The beginning of a new year is the perfect time for a fresh start, and taking steps toward being healthier—no matter how big or small—is a wonderful idea any time of year. But since most resolutions fizzle out by February, you’ll want some tricks up your sleeve to ensure success.1
Enlist the help of these 2019 wellness trends to keep that momentum and crush your resolutions this year.
#1 Trending in Stress Support: Hemp Oil
Trying to keep up in an always-on world can be a pretty stressful experience, and minimizing stress is one of the smartest resolutions you could make because stress has a monumental impact on mind and body health.2 Plus, stress and sleep are tightly linked—when you’re stressed you may have trouble sleeping, and having trouble sleeping can be a source of stress.3
If stressing less made your resolution list this year, good for you! But don't go it alone - full spectrum hemp extracts like CV Sciences CBD Oil Gold Formula are trending, and they can help with stress, sleep support and more.
Why is Hemp Oil Trending?
Along with word of mouth among wellness-seeking trendsetters, the growing popularity of hemp can be largely attributed to the science of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a bodily system that is highly receptive to compounds in full-spectrum hemp extract, including cannabidiol.4 Stimulation of this system is at the core of hemp extract benefits, including stress support, better sleep and digestive health. Learn more about the endocannabinoid system and hemp oil extract benefits in What is Full Spectrum Hemp Oil Extract?
#2 Trending in Nutrition: Mesonutrients
If you have nutritional goals on your mind this year, this trend is for you. “Meso” means “inside,” and it’s all about taking a deeper look—something we’re behind 100%. Beyond calories and macronutrients like fat and protein (although those are important too), mesonutrition focuses on the active ingredients and beneficial compounds in superfoods that impart their wellness superpowers.
Which Mesonutrients are Popular?
There’s no shortage of trending mesonutrients, and some of them may even sound familiar—like curcumin, the active component of turmeric for anti-aging, joints and cognitive health, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) from green tea for its antioxidant properties, or lutein for vision health in the face of blue light exposure from too much screen time on digital devices.
Other mesonutrients you may want to add to your wellness routine include berberine from the Berberi plant for healthy blood sugar balance, antioxidant anthocyanins from tart cherries for joint and heart health, lycopene from red produce for heart and skin health, bones and beyond, and the always-popular resveratrol, which occurs naturally in dark chocolate and wine.5,6,7
Check out What is Resveratrol? and Tart Cherry Benefits for a deeper dive into some of these nutrients, and read Pack Your Pantry: How to Make a Real Food Pantry for tips on stocking superfood staples to help you eat better.
#3 Trending in Total-Body Wellness: Herbs are Back in a Big Way
Whether your New Year’s resolutions involve goals related to weight, productivity, moving more, stressing less, sleeping better, or just taking better care of yourself overall—there’s an herb for that!
Herbs aren’t new in health and wellness—archeologists have found evidence of herbs being used for health purposes dated as early as 60,000 years ago.8 But this year you can expect to see more of these time-tested health solutions from Mother Nature because modern science is backing up their benefits.
Herbal Trends to Try
Here are a few herbal trends to help you meet your resolutions.
- Adaptogens for Stress: Try adaptogenic herbs like Rhodiola rosea, Ashwagandha, and holy basil to promote a healthy stress response
- Ayurvedic Herbs: Many adaptogenic herbs have a history in Ayurvedic traditions, and other Ayurvedic herbs are trending too—like triphala for detox and healthy digestion, rejuvenating amla extract, and shatavari, a balancing herb for women’s health
- Brain & Energy Support: Bacopa monneri, ginkgo biloba leaf extract, and coffee fruit extract are clinically-studied to promote mental performance, concentration and focus—try them in our combined Pure Brainpower formula, or try Pure Energy for all-day energy from herbs without the jitters.
- Herbs for Joints: If your resolution is to get moving, support your joints with Pure Joint from Swanson Pure Science Herbals featuring clinically-studied herbal ingredients that support joint health and promote joint comfort in as few as 7 days
#4 Trending in Keto: MCT Oil Goes Mainstream
After the popularity of keto dieting in 2018, it isn’t surprising that keto staples are showing up everywhere. Specifically, you can expect to see these three letters popping up a lot this year—MCT, which stands for medium chain triglycerides. MCTs are fatty acids, but your body processes them differently than other fats, using them right away for energy.9 MCT oil is extracted from coconut oil.
The keto diet is low carb but high protein and high fat. The keto diet works by tricking your body into thinking it’s fasting—putting your body in a “ketogenic” state, which burns fat instead of carbs for fuel.10 Read What is a Keto Diet? to learn more about the keto diet, its history, and how it works.
For those on the keto diet, MCT oil is good for helping dieters maintain ketosis and boost energy. But even if you aren’t eating keto, it’s energizing and a better choice than other saturated fats with some potential health benefits.10 Supporters say it boosts energy and mental focus while helping with weight management goals when paired with diet and exercise.
How to Try the MCT Oil Trend
The most common way to use MCT oil is to put it in your coffee, which is a spin-off of butter coffee or coconut oil coffee. Check out the post What is Keto Coffee, Coconut Oil Coffee and Butter Coffee? if you’re curious about how all this got started and why you might want to add fat to your morning cup of joe.
But in 2019, carrying MCT oil to add to your coffee will become optional, and its use is expanding. MCT is showing up in coffee shops, creamers and convenient ready-to-use products like snack bars and drinks. You can also get MCTs from our Pharmaceutical Grade MCT Pure supplements.
#5 Trending in Food: Plant-Based Proteins
Meat substitutes and plant-based proteins have been around for a long time, but they’re getting a lot more realistic and the trend is steadily growing. This past year brought increased popularity of meatless burgers that don’t seem meatless at all—innovative new products that provide the texture, flavor and “beefiness” of a real burger without meat. That success has paved the way for expansions in the world of plant-based meats. What’s trending next? Plant-based fish and vegan seafood.
Should You Try the Plant-Based Protein Trend?
Meatless protein options aren’t just for vegetarians and vegans. We could all stand to get more plant-based foods in our diets, but preferably from real food sources. Experts say there is evidence that replacing meat-based protein in our diets with plant-based protein may have benefits for heart health, and plant-sourced foods are packed with nutrients.11 But don’t assume that applies to these new meatless options. They may be plant-based, but most are also highly processed, and you’ll still need to keep your eye on the nutritional information to watch for saturated fat, high sodium content, and other ingredients that you may not want in your diet.
We are completely on board with getting more protein from plant-based sources, but the less processed the better. Get your plant-based protein from whole foods that are naturally rich in protein, like nuts and seeds, beans, quinoa, oats, wild rice, and chia seeds. Some vegetables also contain protein, including sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, spinach, and broccoli.
For a convenient way to boost your intake of plant-based protein, try Swanson’s Real Food Plant Protein made from simple, wholesome plant sources and nothing artificial. It’s delicious and blends easily with no chalkiness, and it’s available in two flavors - dark chocolate and vanilla. Learn about the science behind this innovative protein supplement in the article The Science Behind Your Supplement: Real Food Protein.
Stay Tuned for More Wellness Trends
We’ll be exploring more hot wellness trends and how they can help you on your wellness journey in future posts. Sign up for Swanson Health emails so you don’t miss a beat! You’ll also get our best deals and special promotions throughout our 50th birthday year. And if you’ve tried one of the wellness trends above, share your experience in the comments below.
Enjoyed this article? Check out More than a Trend: 5 Health Trend Pairs that Should Stay and What’s Trending Now? Buzz-Worthy Updates in Beauty.
About Lindsey Toth, MS, RD
Registered Dietitian, Swanson Health Products
Lindsey is a nationally recognized registered dietitian and nutritionist with a soft spot for ice cream. She empowers people to take charge of their health by finding the balance between the pleasure and nourishment in food.
Her philosophy is that you should take care of your body because it’s the only permanent home you have. It’s what inspired her to pursue a career in nutrition and, ultimately, led her to Swanson Health.
Sources
1 80% of New Year's resolutions fail by February — here's how to keep yours. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/new-years-resolutions-courses-2016-12 (Accessed 01/10/2019)
2 The Effects of Stress on Your Body. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/effects-of-stress-on-your-body (Accessed 01/10/2019)
3 Sleep Deprivation and Stress. HealthDay. https://consumer.healthday.com/encyclopedia/stress-management-37/stress-health-news-640/sleep-deprivation-and-stress-646063.html (Accessed 01/10/2019)
4 Cannabinoid receptors: where they are and what they do. PubMed. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18426493 (Accessed 01/10/2019)
5 Berberine—A Powerful Supplement with Many Benefits. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/berberine-powerful-supplement (Accessed 01/10/2019)
6 New studies link antioxidant-rich tart cherries to a healthy heart. The University of Michigan Medicine. https://www.uofmhealth.org/news/Tart%20cherries (Accessed 01/10/2019)
7 Lycopene: Health Benefits and Top Food Sources. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/lycopene#other-benefits (Accessed 01/10/2019)
8 How Long Have Humans Used Botanicals? The University of Minnesota. https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-long-have-humans-used-botanicals (Accessed 01/10/2019)
9 7 Science-Based Benefits of MCT Oil. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mct-oil-benefits (Accessed 01/10/2019)
10 History of the ketogenic diet. PubMed https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19049574 (Accessed 03/16/2018)
11 Nitrogen balance after a single oral consumption of Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volúbilis L) protein compared to soy protein. A randomized study in humans. US National Library of Medicine https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5955778/ (Accessed 09/12/2018)
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
