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efficacious while others couldn’t hold a candle to their conventional • Intermittent fasting for way more than just weight loss.
counterparts. More recently, the best ones were high-end and not Last year’s ketogenic trend is still going strong, but a growing
accessible to everyone. Now, in 2017, all of that has changed. Not body of research is showing that intermittent fasting (IF) is one of
only are we more aware of what’s going into our products thanks the best, proven ways to improve health in the short- and long-term.
to watchdog organizations like the Environmental Working Group While many people have success losing weight with IF, its benefits go
(and its ingredient database and ranking system, Skin Deep) and much deeper. IF is linked to better blood sugar balance, decreased
increased demand for transparency, but large corporations are inflammation, and increased cognitive function, too.
finally hearing our call. IF—much like the Paleo diet—somewhat mimics the way our
For example, Unilever has emerged as one of the most ancestors ate and lived. At revitalize this year, Steven Gundry, M.D.,
progressive players in the natural beauty space. Earlier this year, renowned cardiologist and author of The Plant Paradox, explained
the company promised improved transparency in its ingredient lists, that “our ancestors didn’t crawl out of their cave and say ‘What’s
specifically lifting the veil from “fragrance,” one of the most mysterious for breakfast?’ There wasn’t any refrigerator or even any storage
items on a product’s ingredient list. At present, manufacturers system.” And it’s true, sometimes our ancestors didn’t find food until
selling products in the United States aren’t required to disclose lunch or even dinnertime. Scientists are now discovering that this
the ingredients that go into the fragrance under the guise of “trade period without food may be quite therapeutic for the body and brain.
secrets,” but many natural beauty companies do anyway, and by
the end of next year, so will Unilever. The company also launched

“Health” can mean many different

things, but ultimately, a healthier

workforce is a happier workforce.

a new in-house brand, ApotheCARE Essentials, in November 2017, • “Big food” is making big moves.
to meet the needs of consumers demanding hair care, body wash, For years, coastal consumers have enjoyed access to healthy
in-shower oils, and body moisturizers with a cleaner ingredient list. foods, easily stumbling upon kombucha or probiotic-filled chocolates
Natural deodorant is another hot topic, which is projected to grow in trendy, niche boutiques and health food stores. This past year,
more than 15 percent every year until 2022. Procter & Gamble got we’ve seen larger corporations embrace wellness, starting a strong
a head start and acquired buzzy brand Native, which is aluminum- ripple effect and bringing better food at better prices to grocery
and paraben-free. Like Unilever, the corporation vowed to disclose stores across the country. These moves indicate a strong interest
the ingredients in “fragrance” by the end of 2019. in millennials, a demographic with an estimated USD 1 trillion of
• Collagen becomes the ultimate gut-healing superfood. buying power who are more dedicated to eating well and supporting
Collagen is one of the cleanest types of protein powders, free ethical, sustainable business practices with their dollars than any
of many additives that typically fill the supplement aisle. Consumers other generation.
are increasingly interested in knowing where their food comes from PepsiCo has also re-upped its game, serving this population with
and exactly what’s in it, and collagen, with its single-ingredient its North American Nutrition division (who partnered with mbg to find
label, serves that demand. Collagen also has gut-healing properties this year’s Next Great Nutritionists). “Size and scale enable us to
and is increasingly being used to treat many modern ailments make nutritious foods and beverages accessible to more people,”
from anxiety to acne. “Collagen is a protein found naturally in PepsiCo NAN president Seth Kaufman told mbg. “We can ensure
our bones, joints, cartilages, and skin,” explains Bindiya Gandhi, healthy options are always within reach—making sure consumers
M.D. “Unfortunately, as we age, the natural production of collagen can enjoy nutritious, convenient, affordable, great-tasting choices
decreases. Supplemental collagen is great for skin care, anti-aging, every day wherever they are.”
repairing the gut, improving wound healing, immune system, and Looking forward, we’ll hopefully see more sustainable, nourishing
more.” products become mainstream, as the power of the corporate world
Vital Proteins, the category leader in the collagen space, has opens up doors of possibility to every person living in this country
seen 250 percent growth over the past year, and, after the influx of and, ultimately, the world.
USD 19 million of capital, that number should only continue to rise in
2018. The brand recently launched collagen creamer and collagen เอกสารอ้างอิง/References
matcha, both of which joined their existing beauty water and bone http://businessadvice.co.uk
broth powder product debuted earlier this year. www.habitsforwellbeing.com
www.mindbodygreen.com
28 FOOD FOCUS THAILAND JUL 2018