November 2021. The world has been in pandemic mode for a year and 11 months. The virus continues to spread at a slow burn, intermittent lockdowns are the new normal. As estimated 250 million people have been infected worldwide, and 1.75 million are dead. The Covid-19 pandemic has led to dramatic changes in our day-to-day lives.
With more people focused on improving their health and fitness, vitamin and supplement use has risen dramatically. In fact, the nutritional supplement industry has seen its highest growth in over 2 decades, with a 12.1% increase in 2020. The growth is expected to continue, with the people mindset to support their health through supplements. That being said, you may wonder which supplement trends are topping the list.
Here are the top 3 vitamin supplement trends in 2021.
1. Stress SOS
Ever since the beginning of the pandemic, our daily lives is filled with stressful, life-changing events that led to an increase in mental health issues and stress across all age groups. Thus, many people are turning to supplements to support their mental health. The Coherent Market Insights has predicted 8.5% growth rate in the brain and mental health supplement market over the next 6 years.
Ingredients like magnesium, B-complex vitamins, will become more popular, as they are linked to better sleep and lower levels of stress and anxiety. For example, magnesium is believed to affect hypothalamus that is responsible for the response to stress. Besides that, plant-based adaptogens have gradually gained its popularity as studies have shown their properties in supporting the body’s stress response. For example, rhodiola is one of the popular Ayurvedic herbs that can lower anxiety, cortisol levels, and mild depressive symptoms.
2. Beauty support
The next in line is beauty and skin care supplements that is expected to bloom significantly. It is going to a growing priority to treat skin issues from the inside out, either a spoonful of collagen in a smoothie or a pinch of turmeric on a salad.
Some of the top beauty-boosting ingredients include collagen peptides, vitamin C, omega 3, hyaluronic acid, antioxidant rich green tea and vegetable blends. Research has found that diet rich in collagen peptides, vitamin C and omega 3 help in promoting better skin health with fewer signs of aging, such as wrinkles, which is essential for firm, youthful skin.
Besides taking supplements, skin care and lifestyle practices play an important role too. Wearing sunscreen daily, getting enough quality sleep, exercising regularly and consume a nutritious diet are some of the keys to healthy skin, delaying natural aging and prevent various skin problems.
3. Immune health
The Covid-19 pandemic has taught us the importance of our health. There’s been a 50% reported increase in consumption of immune-supporting supplements. Supplements containing zinc, selenium, B complex vitamins, Vitamin C and D, as well as herbal health remedies like elderberry, echinacea, astralagus, turmeric and ginger are believed to play its role in regulating immune system. Besides that, some researchers have found that medicinal mushroom extracts do help to strengthen the immune system, such as cordyceps, lingzhi or reishi mushrooms.
After the life-changing pandemic, health-savvy consumers are becoming increasingly knowledgeable about their own health needs. As for the supplement and pharmaceutical industries, they will be focusing on nutrition for both mind and body, as well as being more transparent on the ingredients they have used.
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