Pivot to well-being – Health trends in 2020

Wellness doesn’t mean just changing your diet or taking supplements. It’s a mindset, a change in beliefs and common actions. People choose plant-based, plastic-free, and ingredient-conscious alternatives because they have to – not only to support their health, but also the environment. Consumers are more aware than ever of the impact their purchases have on the world around them. Sustainability has become the spearhead of our lives in an effort to protect the Earth and our bodies. Below is a list of the top 10 trends for 2020 that we have compiled.

Plastic-free: In addition to reusable shopping bags, other items such as fruit bags, stainless steel straws, reusable cups, beeswax wrapping sheets, and silicone bags have emerged to replace their plastic equivalents and are very popular. Coffee shops, grocery stores, and self-serve bulk stores are making great strides in reducing, or even eliminating, plastic from their shelves. Consumers are rewarded for bringing their own cups, containers, and bags, while images of our plastic use and its impact on the oceans flood the media.

Elixirs: They help heal the gut, stimulate the brain, support immunity, reduce stress; they are warm and creamy. Elixirs are high-end drinks mixing a variety of adaptogens, herbs, collagen, healthy fats, tea, and/or coffee to become a nutritious beverage. The time of good old black coffee is over! Elixirs enhance the morning drink routine in the best way.

Free Genetics: Harnessing your personal genetics to develop your own unique protocol to optimize your health? Okay! We will see an increase in the personalization of nutrition, supplementation, and health monitoring and management through genetic testing.

Oats: Move over almonds, cashews, and coconuts – there’s a new (more sustainable) kid on the block. Oat milk is making its way into drinks, creamers, proteins, ice creams, and butter alternatives. Its creamy texture lends itself easily to a variety of uses. Even more interesting is its sustainability factor. It takes six times less water to grow oats than almonds, ten times less land to grow oats than to produce dairy, and fortunately, we grow oats easily in Canada!

Sleep: People are becoming aware of the negative impact that simply losing a few ZZZs can have on health. We are investing in a multitude of support measures to prevent this from happening. Diffusers containing essential oils, weighted blankets, personalized supplements, and high-quality non-toxic organic mattresses and sheets are becoming the norm. We have also started tracking our sleep using personal health devices and heart rate variability (HRV), so we are not only recording the duration of our sleep, but also its quality.

Vegan alternatives: This year, plant-based diets will become even more important. Vegan fish oil is emerging, offering all its cardiovascular, brain, and eye health benefits without harming our fish populations. Our clothes are also becoming vegan – no more fur and leather – make way for fabrics like bamboo and recycled rubber. Consumers now understand that if they don’t eat animal products, it’s also better not to wear them!

Wellness at work: It’s no longer just about safety. We are seeing that the wellness activities we participate in during our personal time are overlapping into our workdays. Studies show that allowing flexibility and wellness breaks can help retain employees, reduce stress, and sick days. Group exercises, healthy snacks, meditation breaks, scent-free policies, and work-from-home days are becoming the norm, even in the most traditional office environments.

Collagen – still in STYLE: Collagen shows no signs of slowing down. The healthy beauty ingredient has proven it deserves to stay for another year due to its many benefits. Collagen can have a positive impact on joints, mobility, and gut health while reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and improving skin elasticity. Collagen is expected to be a staple in most of our pantries in 2020 and beyond.

Transparency and traceability: Consumers are increasingly aware of the ingredients on the labels of the products they buy. Transparency of what actually goes into a product will be necessary, as will its traceability. Consumers want to know who is affected by their purchase and, as a result, are supporting fair trade initiatives more than ever. Ensuring that products are ethically sourced and manufactured is a determining factor in the "buy or not buy" question.

Buy local: Supporting small businesses rather than large stores is becoming more common. When you support a local business, you support your community, as that business has likely shopped from a local business, service provider, or farm. When you shop at local stores rather than mass retailers, you also reduce your environmental impact and you will get better customer service!

So, to answer the question "What are the 2020 trends?" There is no short answer. One thing is certain; more attention will be needed to reduce plastic waste and promote more environmentally friendly routines. Whether it’s adopting a plant-based diet or supporting local businesses, the most important trend of the year will have to be doing your best for yourself and for the planet.