The Microbiome
We’re
beginning to understand that the billions of bacteria that live in our
guts (collectively called “the microbiome”) are the keys to our health.
But there's still a lot we don't know, like how, exactly, they interact
with other systems in the body to influence digestion and metabolism.
What we do know is that the future of food involves a personalized
dietary prescription, catering to each person’s unique bacterial makeup.
And for now? Eating close to nature is still your best bet for optimal
health.
Coconut Sugar
We’ve
been on the hunt for a better, healthier sweetener. Agave was the
darling of the wellness world until word got out about its high fructose
content and processing, meaning it wasn’t as healthy as we thought.
Enter coconut sugar, a low-glycemic, unrefined sweetener that tastes
great. It might just be what your sweet tooth’s been waiting for and I
expect brands like Big Tree Farms to make serious headway in 2014.
Backlash Against Hormonal Birth Control
We’ve seen several personal stories here at MBG about the side effects of hormonal birth control, and it’s getting even more attention in the mainstream media in magazines like Vanity Fair and Elle
painting a picture that's not so rosy for the pill. There are benefits
and side effects to every drug, and birth control is no exception.
Expect to see more dialogue about side effects and increased interest in
more natural methods.
Lights For Health
Science shows that poor lighting can seriously impact your sleep, your mood, and even your health. Some studies
will go as far as saying that artificial lighting wreaks havoc on your
body clock, which is the driving force behind unexplained disease.
Expect to see more companies like Definity Digital coming out with bulbs that can give us more energy and even help us sleep better.
Moderation
Unfortunately,
being healthy can sometimes become an obsession, which is ironically,
not healthy at all. (In fact, there’s a name for it: orthorexia.)
In the past year, we’ve seen a shift in posts at MBG – from hating on
gluten and sugar and booze to condoning some mindful consumption of
these. I see more and more people realizing that true health is about
having balance at home and at work, and it's a trend that I'm pretty
excited about.
Genetic Testing
I
believe in the power of data. Having insight into our genetic
predispositions, whether it’s something serious like heart disease (or
something fun and fascinating like discovering our true ancestry) can
help us optimize our diet and lifestyle for maximum health and wellness.
Companies like 23andme
will become invaluable tools for wellness enthusiasts to make more
informed lifestyle decisions. Even though the FDA is carefully watching
these companies and the claims they make, $99 for DNA analysis makes me
think there are going to be lots of people charging genetic testing to
their credit cards next year.
Meditation As A Performance Booster
Many
come to meditation looking to alleviate stress, sleep better, or to find
a deeper connection within. But there’s a new crop of people flocking
to meditation: those looking to enhance their performance at work, which
is why there’s a meditation boom in Silicon Valley and Wall Street.
What was once seen as a new-agey hobby is now considered a tool that can
give you an edge to think more clearly at work. Companies like Google
and Aetna have meditation programs for their employees. Look for more
employers to jump on this ancient bandwagon in 2014.
HPP Juice
There's no question that we're in the middle of a juice revolution with brands like Suja, Evolution Fresh, LoveGrace, and BPC leading the way nationally, while The Juice Press (NYC), Jugo Fresh (Miami), Kreation, Pressed, and Moon Juice
(LA) have been focused on local markets. Thanks to the technology HPP
(High Pressure Processing), what was once a local, raw, business (and
able to stay on shelves for only 24 hours) is now able to reach national
scale. HPP technology uses pressure instead of heat, to inactivate
microorganisms (such as bacteria, virus, and yeast) to extend shelf
life—making it possible for these juices to show up in national chain
stores. HPP can make some juicing purists cringe, but we’ll see more HPP
beverages and juices on the shelves in 2014. I’m thrilled to see
anything that makes it easier for more folks to get some greens.
Back To The Basics Workouts
With
Crossfits popping up on every corner, I’m seeing more people skipping
the gym and doing workouts that require nothing but yourself and a
little bit of space. That’s right, good ole’ fashioned push-ups,
sit-ups, pull-ups, squat-thrusts, lunges, and running are replacing
dumbbells, barbells, treadmills, and fancy workout machinery. These
types of workouts are also a great way to make exercise more social.
Here’s a group that runs the steps at Harvard Stadium to have fun while staying fit. There's even a 7-minute workout you can do in your office.
Endocrine Disruptors
One of
the many reasons why the “green” in “MindBodyGreen” is so important is
the fact that chemicals in everyday products can seriously affect our
health. Our rampant use of plastic bottles, toxic air “fresheners” and
barely-regulated beauty products sets the stage for “endocrine
disruptors,” chemicals that seriously mess with our hormones. We’re
seeing more and more posts on this topic coming into MindBodyGreen and expect for it to take center stage in 2014.
Digital Detox
Whether
we like it or not, we live in a hyper-connected world. Now we're
starting to see how this can negatively affect our health. Enter the
digital detox, which officially became a word in the Oxford dictionary’s
online version earlier this year. More people are embracing
"disconnecting" and entire businesses exist to help you un-plug. Levi
Felix actually runs a "Digital Detox" retreat, which has become incredibly popular. If you don’t have time to get away, LinkedIn just posted a list of 5 free apps to help you simplify your technological life.