The pandemic affected all of us regardless of location or economic status. Being confined to our homes for the better part of a year had several side effects on our physical health and our mental health. Due to strict health and safety protocols, regular grocery trips became a thing of the past. Fresh fruits and vegetables also became scarce due to logistic issues for most major grocery chains and an increase in demand. We started to purchase foods high in preservatives that could last in our pantries for an extended period.
Arguably one of the critical factors to overall health is nutrition or a balanced diet. Consuming the proper amounts of fruits, vegetables, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats helps keep us feeling good and energetic. Nutrition is also closely tied to the strength of our immune systems. In the time of a global pandemic, proper health has never become more important.
Getting the proper nutrition before the pandemic could easily be accomplished by eating the right foods for you. Things have gotten significantly more challenging for us during the pandemic and in this new normal. Even as businesses start to open up again, we’re not all ready to get back out there. Local restaurants that provided healthy alternatives to fast-food restaurants have also been closing down at a rapid rate.
Unhealthy eating habits partnered with minimal physical activity have caused many of us to tire easier and not feel as good as we used to. As more and more people become more conscious about their health, the vitamin industry has also been cast in the spotlight. Zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin D have all had significant scientific findings that show how they affect our immunity to certain illnesses. To take a look at how the vitamin industry is evolving due to the pandemic, here are some points you need to know:
Traditional Vitamins
Vitamins have long since taken the form of pills and capsules. Vitamin C was already popular for both children and adults before the pandemic. Ascorbic acid or vitamin C helps reduce inflammation and tissue damage connected to our immune system responses and helps our wounds heal faster. Vitamin B12 or Cobalamin helps the central nervous system. Vitamin D helps to maintain the correct amount of blood levels in our body. Vitamin E helps the body to produce red blood cells and Vitamin K for healthy bones.
Some vitamins are taken during pregnancy to help the mother and baby to be healthy. Vitamin deficiencies can lead to health problems such as Anemia, fatigue, slower healing, and poor eyesight. Tablet and capsule forms of these vitamins have extended shelf lives as compared to other forms. However, swallowing large vitamins can be difficult for some people or something they can’t easily incorporate into their daily routine.
Focus on stress and beauty
The pandemic was a scary and challenging time for people in even the best of life circumstances. Juggling difficult financial situations, health risks, child care, and new responsibilities can undoubtedly be overwhelming. The pandemic also caused adverse effects on our mental health. Feelings of stress and anxiety were common occurrences.
Due to this, vitamins that had a stronger focus on stress relief or overall wellness gained popularity. Vitamins containing ingredients such as Melatonin help get a better night’s sleep started to increase in demand. Ingredients like B-complex vitamins, chamomile, and magnesium also became very popular. The way we consumed our vitamins also changed.
Vitamin companies started to develop new ways of delivering our vitamins. Chewable vitamins have been popular ever since the Flintstones multivitamin was introduced to the market. However, we were now seeing new trends. Before the pandemic, vitamins geared more toward the beauty sector, such as collagen to help hair growth and nail health, were made as gummy vitamins or in lively colors and elevated packaging.
Appealing to a younger audience and was heavily marketed through social media. Though the efficacy of these vitamins is debatable from brand to brand, they’ve certainly become prevalent. Liquid vitamins have also become quite popular as they’re easy to take along with any drink. Manufacturers of liquid dietary supplements have helped companies develop and package signature vitamins into liquid form and work on a contract basis.
After the pandemic, the boom in the vitamin industry is a trend that doesn’t look like it will die down anytime soon. Overall, health remains a top priority all over the world. Just as with our mental health, online counseling or therapy has grown popular to consult professionals about our emotions. We should do the same with any vitamins we’re considering taking. Consulting your doctor before taking any medication is still the safe way to go.
