Towards good health, fitness and happiness
An in-depth look at the health and wellness products popular in the market today.
The last few years have seen a paradigm shift in the attitude of Indians towards health and wellness. From dates going so far back that it’s untraceable, most of the wisdom of superfoods originated from India itself.
We are gradually moving towards our physical and mental well-being like never before, placing extra emphasis on what we eat, how we feel and how fit we are.
On a general scale through rigorous research, we have learnt that up until 2015, India’s health in metro cities (socio-economic a & b) was on a steady decline. More than 85-90 percent of our youth is protein deficient. Now, more than ever, young girls are faced with issues like PCOD, which are directly linked to lifestyles.
An insight into the Indian health and wellness market
With a gradual change, more consumers (through awareness of the right information) are becoming health-conscious with each passing year. Healthy options are gradually increasing as well. What was once an unstructured ecosystem is slowly transforming into an active and growing sector with a range of new generational offerings.
Here’s an in-depth look at the health and wellness products dominating the market today:
Nutraceuticals
The new mantra for good health is not just ‘how you look’, but ‘how you feel’. Good and responsible nutraceuticals products work to improve the quality of lives. They help to fill the nutritional gaps in diet, which elevates various aspects of health. These supplements are crafted for various applications. A good comprehensive blend of superfoods that are dosed well together, always serves to enhance your strength, longevity and overall immunity. Plant-based proteins. which is the best way to reach your protein goals, finally has a strong voice as people have understood the benefits of migrating towards better sources.
Naturally healthy foods
The demand for naturally healthy foods has witnessed a spike in India as consumers started making wiser consumption decisions. Superfoods such as oats, spinach, brown rice, amla, grape seed, green tea, chlorella etc. have become a popular source for nutritional support.
State-of-the-art fitness centres
Fitness is no more seen as a luxury; it has become a way of life. Today, not just urban cities, but Tier II and Tier III cities and even smaller towns are experiencing a sudden surge in the number of the health club and gym memberships. In fact, according to a 2016 report by FICCI and EY, the fitness centres and gyms in India are predicted to witness a growth of 18 percent in the next ten years.
Wearable fitness devices
A number of new and existing players in the market are leveraging technology to create health and wellness tools like wearable devices to target urban consumers across age groups. Fitness trackers, smartwatches, GPS-enabled gadgets and heart-rate monitors instantly became a popular accessory for the health-conscious, and they continue to see considerable growth each year.
Digital platforms
With the penetration of smartphones in the country expected to rise to almost 40 percent by 2019, health is made more accessible for Indians with digital fitness and nutrition platforms. These mobile apps allow people to sign up for open gym memberships, schedule their workout sessions, provide them with goals-based diet charts and offer information tailored to the user's profile.
Alternative therapies
Wellness has always been at the core of Indian history as the country is the birthplace of treatments like Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy. The government of India is launching a number of programmes such as the Make in India initiative to provide impetus to these ancient healthcare systems and push the wellness industry of India much far ahead.
Mental wellness solutions
With the hectic lifestyle seen today, stress and anxiety issues have become quite common. Mental health had a stigma attached to it but fortunately, people are slowly beginning to understand its importance. Thus, there is an active market in India today for foods that aid mental wellness and centres that help people attain a more holistic state of being.
As there is an increasing need for consumers to stay fit, look good and feel happy, the Indian health and wellness market is growing at a significant rate year-on-year. In fact, the sector as a whole is set to cross the Rs 1.5-trillion mark by FY20, as predicted in a report by FICCI and EY.
Now that the people of India have started to realise that health and wellness are imperative for their holistic wellbeing, it won’t be long before we are a much happier (by being fitter & healthier) country!
Bibliography
http://medind.nic.in/ice/t15/i4/icet15i4p149.pdf
https://www.welltodoglobal.com/india-market-report-wellness-trends-growth-market-opportunities/
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/303931
http://ficci.in/sector/83/Project_docs/Wellness_profile.pdf
(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of YourStory.)