Health and Wellness

Wellness has been identified by Euromonitor International as having the furthest-reaching impact on industries and consumers in the future. This report looks at the link between rising longevity and consumers’ search for a healthy life and highlights…

Now in its seventh edition, this report explores the top digital shopper trends that will redefine commerce the most in the year ahead. Some of the trends included in this edition touch on topics such as second-hand shopping, community group buying,…

The next billion consumers represent new growth opportunities worth trillions of dollars in consumer spending across the globe. However, the next billion consumers are not a monolithic cohort, as they vary hugely from market to market. In order to…

Plant-based alternatives are in emerging stages in Asia and set to gain traction. Companies must navigate the unique perception of meat and dairy in this region to introduce plant-based products that match consumer expectations of nutrition, taste…

The trend towards plant-based diets in Thailand is rapidly gaining momentum, as health-conscious consumers increasingly opt for plant-based options. With growing demand for healthier choices, particularly protein from soybeans, and grains that are…

In 2022, more consumers, particularly those of the younger generation, started looking for high protein staple foods as a result of the fitness craze. An increasing number of people began to visit gyms and exercise regularly in the review period.…

The idea of health and wellness varies at a category level within staple foods. For instance, high fibre products that use whole grains have a strong position in rice, baked goods, and breakfast cereals. Sales of grain-added rice, such as brown rice,…

In 2022, amid inflationary pressures and the higher cost of living in Singapore, consumers placed greater emphasis on essential goods and often prioritised cheaper alternatives with similar quality and health benefits, resulting in uneven value…

Consumers’ health consciousness and interest in nutrition were growing even before the pandemic. However, after COVID-19 hit Japan, the health and wellness trend accelerated, as consumers strived to maintain their general health to lessen the risk of…

Rising health awareness is increasingly driving Indonesians to make dietary changes in an effort to improve their nutritional intake, lose weight and reduce the risk of certain diseases. This trend – which was reinforced by concerns surrounding…

Traditionally, an Indian breakfast generally consisted of cooked food such as idli, dosa, paratha, and upma. However, in the past few years, with increasingly hectic lifestyles, urban consumers have been pressed for time, and consumers have looked…

Local consumers have been paying greater attention to their diets since the pandemic and, therefore, are exploring different dietary plans. In Hong Kong, flexitarian has, in fact, attracted the most attention. A local survey indicates that the city's…

Amidst heightened awareness amongst Chinese consumers of the adverse effects of excessive sugar consumption, the rise of low sugar and no sugar claims is evident across various product types, particularly staple foods. Within baked goods, traditional…

Due to the postponement of the third phase of the sugar tax in Thailand, which was postponed from 1 October 2022 to take effect on 31 March 2023, carbonated beverage players have had to act quickly to launch innovative products in response. Most…

There has been a general increase in awareness of health and wellness amongst Taiwanese consumers since the COVID-19 crisis, which is having a direct impact on consumers’ decision-making when they are purchasing soft drinks. Local consumer demand for…

During the pandemic, South Korean consumers became more conscious of the need for healthy hydration and the reduction of sugar consumption. This led to dynamic growth for natural bottled water and “water-like” natural RTD tea. Although decline was…

Amid upcoming tightened regulations on the advertising of high sugar drinks and ongoing inflationary pressures, soft drinks are expected to downsize in terms of pack sizes to better accommodate impulse consumption occasions. Commencing on 30 December…

More consumers are turning towards drinks that offer fortification or functionality, as these are increasingly seen as options that can help to improve their diet. Consumers want to improve any health issues that they are concerned about, and are…

As Indonesians become more health-conscious, they are increasingly inclined to choose – and often willing to pay a premium for – soft drinks with added functional ingredients that can improve their general wellbeing, reduce the risk of certain…

Over the last few years, The Coca-Cola Co has been trying to diversify by introducing a host of health and wellness beverages and reducing its dependence on sugary carbonated drinks. For instance, it is working on reducing the sugar content of its…

Since the pandemic, local consumers have become extremely aware of the importance of health and wellness. According to Euromonitor International’s Voice of the Consumer: Lifestyles Survey 2022, 71% of Hong Kong respondents stated that they…

Chinese consumers are becoming increasingly health-conscious and concerned about the negative health effects of excessive sugar consumption. This has led to the rise of better for you soft drinks, including low and no sugar drinks. This is also being…

As food manufacturers respond to the shift towards healthier eating habits in Thailand, they are not only introducing new options with no or low sugar claims, but they are also strategically investing in marketing campaigns that align with evolving…

The already prominent health and wellness trend received a significant boost from the experiences of the COVID-19 crisis, as consumers faced the fear of contracting the disease and the challenges posed by the sedentary lifestyles and overconsumption…

Increasing media coverage about high consumption of sugar, fat and salt raising the chances of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and even cancer, has increased demand for products low in these ingredients. Concerns about…

The global energy crunch in 2022 led to cost inflation which adversely impacted Singapore’s import-reliant snacks industry, resulting in price-sensitive consumers’ shift to favouring snacks in larger pack sizes which offer better value for money.…

The volume growth of snacks in Japan has been hampered by the fact that the population is facing a declining trend. Moreover, companies have been having difficulty controlling product costs and maintaining their profits, as raw materials, energy, and…

So-called “clean label” products – ie those that are less processed, contain fewer but more nutritious ingredients and are lower in sugar, salt, fat etc – continued to perform positively in multiple snacks categories in Indonesia in 2022. These types…

In India, obesity has been on the rise for the last few years. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), about 6.4% of women and 4.0% of men aged between 15-49 are obese, considering a standard BMI (Body Mass Index) of more than 30.…

The current health and wellness trend, which was accelerated by the emergence of the pandemic in Hong Kong, has resulted in the launch of a wide range of healthy snacks. Snacks based on vegetables and options accompanied by claims such as high…

Leading up to 2022, the Chinese market exhibited a scarcity of options within dairy free ice cream, with minimal sales activity. However, the landscape underwent a notable transformation in 2022, emerging as a pivotal year, characterised by…

In 2022, hot drinks continued to be driven by health and wellness trends that included low sugar content and functional products offering higher specific value. To remain competitive, both small and large hot drinks brands have been introducing new…

Demand for instant tea is being dampened as Taiwanese consumers shift towards a healthier mindset in light of the COVID-19 crisis. It is a trend for consumers to have their drinks without sugar in order to stay healthy. Indeed, sugar has become a…

In 2022, health and wellness hot drinks in Korea saw a trend towards consumers looking to reduce potentially harmful ingredients, rather than adding extra benefits. This led to growing consumer demand for better for you products, such as low/no sugar…

The increasing availability of plant-based instant hot drinks, such as coffee, is in line with wellness trends as local consumers perceive plant-based substitutes to be better for the body compared to regular dairy. The dairy element in instant hot…

With the prolonged impact of the pandemic, health continues to be top-of-mind for many Japanese consumers. More people are turning towards beverages that offer fortification or functionality, as these are increasingly seen as options that can help to…

Public education campaigns and information obtained from social media are making people in Indonesia – particularly middle- and higher-income consumers – more aware of the many health risks associated with being overweight or obese. Despite this,…

The Indian Government is confronting the grave danger that malnourishment poses to the population. In 2018, it launched POSHAN (Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition) Abhiyaan to address the issue. The target demographics for the…

The pandemic resulted in heightened health and wellness awareness among local consumers, which has led to them reducing their intake of certain ingredients detrimental to their health, such as sugar, fat and salt. This trend continued to drive demand…

In 2022, there was a noticeable increase in consumer interest in fortified/functional hot drinks, due to the significant health and wellness benefits they offer. These hot drinks provide a convenient way for individuals to incorporate beneficial…

With the increasing prioritisation of health and a growing scarcity of time, consumers are actively seeking faster and more efficient ways to safeguard their wellbeing. As a result, drinking milk products with fortified/functional attributes have…

The increasingly sophisticated character of consumer demand for dairy products continued to be driven by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout 2022, despite the fact that related restrictions were lifted in October of that year. Before…

Dairy products are already known to be nutritious, as a natural source of calcium and protein, and also probiotics for yoghurt; however, innovation has continued to increase the health and wellness options available, in line with heightened interest…

Singapore’s Ministry of Health implemented a Nutri-grade labelling system on 30 December 2022. The regulation affects all pre-packaged beverages and beverages from automated dispensers sold in Singapore. Under the scheme, Nutri-Grade beverages with a…

Facing a continuous decline in the birth rate, and consequently the population, growth in health and wellness dairy products and alternatives has been hampered. However, as consumers’ health consciousness and interest in nutrition was growing even…

Plant-based dairy products and alternatives have become increasingly popular in Indonesia in recent years as rising health-consciousness and concerns about environmental sustainability and animal welfare issues have led more people to embrace vegan,…

Nestlé was the dominant player in baby food in 2022, with the company synonymous with trust and assurance of quality. Baby food, including milk formula, is considered essential for the holistic development of babies and young children, both…

Hong Kong started 2022 with the fifth wave of COVID-19, with over 1.2 million citizens testing positive during the first quarter of the year. The outbreak dramatically intensified consumers’ concerns regarding their health and wellness, particularly…

Protein has been regarded as important nutrition for boosting immunity since the emergence of COVID-19 in 2020. This has led to the boom of high protein claims in dairy products and alternatives, and has been driving new product developments with a…

Health-conscious consumers in Thailand are increasingly opting for plant-based cooking ingredients and meals, further driving the shift towards plant-based diets. Plant-based ready meals is an emerging niche in Thailand but perceived as a lighter and…