From next-level gut health to eye health, here’s all the science behind the trends you’ll see wellness gurus touting next year.

Wellbeing trends can be a tricky line to walk. Often, they’re fads – something we’re told to buy into for a few months and move on from swiftly. Other times, they’re rooted in an expansion of science or a response to genuine issues with modern living.

So, to make sure that the trends we buy into are expert-backed, we asked the best in the business to share their thoughts on up-and-coming wellbeing discoveries. The answers we received were full of exciting and innovative ways of eating, supplementing and moving that we hadn’t considered before. 

The trends build on our love of gut health, brain function and ways to support our bodies and minds in the ever-changing world for optimum health. Here’s what they look like…

Six wellbeing trends for 2023

• NAD+ for skin and muscle health

  

  The rise of collagen has irked many nutrition professionals, with not many ingestible supplements proven to actually make it into the gut alive. In 2023, NAD+ is the new nutrition supplement that promises improved skin and stronger muscles – just like collagen – only with more robust science.

  While trials are still ongoing, it looks promising for NAD+ to be the wellness supplement we all want a bit of in 2023. 

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• PROTEIN FERMENTATION

  

  We all know that fermented foods are brilliant for gut health. But now, alongside kimchi and kefir, fermented proteins are taking the hot seat.

  “Fermented foods are produced by the actions of the microbes. The different flavours, textures and appearances of fermented foods are determined by the certain species of bacteria, yeast and mould that are present within the fermentation process,” says Rachel Chatterton, head of food development at Holland and Barrett.

  “The rise in fermented legumes and grains has been largely influenced by the expansion of the meat substitute market and the move to healthier alternatives. Plant-based eaters are continually searching for new protein sources, and fermented legumes and grains offer a sustainable alternative that is big on flavour but also great for you and better for the planet.

  “Making them is easy. Simply add a culture to cooked beans and legumes to start the fermentation process as you would with kimchi. You can use many different forms of culture, such as whey from cultured yoghurt and kefir or kombucha. Alternatively, opt for store-bought products like tempeh or meat alternatives.” 

• EYE HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS

  

  You look after your gut, mind, muscles and heart… why not your eyes? Holland and Barrett saw a 24% increase in eye health supplements in 2022, and that’s set to rise in 2023 as we adjust our vision to hybrid working.

  We rounded up the eye supplements to buy and tips to look after your eyes below.

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• SEED SPREADS OVER NUT BUTTERS

  

  As an alternative to peanut butter, expect to see pumpkin seed butter and sunflower seed spread all over the shelves next year. The savoury blends are better for the environment, packed with nutrients and a great way to get often-avoided seeds into your diet. 

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• INOSITOL FOR PCOS

  

  With one in 10 women being diagnosed with PCOS and many others with metabolic or hormonal conditions, more eyes have turned to inositol, a supplement that can regulate female hormones and insulin.

  It’s a supplement that’s been around for a while, but with more and more women rightly demanding information and solutions to their medical problems to close the gender health gap, inositol became one of Holland and Barrett’s top searched supplements in 2022. 

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• GRIT WORKOUTS FOR GUT HEALTH

  

  As we come to learn more about the non-nutritional impacts on our gut health, GRIT workouts are going to become more and more popular. Standing for Gut Resilience Interval Training, GRIT workouts promise a way move that eases the symptoms related to IBS or poor digestion.

  “Research shows the positive impact that exercise, specifically low-intensity exercise, can have on IBS symptoms by decreasing stress levels, encouraging bowel movements and improving sleep patterns,” says personal trainer Hayley Madigan.

  With 80% of people with IBS avoiding exercise during a flare-up, Carol McEvoy, communications manager at probiotic brand Symprove, says: “Simple, at-home moves can help ease symptoms and make lacing up your trainers for a workout that bit easier.”

  Madigan suggests the following sessions:

  Workout 1

  Follow the below exercises performing 45 seconds on and 15 seconds off. Repeat three to four rounds depending on ability.

  • Glute bridge
  • Bird dog
  • Dead bug
  • Low lunge with arms reach (swap legs halfway)

  Workout 2

  Perform 20 seconds on and 10 seconds off for eight rounds (equates to four minutes in total).

  • Alternating side lunges
  • Fast punches (shadowboxing)
  • Reverse lunge with twist
  • Crab ankle taps

  Images: Getty

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