Peloton has now launched live spin classes from the comfort of your home. All you need is the bike, giving you 24/7 access to spin. While this is a brilliant idea for the spin junkie, we’re hoping hotels jump onto this one! And it’s not just the bike – treadmills, weights and rowers are following suit!
Plant-based boom
The recommendation to eat more fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds is nothing new but also remains one of the hardest recommendations to stick to. Yet the trend toward plant-based eating is seeing a significant boom in recent years. The veganuary campaign reported a record-breaking year in 2018 with 183% growth in participants. 2018 Was the year alternative meat hit the mainstream market. Plant-based milk now accounting for 13% of milk sales and the trend is showing no signs of slowing. The fact is, we’re becoming more conscious of both our health and that of the planet. And you can see the demand is big – Aldi and Lidl are launching plant-based meat alternatives and big brands are certainly hedging their bets; Nestle took over Sweet Earth Foods, Canada’s largest meat distributor, Maple Leaf Foods, swept up Field Roast and Lightlife Foods; and Dean Foods struck a distribution deal with Good Karma (source). Plant-based fish next?
Authenticity & Knowledge
One trend we’re loving is the continued growth of well-informed consumers. This trend is not only pushing bigger corporates to rethink their ingredients but also shifting preference to the local producer and celebrating Irish. Artisanal products, ingredients with a sustainability story, or just simplicity in an ingredient label all fall within this trend.
The hope is that 2019 continues to push this trend forward, demanding more clarity around food labels, marketing messages and celebrity endorsement when it comes to food. Of course, there’s a separate web to consider in the supplement industry. Baby steps.
The Lab Comes to your House / All Shapes & Sizes
We’re acknowledging biochemical individuality better than ever before. In fashion and beauty, we’re accepting all body types, shapes, colours and sizes as the industry is finally recognising we’re all unique. The plus-size market is no longer a separate category. Likewise, we’re getting access to more and more testing at our fingertips – Last year, DNA tests exploded and home testing companies are responding to demand with a sophisticated set of offerings to tell you about everything from your hormones, heart health, gut health/microbiome, stress/sleep and much more. Understanding this data provides you with deeper insight into your overall health and support the personalised approach to diets, supplement programs, exercise routines, and more.
Endocannabinoid System
2018 saw CBD land everywhere – from food to beauty products. 2019 promises to move this trend from niche to mainstream. This year, you’ll certainly be hearing a lot more from the endocannabinoid system. Discovered only recently, the ECS is a major system in the body with which compounds in hemp interact. The Hemp Business Journal estimates that the U.S. hemp industry will grow to a $1.9 billion dollar market by 2022. CBD protein powders, pain-relief patches, and vaporizer pens are also filtering into the market, and there’s a growing number of brands combining CBD with other herbal ingredients. Even coca-cola is rumoured to be involved.
So there you have it, health trends of 2019. What do you make of these?
