Supplements, Diet and Wellness Trends: Where are we in 2017?

Whether we admit to it or not, we’re all hopeful that a supplement of some kind or the latest discovery in the world of wellness can cure us of ailments, relieve stress, prevent the development of chronic diseases, or increase our body’s capacity for muscle growth.

We long for the next batch of scientific evidence that will establish what’s good and what’s bad for us, like the benefits of melatonin which was a popular wellness topic at the beginning of the year.

But theories and trends are prone to changing from one year to the next, forcing us to keep up-to-date with what’s hot and what’s not in the world of health and fitness.

It’s also important to bear in mind that the supplements your body needs or best responds to is also always relative. No one body is like any another and the demands we make on our bodies change regularly over time.

With all that in mind, let’s take a look at where things stand in the industry halfway through 2017.

Sports Nutrition Powders

Industry experts believe that sports nutrition powders remain the leading product in professional, semi-pro and casual athlete performance and will continue to outrun competition from alternative supplement formats, including bars, ready-to-drink formulas and tablets, in the foreseeable future.

This is because powders, unlike ready-made drinks, are stable and maintain their integrity over time.

What’s more, bars and tablets tend to use added sugars to bind ingredients together, which is one of the main reasons why experts believe that powder supplements are still set to dominate the market as we continue through the latter half of the year.

Functional Foods and Beverages

According to Nutraceuticals World, the single, most powerful trend we’re seeing in the wellness industry today is the consumer’s desire to incorporate foods and ingredients that are naturally functional.

Already a proven winner in the dietary supplements category, turmeric is now making headway in the functional foods and beverages sector too.

It’s gaining ground for a number of reasons, but particularly because it’s now known as a natural protector against inflammation.

Getting the Most From Supplements

As the burden of rising healthcare costs continues to perpetuate across the U.S., more and more of us are being advised by our doctors to invest in strength training exercises to reduce the risk of suffering from joint problems, help build muscle and increase stamina.

In 2017, Creatine, Whey Protein, and Soy Protein are considered to be the safest bodybuilding supplements to use, designed to build muscle, reduce fat and burn more calories.

In the world of vitamins and minerals, the Office of Dietary Supplements, which forms part of the National Institute of Health, has concluded that calcium supplements are not always processed by the body in the same way.

Studies have shown that different forms of calcium supplements are appropriate for different situations.

For example, it’s thought that calcium carbonate is better absorbed when taken with food, but that calcium citrate is most likely absorbed to the same degree whether taken with food or without.

It remains to be seen how things will continue to develop as we move into 2018.

So, watch this space.