Leading experts reveal how Canadians will be optimizing their health in the New Year
TORONTO, Jan. 5, 2015 /CNW/ - The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) today announced the top five trends Canadians should be aware of when shopping at their local health food store in 2015. With winter in full swing, Canadians are eager for the inside scoop on new, effective ways to optimize their health, naturally, throughout the season and into the New Year. The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) is the voice of the natural health industry and the authoritative source for what is trending in the industry.
"The holidays are a time when Canadians are more focused on spending quality time with friends and family and tend to forget about diets and ease up on exercise," says CHFA president Helen Long. "The new year is an opportunity to make or renew resolutions and reinvigorate healthy habits or create new ones. By sharing these new trends, we hope to help Canadians discover new, exciting, natural solutions to help them enjoy a healthy 2015."
The top five trends are:
New and interesting oils with fancy fats
In 2014 coconut oil was all the rage, and while it has many health benefits, we are seeing more and more people using unconventional oils, each offering their own unique health advantages. Some of the oils that will be trending in 2015, include:
Digestive health
Digestive health is poised to reign supreme in 2015. Increasingly, natural health products that support digestion, including a diversifying probiotic category, are being linked to health benefits beyond digestive and intestinal health, such as mental health, skin health and weight maintenance, among other benefits. In 2015 consumers can expect to see new natural health products focused on supporting the health of the digestive tract including L-glutamine, new probiotics and different forms of dietary fibre.
Fermentation
The trend of supporting digestion also extends to fermented foods, which are no longer limited to kimchi, tempeh and sauerkraut. Fermentation can liberate nutrients in foods and help our body better absorb them. The process of fermentation also increases some anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant compounds in foods. In 2015, consumers should expect to see a plethora of new foods in different fermented forms including bars, powders and capsules.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is primed to be the Kale of 2015. From oils to seeds, we are going to see an increase in the use of pumpkin in healthy products across the country. This unique vegetable has many health benefits and has been linked to heightened prostate and urinary tract health. Pumpkin seeds are also rich in B vitamins, vitamin E, zinc and essential fatty acids. Pumpkin flesh also touts strong health benefits, as it is rich in nutrients including beta-carotene, a pre-cursor to Vitamin A, crucial for healthy reproduction, immune system, health and vision.
GMO labeling
In more than 60 countries around the world, including Australia, Japan, and all the countries in the European Union, there are significant restrictions or outright bans on the production and sale of food containing GMOs. In Canada, GMO labelling demands are on the rise as we see an increase in consumers demanding to know where their food comes from and the impact that producing it has on the environment. While the debate surrounding GMO foods continues, suppliers are increasingly stepping up to the plate and offering certified organic products, which is an assurance that foods are produced without the use of GMOs. Through third-party certification, such Non-GMO Project Verified and Organic Certification suppliers will continue to voluntarily disclose that their products are produced without the use of GMOs. This trend will continue throughout 2015 in response to consumer demands and increasing labelling activism in Canada.
"We hope Canadians embrace these new trends in 2015," says holistic nutritionist, Michelle W. Book. "If they do, they will enjoy a great increase in their wellbeing, as health is a life-long journey that includes healthy foods, exercise and natural health products."
For the full details on the top five natural health trends for 2015, Canadians should visit their local health food store or chfa.ca.
About CHFA
The Canadian Health Food Association is Canada's largest national trade association dedicated to the natural health and organic products industry. The association represents manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, distributors and importers of natural health and organic products, including foods, vitamin and mineral supplements, herbal products, homeopathics, sports nutrition products, health and beauty aids. With a membership of over 1,000 business owners and operators across the country, CHFA represents an industry that contributes $6 billion to the Canadian economy.
SOURCE Canadian Health Food Association
Video with caption: "Video: The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) today announced the top five trends Canadians should be aware of when shopping at their local health food store in 2015. Visit chfa.ca for more details.". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20150105_C6682_VIDEO_EN_9737.mp4&posterurl=http%3A%2F%2Fphotos.newswire.ca%2Fimages%2F20150105_C6682_VIDEO_EN_9737.jpg&order=1&jdd=20150105&cnum=C6682
Image with caption: "New and interesting oils with fancy fats: More people are using unconventional oils, such as avocado, camelina and flax seed oils, each offering unique health advantages. For more information on oils that will be trending in 2015 visit chfa.ca. (CNW Group/Canadian Health Food Association)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150105_C6682_PHOTO_EN_9728.jpg
Image with caption: "Fermentation: Fermentation can liberate nutrients in foods and help our body better absorb them. To learn more about how fermentation can optimize your health visit chfa.ca. (CNW Group/Canadian Health Food Association)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150105_C6682_PHOTO_EN_9729.jpg
Image with caption: "Pumpkin: Pumpkin is primed to be the Kale of 2015. From oils to seeds, we are going to see an increase in the use of pumpkin in healthy products across the country. For more info on this new natural health trend visit chfa.ca. (CNW Group/Canadian Health Food Association)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150105_C6682_PHOTO_EN_9730.jpg
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