These ingredients might be the star of your next meal, but are they really as healthy as they are chalked up to be?
As we head into 2023, everyone has one new year’s resolution: to get fitter and healthier. But just going to the gym isn’t going to cut it. Fitness requires systematic changes to your diet and overall lifestyle.
While this process might seem hard, it can become much easier if you know how to meet your nutritional needs while honoring your cravings at the same time. If you are all set to start your diet in January but don’t know where to start, here is a list of all the up-and-coming health food trends that you need to know about.
Plant-based meat substitutes/
Plant-based meats, also called meatless meats, have been on the rise in the past couple of years. In 2022, the plant-based meat market was estimated to be worth over US$10 billion, and this figure is expected to rise to US$33.99 billion by 2027. The reason these meats are becoming so popular is the environmental impact of meat production. Meat production accounts for 60% of all the greenhouse gas emissions attributed to the food production industry.
Another reason people are migrating to plant-based meats is that they are healthier than traditional meats. For instance, while 4 pounds (1.81 kg) of ground beef has 95.2 mg of cholesterol, the same amount of Beyond Meat (a U.S.-made vegan meat substitute) has 0 mg of cholesterol.
Should you try this trend:
It is important to remember that while plant-based meats are healthier than traditional meats, they are not necessarily “healthy”. These meats have a lot of sodium in them. Going back to the same comparison we drew above, 4 pounds of Beyond Meat has 350 mg of sodium. Of course, this varies depending on the meat substitute you are consuming. So, make sure to check the nutrient list before you switch to a variety of meatless meat.
Ginseng
Another popular trend in the healthy food space is using ginseng as an ingredient. Ginseng refers to a collection of 11 different varieties of short, slow-growing plants with fleshy roots. These plants are rich in antioxidants and are believed to improve brain function.
Ginseng is also known to have positive effects on Type 2 diabetes patients, helping them control their blood sugar. The ingredient is widely used in energy drinks and also in skincare products for its anti-aging benefits.
Should you try this trend:
While ginseng is an extremely popular ingredient in Chinese medicine, it doesn’t hold equal footing in Western medicine. There is no evidence to show that it actually is an effective ingredient for energy drinks. It can also have side effects, such as diarrhea, insomnia and blood pressure fluctuations. Make sure to consider these factors if you do choose to include ginseng in your diet.
Yuzu
Yuzu is an East Asian citrus fruit that has its origins in China and is a popular ingredient in Japanese and Korean cuisine. Just like Ginseng, yuzu is known for its antioxidant properties, which make it capable of reducing inflammation. Because of its rich citrus flavor, it is a key ingredient in many hard seltzers, iced teas and sparkling waters.
Besides being used in food, yuzu is also used in J-beauty and K-beauty products.
Should you try this trend:
If not for its health benefits, then for the sheer taste, this ingredient might be worth trying out. If you consume it from time to time, there should be no real harm in consuming yuzu. However, there are some potential side effects that you need to be aware of. If you have a sensitivity to citrus fruits, consuming yuzu can lead to skin rashes, watery eyes and wheezing. Similarly, if you suffer from chronic heartburn, consuming an acidic fruit like this isn’t in your best interest.
When following health food trends, it is important to note that any studies done to prove the effectiveness of these trendy products typically take place in a controlled environment. Outcomes can be different when you consume these products in your daily life.
As mentioned above, each trend has both positive and negative aspects attached to it, which should be given equal weightage when deciding whether to add a product to your diet or not. Some suggest that instead of thinking about individual trends, the focus should be on overall healthier eating habits. As long as you are conscious about the food you consume, even the ones we discussed in this article, you should be able to reach and maintain your health goals in the coming year.
Also read:
- How Is Technology Influencing the Food and Beverages Industry?
- A Guide to the Most Popular Alternative Meats
Header image courtesy of Envato
