Doctor reveals which 2024 health trends you should try – and which ones are best to avoid: If you’ve made a New Year’s resolution, chances are it’s related to improving your fitness and diet – but there are some trends safer to try than others? Dr Luke Powles, Deputy Clinical Director, Bupa Health Clinicexplores everything you need to know about the latest health trends – including which ones are worth following and which might be best avoided:
Biggest health trends predicted for 2024, based on Bupa Health Clinics research:
1. Vitamin B12 supplements and injections
2. Kobucha
3. Lymphatic drainage massage
4. Board
5. Wall pilates
6. Life without alcohol
7. Libido supplements
8. Posture exercises
Health trends to try in 2024:
1. Planking: Searches for planking have seen huge growth in recent months – with beginners and seniors alike turning to their search engines to learn how to get started. It’s a great way to get your body ready, and it’s set to become even more popular this year after recent research shows that planking is one of the best ways to lower blood pressure.
2. Wall Pilates: Wall Pilates offers extra resistance and variety to target your core, legs and glutes. However, if you have back pain and think Wall Pilates will work as a solution, think again – and be sure to talk to physiotherapist first to prevent further pain or injury. .
3. Postural exercises: Our research showed huge increases in searches about tackling “gamer posture” and “tech neck” – something that can affect you if you spend large portions of your day sitting or enjoy gaming outdoors your time. Along with setting up your workstation or games properly, getting up and stretching throughout the day is a helpful habit to avoid poor posture and the aches and pains that can come with it. Stretches, such as cat-cow, used in yoga can also help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes.
Remember, to get the most out of your stretches, the key is to do them regularly and with proper technique. Always talk to a physiotherapist for advice if you don’t feel your regime is improving your posture or if there is still pain.
4. Alcohol-free living: ‘Sober curious meaning’ searches have seen a 1,500% increase in the last year, highlighting the growing interest in the alcohol-free lifestyle. It is always recommended that you reduce your alcohol intake – whether it is completely or have alcohol-free days, as it brings many benefits to your health and well-being. Along with improving liver function and reducing your risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes and some cancers, cutting back on alcohol can also help in the short term. You will also notice improvements in your sleep, weight, skin and mood.
Health trends to avoid in 2024:
1. Vitamin B12 supplements and injections – talk to a doctor first: If you’re feeling more tired or forgetful than usual, you might be looking into vitamin B12 injections or supplements to help. Search volumes have seen significant increases over the past six months.
B12 is an important vitamin for maintaining your nervous system, energy levels and red blood cell production, but too much of it in your body can make you feel sick. Supplements and injections should only be tried if recommended by a healthcare professional.
2. Kombucha: Fermented tea drinks are becoming increasingly popular, but did you know that here’s little evidence of its benefits? While you may have seen claims that kombucha can lower cholesterol, the current research is very limited, so it’s hard to know how much good drinking fermented tea does. What we do know is that kombucha contains probiotics, which are thought to benefit gut health – but we still don’t know to what extent, as there aren’t many conclusive studies in this area.
If you’re looking for ways to lower your cholesterol, talk to a health professional for science-based advice on lowering your cholesterol.
3. Lymphatic Drainage Massage: Lymphatic drainage massage – performed by a qualified practitioner – can work well for people with swelling as a side effect of recovering from cancer or people with inflammation from specific health problems, such as lymphedema, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and chronic vein problems. You may have seen claims that lymphatic drainage can improve your overall appearance, but there is limited scientific evidence to support this.
4. Libido Supplements: In the past few months, online searches for “libido supplements for women” have doubled. It’s normal to see changes in your libido, but if you see a noticeable lull for an extended period of time, it’s important to take a step back and consider the possible reasons before you try a quick fix. Mental health difficulties, menopause and relationship issues are all possible reasons you may lose interest in sex. Along with intimacy with your partner, talking to a mental health professional can help you uncover anything that’s holding you back from a more fulfilling sex life.
