We’re saying Year, Bye ✌️ to 2021 and Hey, Girl, Hey, We See You 👋 to 2022.
As we look ahead to 2022, it’s filled with the promise of a new approach to health, new ways of living, and new ways of eating. And today, we’re breaking it all down with Natreve’s 2022 health and wellness trend report.
“We live in a world with few boundaries and lots of access. There are so many internet therapists, comment critics, and experts with no expertise. Our reality can be warped because it’s based on a personalized algorithm. It shows us whatever truth we are searching for, and that’s dangerous. It’s easy to forget that there’s still so much to discover outside our phones.”
- Beyonce
There’s a lot of information out there, and while you want to be informed, it can feel overwhelming or isolating, or both. Beyonce said it best in that September 2021 Harper’s Bazaar interview. ☝️
So, we scoured the internet, sorted fact from fiction, and focused on five key elements to put on your radar for 2022.
Top 5 Health and Wellness Trends for 2022
- Sustainability: Environmental and Social Impact
- Alt. Protein and Better For You Alternatives
- Food Tech
- Whole Body Health
- Collagen
Let’s dive in....
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Sustainability: Environmental and Social Impact
Waste Reduction
The average American generates roughly 130 kgs of plastic waste per year and Canadians generate around 125 kgs per person per year of plastic waste.
99.9% of recent scientific studies say that we (humans) are behind the Earth’s climate emergency. If you're letting out a deep sigh or rolling your eyes saying, duh, you know the importance of reducing or eliminating unnecessary packaging. This has become more of a priority as we realize that our long-held values and priorities of living our best lives must include the best life for our planet.
You will see more packaging made from eco-friendly, recyclable materials that will contribute positively to our footprint. As a brand, we’re focused on providing the best packaging we can and have a goal of plastic-free packaging by the end of 2023.
Social Impact
We can’t think about the planet without considering all the people who inhabit it. More than reducing plastic, recycling, and upcycling, how can we positively impact those in our communities both locally and globally?
This is a question we ask ourselves when we’re thinking about new brand initiatives and why we’re proud to share that earlier this year, we activated a plastic waste collection branch in Indonesia in partnership with Plastic Bank.
This branch will help improve collectors’ lives and families by empowering them through training, supplying equipment, and setting up a collection point in their local community.
Ones to Watch
With a focus on heirloom and wild-grown superfoods, Ziba Foods is a socially conscious company focusing on providing sustainable impact to marginalized communities.
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Alt. Protein and Better For You Alternatives
Customization and personalization are the new “natural” in terms of buzzwords. We’ll be seeing them everywhere, from vitamins to meal delivery, to skincare and beyond.
Function of Beauty is now offering skincare options that are 100% customizable with over three billion unique formulation possibilities. So, we can see just how far customization can go. And now we’re thinking more about the importance of taking care of ourselves and moving towards better-for-you beverages and better protein options, so personalization is even more important than ever - to get the best-for-you option.
Better Beverages
Red wine is soooo 2000. 🍷For 2022, we welcome hard kombucha, alcohol-free cocktails, hand-crafted alcoholic bevies, wild-fermentation, and functional ingredient-based hard-beverages. Cheers to better-for-you beverages!🥂
Better Protein
When we think of protein, images of a steak, eggs, chicken, milk, and maybe beans or tofu come to mind.
These are typical protein sources, but as we evolve, our understanding of what can be a protein source and how we source easy and high-nutrient solutions for our protein needs. Enter alt. protein (alternative protein or protein alternatives), the solution for our better for you and better for the planet needs.
32% of consumers modified their diets with sustainability in mind in 2021, so it’s no surprise that we will continue to see more elevated plant proteins, cultivated, or fermentation-derived alternatives to meat, eggs, or dairy. In Jan 2021, Green Queen shared their top picks for alt protein, and we will continue to see this source of nutrition at the top of mind in 2022 and beyond.
Ones to Watch
JuneShine Hard Kombucha uses honey (and not sugar) in their recipes, and with flavors like Blood Orange Mint and Grapefruit Paloma, they are the ones to watch (and try!).
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Food Tech
According to Deloitte’s ‘Future of Food’ report, “The food industry is in the midst of a major transformation – disrupting the way we grow, buy, eat and feel about food.”
Cellular agriculture is making a splash in our food ecosystem. Consider this trend as tech in your tummy. Sounds inviting, right? But it’s less Stranger Things and more fermentation, cultured foods, and new ways of food production as a climate change solution.
Everything from meat analogs (aka plant-based meat-like food) to cell-cultured breast milk (shout out to female-founded, Biomilq) to precision fermentation.
As a part of larger sustainable agriculture projects, USDA awarded $10 million to Tufts University for the National Institute for Cellular Agriculture. The first-ever government-funded protein research center.
“Blending our current agricultural practices with plant-based protein and novel cellular agriculture will boost the food supply to meet demand while reducing pressure on natural resources,” ~Reza Ovissipour of Virginia Tech.
Ones to Watch
Using Perfect Day protein, made by precision fermentation, Brave Robot makes sustainable, non-animal, and non-plant-based ice cream possible. Ice cream. Need we say more? 🍦
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Whole Body Health
Innovation for 2022 will be fueled by those who are seeking traditional and herbal solutions.
Using traditional and herbal foods and supplements can help connect us to our inner and outer worlds. Think more rituals, moments, and enhanced wellness in place of fast, quick, and instant, focusing on immune supporting herbs and traditionally used adaptogens for mental well-being and stress support. Health today and long term change for good is the goal because, as Mel Robbins says,
“Your relationship with yourself is the foundation for everything.”
Immune Support
A recent FoodIngredientsFirst article found that “Immunity is globally the number one reason for consumers buying into the health and wellness food and beverage products.”
The immune system can't be boosted, but it can be optimized to work as effectively as possible. Focusing on immune system support, ingredients to put on your watch list are Elderberry and Wellmune.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental health conversations are more openly discussed, with, according to the New York Times, the defining feeling of 2021 is “blah.”
Adaptogens like ashwagandha are herbs and plants that have been used traditionally to bring the body back into balance. And have been used for generations to support mental health and wellbeing. We will continue to see supportive adaptogens take the lead in the wellness space in 2022 as we focus on our mental wellbeing.
A holistic approach to health and wellness includes health-supportive movement and activities like Pilates, meditation, and breathwork.
And the demand for more intentionality and mindfulness in the fitness space continues to be important in our lives in 2022 and beyond. As seen by the fact that yoga and similar modalities are expected to become a $66 billion industry by 2027.
During 2020, reports of mental distress increased, and according to McKinsey, more than half of consumers surveyed said they want to prioritize mindfulness.
With meditation apps, such as Headspace, Calm, and Insight Timer, gaining popularity, it’s no surprise that 82% of consumers believe mental and emotional balance is as important as physical health.
Ones to Watch
Natreve Wellness Series. With products to help you Sleep Peaceful, Stress Less, and for Immune Strength, you will find time-honored ingredients like elderberry and new takes on traditional foods in the form of delicious, on-the-go drink mixes within the series.
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Functional Foods: Collagen
Collagen is considered a functional food because we typically consume it with a specific need in mind. And that need is generally linked to beauty because of its importance in the health of our hair, skin, and nails.
With a shift towards skinimalism and slow beauty in 2021, the focus on beauty from within keeps collagen at the top of mind.
Collagen improves skin health and elasticity and has been a key ingredient over the past few years and shows no signs of stopping.
The collagen industry is slated to be worth more than $16 billion globally by 2028.
Ones to Watch
Orora Skin Science. Much like a childhood spent trying to find Waldo, searching for vegan collagen has been a challenge. HumaColl21 is an animal-free bioidentical human collagen produced through plant-based bacterial fermentation.
Key Takeaways
2022 will be the year of customized, personalized, better, and more sustainable wellness. We’re calling it now. And we’re here for all of it!
Of all the 2022 health and wellness trends, which are you most excited about? Share yours with us using the hashtag #NatreveNation.
