The popularity of wearable health devices has surged, reflecting an increasing emphasis on preventive healthcare and proactive disease management. These devices, such as fitness trackers and smartwatches, enable continuous monitoring of vital physiological parameters, including heart rate, activity levels, sleep patterns, and even advanced metrics like electrocardiograms (ECGs) and blood pressure.

Their growth has been particularly notable during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, as they offered a practical means to remotely monitor patient health, minimize hospital visits, and reduce healthcare provider exposure to pathogens.

Beyond pandemic-related benefits, wearables hold significant potential for managing chronic conditions, notably cardiovascular diseases, by enabling early detection, personalized interventions, and enhanced patient engagement.

Despite their widespread adoption, challenges persist, especially concerning accessibility and consistent usage among older adults and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Addressing these barriers is crucial to ensuring that wearable technology effectively contributes to preventive health strategies and does not exacerbate existing healthcare disparities.

This article showcases how wearables enable proactive health monitoring and transform personal and clinical healthcare approaches.

How Wearables Work?

Wearable devices like wristbands and smartwatches contain miniature sensors that continuously track key physiological signals. Essential sensors include accelerometers, which measure movement; photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors, which use light to track heart rate and blood oxygen saturation (SpO?); and temperature sensors that monitor skin temperature changes.

These sensors continuously collect and transmit data, enabling wearables to detect heart rate variability (HRV) and oxygen saturation levels, which are crucial for respiratory assessment.

Wearables also analyze movement and physiological signals to track sleep patterns, identifying stages such as light sleep, deep sleep, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is associated with dreaming and cognitive recovery.

Integrated apps utilize proprietary algorithms to convert raw sensor data into meaningful insights, including detailed analysis of sleep cycles, summaries of daily activity, and real-time health alerts. Users interact with this processed information through user-friendly mobile applications.

Overall, by combining advanced sensor technology, continuous health data tracking, and intuitive app integration, wearables offer personalized insights into heart health, respiratory status, and sleep quality, making everyday health management accessible, informative, and proactive.

Preventative Health Benefits

Preventative health strategies leverage early detection, chronic disease management, and behavior modification to enhance health outcomes. Early disease detection through wearable devices can significantly impact conditions like diabetes and atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) offer real-time glucose readings, allowing timely insulin adjustments and substantially improving diabetes control. Similarly, smartwatch-based algorithms accurately detect AFib episodes, enabling early intervention and reducing stroke risk.

Chronic disease management also benefits from wearables by tracking vital signs, medication adherence, and symptom changes, leading to personalized care and reduced complications.

Lastly, wearable devices facilitate behavior modification through biofeedback and activity tracking, promoting increased physical activity, improved sleep, and healthier lifestyle choices. These modifications are critical in managing chronic diseases and preventing their progression.

Despite challenges like data accuracy and patient adherence, ongoing advancements promise greater accuracy, user-friendliness, and integration into healthcare, transforming preventative health into an accessible and integral component of modern medicine.

Healthcare System Integration

Pilot programs integrating wearable devices with telehealth and electronic health records (EHRs) demonstrate significant promise for enhancing healthcare delivery.

Apple’s advancements illustrate how integrating wearable technology into personal health journeys enables users to actively monitor diverse health metrics, including heart rate, mobility, and respiratory rates.

By consolidating data in the Health app and securely sharing it with clinicians, patients gain actionable insights and foster more meaningful patient-provider interactions.

Similarly, successful implementation of wearables in clinical settings, as seen in Ochsner Health System and Kaiser Permanente programs, emphasizes clear problem identification, seamless integration into healthcare delivery, personalized experiences, and technology support.

Both systems adopted remote monitoring via wearable and digital health devices directly linked to EHRs, facilitating real-time clinical decisions, effective health coaching, and tailored patient education.

Critical success factors identified include clinician engagement, alignment with reimbursement structures, and patient-focused technology support. For instance, personalized health coaching combined with wearable-generated data at Ochsner significantly improved hypertension management outcomes compared to standard care.

These pilot initiatives underscore the transformative potential of integrating wearable technology with telehealth and EHRs, highlighting improved clinical outcomes, patient engagement, and healthcare delivery efficiency.

Industry Landscape

The wearable technology sector is led by prominent consumer brands such as Apple, Fitbit, and Withings. These brands have popularized health monitoring by offering user-friendly devices that track physical activity, heart rate, sleep, and ECG.

Apple notably transformed the healthcare ecosystem with ResearchKit, an open-source platform enabling large-scale clinical research and health data collection. This platform significantly expanded wearable integration into clinical studies. Collaborations between these brands and healthcare institutions like the United Kingdom (UK)’s National Health Service (NHS) demonstrate growing trust and adoption.

NHS partnerships leverage wearables for remote patient monitoring, preventive healthcare, and chronic disease management, enhancing patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

Simultaneously, emerging companies like iRhythm and Whoop are entering the market, offering specialized medical-grade devices that provide precise data on metrics such as continuous cardiac rhythms, detailed sleep analysis, respiratory rates, and oxygen saturation levels.

These advanced functionalities facilitate clinical-level diagnostics and personalized healthcare interventions.

The wearable landscape is rapidly diversifying, blending consumer-grade convenience with medical-grade accuracy. This evolution is driven by increasing healthcare demands, exemplified by pandemic-induced telehealth needs, marking a significant shift towards precision medicine, improved patient management, and expansive global health research.

Data Privacy and Limitations

Wearable health devices, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, offer significant benefits by monitoring health data in real-time. However, their widespread use raises critical concerns regarding data privacy, regulatory frameworks, and device accuracy.

Personal health information (PHI) collected by these devices is inherently sensitive, necessitating privacy protections to prevent unauthorized access and misuse. Ensuring compliance with regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the United States (US) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is essential for maintaining public trust.

Despite advancements, limitations persist, notably regarding data accuracy. Misleading or inaccurate health data can adversely impact medical decisions and user safety. Interoperability issues among diverse operating systems further complicate data management and integration into healthcare systems.

To address these challenges, healthcare organizations must implement strict data security measures, including encryption, regular risk assessments, and role-based data access controls. Furthermore, fostering transparency in data usage and encouraging industry self-regulation through guidelines and voluntary codes of conduct are vital.

Future Developments

Wearable biosensors represent a transformative advancement, merging healthcare with personalized wellness. Emerging technologies are enhancing their accuracy, comfort, and versatility.

Advances in microfabrication and flexible electronics facilitate unobtrusive, continuous monitoring of physiological metrics such as glucose, hydration, and vital signs through non-invasive methods like sweat analysis and minimally invasive microneedles.

Integration with artificial intelligence (AI) significantly expands their capabilities, allowing sophisticated data interpretation and predictive analytics. Machine learning algorithms analyze vast datasets collected in real time to predict health trends, diagnose conditions early, and deliver personalized health insights.

Predictive analytics through AI-enabled biosensors empowers users and healthcare providers to proactively manage health, anticipate risks, and intervene before the onset of illness. This proactive approach is particularly valuable in chronic disease management, fitness tracking, and preventive medicine, where timely interventions can dramatically improve outcomes.

Future developments also anticipate hybrid wearable-implantable systems, combining external monitoring with internal precision to achieve comprehensive health surveillance. These integrated systems could revolutionize telemedicine and remote patient care, providing highly personalized, real-time health management.

Ultimately, advancements in wearable biosensors, AI integration, and predictive analytics promise a future of more efficient, preventive, and personalized healthcare.

The modernization of traditional remedies, a strong uptake of beauty-from-within supplements, and e-commerce as a key channel for purchasing supplements are among the key trends that the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has seen in the region.

The modernization of traditional herbal remedies, for instance, is seen in the case of Jamu – the Indonesian turmeric, ginger, and tamarind drink, which can now be purchased from modern retail channels such as cafes.

The beauty-from-within scene, on the other hand, is flourishing with local players launching products in this category. Examples include Thai supplement brand Vistra’s collagen product launch, Vietnamese company Traphaco’s hair supplements launch, and Malaysia’s Lumi Beauty NMN launch.

Jasryn Ng, principal South East Asia at BCG, pointed out the above when highlighting the five key trends seen in SEA during the opening ceremony of Sirio Pharma’s Chonburi factory in Thailand.

Trend One: Health Takes Center Stage

The interest in health and wellness is driven by a growing middle class, disposable income, and a greater awareness of preventive health post-COVID.

“Number one is that we see that health is taking centre stage. There is a growing consciousness after COVID-19 to focus on health and wellness.

“We also saw that Southeast Asian government initiatives were trying to drive a healthy lifestyle, vitamin consumption, to reduce the load on the healthcare sector…We have seen that translate into an increase and a stronger growth in the vitamins and supplements market post-COVID, she said.

The SEA supplement sector has a market size of US$6bn, with Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam comprising 70% of the total market.

At the same time, as market share is highly fragmented – with the top 10players holding less than half of the total sales in most SEA markets -there is room for innovative players to challenge incumbents.

“If we look across every single country, we see still that the top 10 firms in any one country pretty much hold less than 50% of the sales in most markets.

“That means there is significant room for growth. There is room for innovative players to come in and challenge incumbents and really create disruption in the market. We see competition from both local and international players trying very hard to grow new products and new formats,” she said.

Trend Two: Integration and Modernization of Traditional Remedies

“Herbs are going mainstream with increasing integration into healthcare. People are taking up local flavors, and traditional remedies are becoming increasingly modernized,” Ng said of the second trend.

This is especially the case in Indonesia and Thailand, where both health ministries have been educating the public more about traditional herbal remedies.

In Thailand, the health ministry said in February that it was championing the use of traditional herbal medicines to reduce reliance on imported pharmaceuticals. Examples include advocating the use of turmeric for flatulence and moringa oleifera extract for coughs and phlegm.

In 2023, the government also identified a list of three ‘herbal champions’, including Andrographis, turmeric, and Thai black ginger, which it will focus on for exports into the neighbouring Southeast Asian markets.

In Indonesia, there are also talks of safeguarding Jamu as part of the nation’s culinary heritage.

“What we see is an exciting rejuvenation of herbal remedies among the youth. For example, in Indonesia, you can enjoy Jamu drinks traditionally taken for ailments such as cold, flu, and sore throat, in modern settings like cafes,” said Ng.

One such example is Acaraki, a cafe founded by Jony Yuwono, who aimed to make Jamu an international drink by introducing it as a delicious lifestyle drink.

In Malaysia, Penang-based Eng Chai Tong has also introduced milk tea and desserts containing peach gum, considered to have diuretic properties and can relieve stranguria and pain in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Trend Three: Beauty-from-Within Amplified by Social Media

The region is also seeing a demand for beauty-from-within products amplified by discussions and postings on social media.

Collagen, biotin, and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) are some beauty supplements trending on social media.

This also shows how beauty trends are moving from makeup-focused to skincare, radiance, and “glow-from-within” style of beauty, said Ng,

“We saw this growing among influencers in the beauty supplement space, with many brands tapping on key opinion leaders to drive the uptake of their products across social media platforms.”

Trend Four: Format Innovation

High-dose one-a-day gummy is an example of a format innovation seen in the SEA region.

“In Malaysia and Singapore, for example, we do see a one-a-day gummy vitamin that has become quite popular, which has also received funding from players like Unilever,” Ng said, referring to the Indonesia-based gummy brand Youvit.

According to Sirio Pharma, the gummy format is especially popular for kids’ nutrition in Indonesia and for the beauty-from-within category in Thailand.

Another innovation is the “press and shake format,” where active ingredients are attached to a bottle of water and are released into the bottle just by pressing the cap, said Ng.

Trend Five: E-Commerce and Beyond

Southeast Asia also has a vibrant e-commerce scene, with brands investing in online content and e-commerce platforms to market their products.

“We see that e-commerce is contributing one out of 10 sales in Southeast Asia, and we have seen strong growth for vitamins and supplements.

“From 2010 to 2024, we’ve seen, for example, Indonesia and Vietnam outpacing the growth of the Southeast Asia average,” said Ng.

One of the brands active in Indonesia’s online market, Cool Vita, is an example that has built mass recognition using TikTok, livestreaming, and product placement in mini-drama series.

This approach is also similar to trends seen in China.

“This is very much strategies that you will see in Chinese e-commerce playbooks, with the brand managing to seize the early stage boom of Southeast Asian commerce and launch hero SKUs by creating bespoke mini-drama series to coincide with Ramadan, which is the holiday period in Indonesia; partnering with creators to produce branded shorts; and then running professional livestream commerce to grow traffic and create excitement around the brand.

“This viral strategy has been extremely effective in this market [Indonesia] too,” she said.

Ergothioneine – an amino acid found in mushrooms, beans and oat bran – has long intrigued researchers for its antioxidant and cytoprotective properties. Humans cannot synthesize it, but we actively transport and store it through a dedicated mechanism, suggesting evolutionary importance, and lower circulating levels have been linked with cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disease.

Now, evidence from one of the first placebo-controlled trials assessing cognitive performance in healthy adults has brought ergothioneine into sharper focus. Conducted by Zajac et al, the study examined whether daily supplementation with pure ergothioneine could influence cognitive outcomes in healthy older adults (55–79 years) with subjective memory complaints. While modest in scale, the findings mark a shift from correlation to intervention – from observing associations in plasma levels to testing measurable effects on brain function.

From mechanism to measurable effect

The Zajac study enrolled healthy volunteers who received either ergothioneine or placebo over a defined period, with cognitive testing conducted at baseline and post-intervention. The authors reported a within-group improvement in composite memory at 4 weeks in the 25 mg arm that was not sustained at 16 weeks, reaction time improvements in both groups dependent on time and dose-dependent gains in subjective prospective memory and sleep initiation – with a significant placebo–25 mg difference for prospective memory. “Ergothioneine supplementation was safe and well tolerated, with evidence suggesting some benefits in this cohort of healthy older adults,” the authors wrote, adding that the effect size supports further exploration in larger and longer studies.

Ergothioneine’s neuroprotective potential has been attributed to its ability to accumulate in tissues with high oxidative demand – notably the brain, liver and lens of the eye. It quenches reactive oxygen species and regulates mitochondrial redox balance, while influencing endothelial function and inflammatory signaling. These pleiotropic actions suggest that it may preserve neuronal integrity over time rather than produce short-term performance gains.

The bigger picture

In a review published earlier this year, May-Zhang et al compiled more than a decade of evidence linking higher ergothioneine levels with better cognitive trajectories and reduced risk of neurodegenerative disorders [2]. The authors concluded that: “Together, current evidence positions ergothioneine as a promising nutritional intervention for promoting cognitive resilience and systemic health in ageing, although larger, long-term interventional trials are needed to confirm causality and optimize use.” Yet they cautioned that heterogeneity in study design, population and dosing makes direct comparison difficult – a familiar challenge in the field of nutritional geroscience.

The review also highlighted ergothioneine’s role as a dietary biomarker of healthy aging. Populations with higher intake of ergothioneine-rich foods, particularly mushrooms, tend to exhibit slower cognitive decline and greater metabolic resilience; this relationship persists even after controlling for diet quality and lifestyle. Such findings strengthen the argument that ergothioneine is not merely a bystander marker of healthy living but may actively contribute to it.

A molecule with momentum

Interest in ergothioneine has expanded beyond academia to encompass supplement developers and longevity clinics aiming to integrate it into precision nutrition protocols. Its favorable safety profile, stability and natural origin make it an attractive addition to formulations targeting oxidative stress, mitochondrial function and cognitive maintenance. The molecule’s dedicated transporter, OCTN1, also introduces a personalized element – genetic differences in transporter efficiency may explain why some individuals derive greater benefit from supplementation than others.

What remains to be clarified is dose optimization and duration; most studies, including Zajac’s, employ short-term interventions. Longitudinal work will be needed to establish whether sustained ergothioneine intake translates into meaningful protection against age-related cognitive decline – a slow-moving process that demands equally patient science.

The horizon broadens

As longevity science continues its shift from treatment to prevention, ergothioneine exemplifies the kind of molecule that bridges nutrition, neuroscience and cellular health. It is gentle in mechanism yet potentially profound in consequence, addressing oxidative and inflammatory processes that lie at the heart of biological aging. If forthcoming trials confirm its promise, ergothioneine may evolve from niche curiosity to a staple of evidence-based preventive care – a reminder that the future of brain health might grow quietly in the soil, waiting to be noticed.

Anxiety disorders are among the most debilitating mental health conditions and a significant factor in the global disease burden. Medication is the most common treatment for reducing anxiety. However, this can sometimes cause side effects such as fatigue, confusion, and even addiction.

Aromatherapy is an ancient practice of using plant essential oils to promote physical and emotional well-being. Essential oils can be used in several ways, including diffusion, which disperses their scent into the air; inhalation directly or through steam; topical application diluted on the skin; or adding them to a warm bath for relaxation.

While aromatherapy is not a cure and shouldn’t be used instead of medication, essential oils may help reduce anxiety (especially short-term) alongside other anxiety management techniques. Many people and studies agree that the smell and topical application of essential oils can boost the mood and promote relaxation.

Why is Aromatherapy for Anxiety Controversial?

Some research suggests essential oils help anxiety, while others disagree. This might be because the makeup of essential oils can vary a lot depending on the plant type, where it’s grown, how it’s extracted, and how much is used in each study. Different ways of using the oils can also change their effect.

Because of these variations (which we delve into later on), even the same type of oil might provide different results. This is why further research is needed to better understand how effective essential oils are for anxiety and what dosages are optimal for individuals. The current findings should be explored with optimistic caution.

The information you find here is drawn from a pool of scientific studies, including two recent meta-analyses, which combine and analyze data from multiple studies to draw a more reliable conclusion. This article focuses on the promising findings of essential oils to manage anxiety, promote relaxation, and enhance emotional well-being.

What are the Benefits of Essential Oils?

Aromatherapy has been used for thousands of years, with roots in ancient Indian, Chinese, and Egyptian traditions. Even Hippocrates, commonly known as the father of medicine, regarded it as key to good health. The practice of aromatherapy uses essential oils to support emotional and physical well-being through their therapeutic benefits.

Essential oils are fragrant liquids extracted from plants, including their flowers, fruits, leaves, stems, bark, seeds, and roots. The oil is taken from the plant using distillation or cold pressing methods. Distillation uses steam or heat to extract essential oils from plants, while cold pressing mechanically squeezes the oils out of the plant without heat.

The extraction techniques capture the natural chemicals that cause the oil’s unique scent and therapeutic properties, often requiring several pounds of plant material to produce just one bottle. In an interview with Dr. Melissa Young, from the Center for Functional Medicine, she stated that aromatherapy makes people feel happier and calmer.

Dr. Young explained that enhanced mood and relaxation occur because when essential oils are inhaled, tiny molecules are detected by receptors in the nose. These receptors send signals to the brain through the olfactory nerve (the nerve that facilitates smell), triggering activity in the area that regulates emotions.

Aromatherapy is thought to ease anxiety and may also result in:

• Improving blood circulation
• Regulating blood pressure
• Stabilizing pulse and breathing
• Balancing hormones
• Peaceful sleep
• Reduced fatigue
• Reduced depression
• Reduced pain
• Reduced pre-surgery anxiety
• Lower blood pressure and heart rate typically caused by stress

Popular Essential Oils for Anxiety Relief
There are over 90 types of essential oils, each with a unique scent and chemical makeup. The best essential oil for an individual depends on the symptoms they want to relieve or the fragrances they enjoy. Some of the most researched essential oils that have been found to soothe anxiety are:

Lavender
Lavender is one of the most widely studied and promising essential oils for treating anxiety symptoms. One review of 71 studies looking at the effects of lavender oil on anxiety found that inhaling lavender significantly reduced stress. The review also showed that massages with lavender oil helped lower anxiety levels.

Bergamot Orange
Bergamot orange essential oil is derived from the citrus bergamia tree. A 2020 study found that using bergamot orange oil before surgery could be an effective complementary treatment for easing anxiety before a procedure.

Chamomile
A 2-week clinical trial by the National Cancer Institute found that massages with diluted roman chamomile oil helped reduce anxiety in cancer patients more effectively than massage alone. Additionally, a 2017 study showed that chamomile supplements helped mitigate symptoms of mild to moderate generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Ylang-Ylang
Ylang-ylang has a sweet, floral scent known for its calming effects and potential to lower blood pressure. Overall, research on its use for anxiety is limited. But, a 2006 study showed inhaling a blend of ylang-ylang, lavender, and bergamot helped reduce stress, anxiety, blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels.

Neroli (Bitter Orange)
Neroli essential oil, derived from the bitter orange tree (citrus aurantium), was found to reduce anxiety and pain perception during labor, according to a 2022 study. Another study showed that bitter orange essential oil could reduce physical signs of anxiety, like blood pressure and heart rate.

Jasmine
A study involving 44 clinical trials found that essential oils effectively reduce anxiety symptoms. Specifically, jasmine oil showed the most substantial results. It helped lower both temporary anxiety and chronic anxiety scores. Additionally, jasmine oil reduces physical signs of stress, like high blood pressure and heart rate.

Damask Rose
A 2023 review of multiple studies found that damask rose essential oil was the third most effective oil for reducing anxiety, after jasmine and bitter orange, particularly for short-term anxiety. However, it didn’t affect long-term anxiety. Damask rose contains isoflavones, which manage anxiety by interacting with specific brain receptors.

Methods of Applying Essential Oils
A 2020 review suggests that blending oils can help alleviate symptoms of various conditions. Since each oil affects individuals differently, combining them may produce different results than using them alone.

Whether or not you blend your oils, inhalation and topical application are the most widely used (and effective) aromatherapy methods in scientific studies. That being said, diffusion and bathing have also been found to have beneficial effects.

Diffusion
Essential oils can be used in a diffuser to help soothe anxiety by releasing calming aromas into the air. While this method can be a gentle and pleasant way to incorporate essential oils into a self-care routine, it is generally considered less effective than direct inhalation or topical application through massage, which allows the oils to interact more directly with the body.

Topical Application
Essential oils can be applied topically by massaging them into the skin or applying them to pressure points. Massage is usually more effective, allowing for deeper absorption and relaxation. It’s important to dilute essential oils with carrier oils, like coconut, grapeseed, or olive oil, to avoid skin irritation and ensure safe usage.

Inhalation
Inhaling essential oils can be achieved by adding a few drops to a bowl of hot water and then leaning over the bowl with a towel draped over the head to trap the steam. You can also inhale the oils by directly sniffing the bottle or adding a few drops to a tissue or cotton ball. The aromatic molecules go through the nose to the brain, reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation.

Bathing
Bathing in essential oils is considered a form of cosmetic aromatherapy and has various benefits, such as cleansing, moisturizing, and toning. Essential oils in facial products promote healthy skin, while full-body or foot baths offer a simple, effective way to enjoy their rejuvenating and relaxing effects.

BEIJING/HONG KONG–In the past few months, Wang Shuyun, a 78-year-old retiree in Beijing, splashed out on an 8,000 yuan ($1,115) nutrition course to help her lose weight and lower her blood sugar, and spent 1,200 yuan on Adidas shoes.

A former civil servant with a far-above-average monthly pension of 10,000 yuan and no children, she also regularly splurges on imported milk from New Zealand.

“I focus on living a good life for myself, which I consider the most important goal,” said Wang.

She is one of some 300 million retirees in China, the core of the country’s “silver economy” that is now being aggressively promoted.

Beijing flagged “a new age” for the elderly in a 2021 policy guideline, calling for “the vigorous cultivation” of a silver economy, but this year authorities have gone into overdrive. They have issued at least 20 statements on the topic, urging companies to improve food, health and senior care services, offer more financial products and focus on new business models.

Their urgency is twofold. China is greying so rapidly that the number of people aged 60 and above is set to hit 400 million by 2035 – roughly equal to the populations of the United States and Italy combined.

At the same time, overall spending growth has been weak with younger generations losing consumer confidence, beset by a raft of economic woes from trade tensions to a debt-stressed property sector, that have resulted in deflation and job insecurity.

Economists note that China’s past four decades of rapid growth have resulted in older people having a comfortable level of savings, allowing them to spend more freely than previous older generations who lived very frugally.

According to data from research firm Euromonitor International, total consumer expenditure by Chinese households headed by people aged 60 and over is likely to have climbed 129% from 2015 to 2025, outpacing the 79% rate for the overall population.

“This suggests that mature consumers are not only growing in number but also increasing their spending at a significant pace,” said Jana Rude, Euromonitor’s senior global insight manager for consumers.

While elderly households are, on average, spending less than younger generations, in aggregate, they are a major force.

The rapid pace of their spending growth is set to become more accentuated, with Euromonitor predicting total expenditure for Chinese aged 60 and over to more than triple between 2025 and 2040 compared to a 136% jump for the total population. By 2040, it estimates the 60-plus group will account for 34% of China’s total consumer expenditure from 24% currently.

SILVER TECH

Among Chinese companies setting their sights on older consumers is Lao Feng Xiang, a century-old jewelry firm that declared it had “crossed over into silver technology” when it debuted AI glasses in June.

The glasses, it said, provide an “elderly-friendly experience”, giving assistance in reading small print items like drug labels and menus, voice navigation help if they get lost and can offer “emotional dialogue” for companionship.

Tech giant Xiaomi also says it has endeavored to add elderly-friendly functions on its phones and televisions, as well as remote assistance features enabling children to easily control their aged parents’ living environments with smart lights and air conditioners.

Ping An, an insurance and health care conglomerate, says providing senior care services and products is a big growth area. Since late last year, it says it has launched hundreds of home-based senior care benefits, such as an AI system to monitor health and environmental risks, expanding a service that it introduced in 2021 and is now available in 75 cities.

Despite government and corporate efforts, however, economists note that at the end of the day, older people tend not to spend that much.

Moreover, while former civil servants like Wang get generous pensions, the average urban retiree in China draws a much smaller monthly pension of 3,000 yuan, while pensions for those in rural areas can be as low as 200 yuan.

Older generation spending “is unlikely to be strong enough to offset deflationary pressures or drive broader economic growth,” said Alicia Garcia Herrero, chief economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis.

Qiao Li, a 66-year-old retiree in Beijing, might be a case in point. One recent big purchase has been 50,000 yuan on a necklace made of wooden beads and turquoise, but in general, he prefers to use his extra cash on fresh vegetables to share with relatives.

All the work that goes into losing weight in middle age could set you up for a longer, healthier life later, according to a new study.

A sustained weight loss of about 6.5% of body weight without medications or surgery in middle-aged people is linked to substantial long-term health benefits, said lead study author Dr. Timo Strandberg, professor of geriatric medicine at the University of Helsinki in Finland.

Those benefits included a reduction of risk for both chronic diseases and death from all causes.

The study, published Tuesday in the journal JAMA Network Open, analyzed data of about 23,000 people from three different groups across different time periods: one group from 1985 to 1988, another from 1964 to 1973, and a third between 2000 and 2013.

Researchers grouped the people in the studies based on their starting body mass index (BMI) and whether they gained, lost or maintained weight and compared the patterns with hospitalizations and death records.

People who lost weight in midlife were less likely to experience heart attacks, strokes, cancer, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in their older years, according to the study.

Those who lost weight were also less likely to have died of any cause over the next 35 years, the study found.

It’s important to note that much of the data was collected before weight loss medications or surgeries were widely available, meaning that the benefits largely came from body changes driven by alterations in diet and exercise, Strandberg said.

The study is important because it provides evidence of the relationship between weight loss and both cardiovascular disease and mortality, which hasn’t been studied enough, said Dr. Aayush Visaria, a clinical researcher and incoming instructor of medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey. He was not involved in the research.

“BMI is very different across different racial ethnic groups,” Visaria said.

And BMI, which looks at weight in proportion to height, isn’t always the most accurate way to gauge body composition, he added. BMI is still used widely because it is easy to calculate, but it doesn’t differentiate based on a person’s proportion of bone or muscle, Visaria said.

“There’s so many variables that might play into how someone’s body composition changes, even though maybe their weight might not change as much,” Visaria said.

Other studies suggest that the fat distribution makes a big difference –– the fat around a person’s organs may be what really drives a lot of disease risk, he said.

A healthy lifestyle beyond losing weight

Lifestyle changes –– such as a healthy diet and more exercise –– were important factors in the risk reduction.

The study was observational, meaning that the data can show a relationship between weight loss and a reduction in chronic disease and mortality risk, but researchers can’t say for sure that the weight loss was the factor that lowered the risk, Visaria said.

Although the researchers adjusted for other factors that could influence the risk, such as age, they did not adjust for lifestyle behaviors such as diet and physical activity, he added. Those changes could be behind the lowered risk of chronic diseases just as the weight loss itself could be, Visaria said.

Both weight loss and the behavioral changes behind it are often tied together in improving health, Strandberg noted.

Weight loss relieves conditions such as osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnea and fatty liver, while changes to diet and exercise have been shown to decrease cardiovascular risks, he added.

How to make changes

Lifestyle is always important when it comes to good health, meaning that you should continue to strive for a healthy diet and good physical activity –– even if you are using weight loss medications, Visaria said.

The Mediterranean diet –– which prioritizes fruits, vegetables, grains, olive oil, and nuts and seeds –– has consistently been ranked the best diet for wellness and disease prevention.

Studies suggest this way of eating may improve bone density in older years, prevent some cancers and lower risk of heart disease.

For physical activity, the World Health Organization recommends that adults engage in at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, along with muscle-strengthening activities at least twice a week.

However, obesity is not just a problem individuals need to tackle –– it is a structural issue as well, Strandberg said.

Healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity need to be more accessible in modern societies to help curb the health impacts associated with obesity, he added.

Loaded with important micronutrients and antioxidants, kale is one of the most nutritious leafy greens available.

In fact, kale contains a variety of beneficial compounds, some of which have powerful medicinal properties.

Plus, it’s versatile. It boasts a nutty, earthy flavor that works well in a wide range of recipes.

Here are nine health benefits of kale that are supported by science.

Highly nutritious

Kale is a popular vegetable and a member of the cabbage family.

It is a cruciferous vegetable and is closely related to cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens, and Brussels sprouts.

Many different types of kale exist. The leaves can be green or purple and have either a smooth or curly shape.

The most common type of kale is called curly kale or Scots kale. It has green and curly leaves with a hard, fibrous stem.

A single cup, or 21 grams (g), of raw kale contains:

Calories: 7 or 8
Carbs: 1 g
Fiber: 1 g
Vitamin K: 68% of the daily value (DV)
Vitamin C: 22% of the DV
Manganese: 8% of the DV
Vitamin A: 6% of the DV
Riboflavin: 5% of the DV
Calcium: 4% of the DV
Each serving also contains a small amount of folate, vitamin B6, potassium, magnesium, and iron.

Adding more kale to your diet is a great way to boost your intake of these key vitamins and minerals, along with other important nutrients.

Provides powerful antioxidants

Like other leafy greens, kale is very high in antioxidants.

These include beta-carotene and vitamin C, as well as various flavonoids and polyphenols.

Antioxidants are substances that help counteract oxidative damage by neutralizing free radicals in the body.

Oxidative damage is believed to be among the leading drivers of aging and many chronic conditions, including cancer.

But many substances that happen to be antioxidants also have other important functions.

This includes the flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol, which are found in relatively large amounts in kale.

Test-tube and animal studies suggest that these compounds may help ease inflammation, support heart health, slow the growth of cancer cells, and protect against chronic disease.

Excellent source of vitamin C

Vitamin C is an important water-soluble antioxidant that serves many vital functions in the body’s cells. For example, it is necessary for the synthesis of collagen, the most abundant structural protein in the body.

And kale is higher in vitamin C than most other greens. It contains about three times as much vitamin C as spinach and collard greens.

This makes kale an excellent addition to a healthy, well-rounded diet, alongside other fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C.

May lower cholesterol levels

Cholesterol has many important functions in the body. For instance, it is used to make bile acids, which are substances that help the body digest fats.

The liver turns cholesterol into bile acids, which are then released into the digestive system whenever you eat a high fat meal. When all the fat has been absorbed and the bile acids have served their purpose, they are reabsorbed into the bloodstream and used again.

Certain substances in kale can bind bile acids in the digestive system and prevent them from being reabsorbed. This reduces the total amount of cholesterol in the body.

One 2016 study in 149 people with metabolic syndrome found that consuming 14 g of kale powder every day for 8 weeks significantly reduced levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, along with blood pressure, belly fat, and fasting blood sugar levels.

Excellent source of vitamin K

Vitamin K is an important nutrient. It is absolutely critical for blood clotting, and it does this by “activating” certain proteins and giving them the ability to bind calcium.

The well-known anticoagulant drug Warfarin actually works by blocking the function of this vitamin.

Kale is an excellent source of vitamin K, with a single raw cup containing almost 70% of the recommended daily amount.

The form of vitamin K in kale is K1, which is different than vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 is found in fermented soy foods and certain animal products and may help prevent heart disease and osteoporosis.

Contains anticancer compounds

Cancer is a condition characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells.

Kale is actually loaded with compounds that are believed to have protective effects against cancer.

One of these is sulforaphane, a substance that has been shown to help block the formation of cancer at the molecular level.

It also contains a indole-3-carbinol, another substance that is believed to help prevent cancer.

High in beta-carotene

Kale is often claimed to be high in vitamin A, but this is not entirely accurate.

It is actually high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that the body can convert into vitamin A.

Adding kale to your diet, alongside a variety of other foods rich in vitamin A, can help you meet your needs for this essential vitamin.

Could support eye health

Though your vision tends to worsen as you get older, there are certain nutrients that may help support healthy vision over time.

Two of the main ones are lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoid antioxidants that are found in large amounts in kale and some other foods.

May promote weight loss

Kale has several properties that can support weight management.

For starters, it is very low in calories but still provides significant bulk that should help you feel full.

Because of the low calorie and high water content, kale has a low energy density. Eating plenty of foods with a low energy density has been shown to aid in weight loss.

Kale also contains a small amount of fiber, which is an important nutrient that has been linked to weight loss.

Although there are no studies directly testing the effects of kale on weight loss, it makes sense that it could be a useful addition to an eating pattern aimed at weight loss.

The bottom line

Adding kale to your diet is relatively simple. You can simply use it for your salads or add it into recipes.

A popular snack is kale chips, where you drizzle some extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil on your kale, sprinkle it with salt, and then bake in it an oven until it’s dry. It tastes delicious and makes a great crunchy, super healthy snack.

A lot of people also add kale to their smoothies in order to boost the nutritional value.

At the end of the day, kale can definitely be a healthy and nutritious addition to a balanced diet and can be enjoyed in a variety of recipes.

Researchers at the Food is Medicine (FIM) Institute at Tufts University, point to the possibilities of introducing medically tailored meals and discounts or free produce such as fruits and vegetables for patients with chronic diet-related disease.

“This [the two interventions] is a rare outcome in medical care as few, if any, other interventions in healthcare are both cost effective and cost saving,” said the report’s senior author, Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and director of the Food is Medicine Institute.

“Despite these proven and estimated benefits to patients, healthcare systems, and the economy, FIM interventions are not universally available to health care providers as a prescribable intervention, nor to patients as a covered intervention. As a result, FIM is largely unavailable to individuals who might benefit.”

Quantifying the potential health and economic benefits of FIM efforts

The True Cost of Food: Food is Medicine Case Study details the urgent need for alternative approaches as remedies in reducing around 1.6 million hospitalisations and saving $13.6bn in health care costs in the first year alone.

Presented as two case studies, the report initially focuses on Medically Tailored Meals as the most intensive intervention for a smaller number of patients with more severe, complex medical conditions.

Here, the approach centres on preparing 10-21 weekly meals personalised by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) in combination with nutrition and culinary education.

The hope is that the meals will help promote improved food security and disease management, lower hospital emergency room, and nursing home admissions, and lower net health care costs of patients with diabetes, heart failure, cancer, kidney failure, and HIV.

The other intervention is produce prescriptions, in which foods such as fruits and vegetables (and sometimes also nuts, seeds, beans, whole grains, dairy, and eggs) are made more freely available to patients with at least one diet-sensitive health risk or chronic condition.

This could be achieved by electronic benefit cards or paper vouchers redeemable at grocery stores or farmers markets; picked up in the healthcare setting or by home delivery; in combination with nutrition and culinary education.

Ensuring access to nutritious food for those with the greatest need

“This case study suggests that implementing produce prescriptions nationally for patients with diabetes and food insecurity could improve health, reduce healthcare costs, and be highly cost effective in the United States,” the report said.

“Findings support the testing, scaling, and evaluation of produce prescription programs for patients with diabetes and food insecurity for both public and private payers; with a focus on ensuring access to those with greatest need.”

Chronic conditions are a particular area of concern due to the long-term economic costs to society, where suboptimal diets contribute to health care spending and lost productivity estimated at $1.1tn each year — equalling the economic output of the entire food sector.

Devon Klatell, vice president of The Rockefeller Foundation’s food initiative, which provided support in the report’s creation said: “The true costs of our food system—the environmental impact of how food is produced, the working conditions of the people who grow our food, and the impacts on our health, health care spending, and health equity are too often left off the price tag.

“This report can assist governments, companies and consumers in better evaluating the value of Food is Medicine interventions by considering not just the price paid for food, but the return on investment in improved health outcomes they can deliver.

“We look forward to working with all sectors to further advance our collective knowledge and understanding of the potential of Food is Medicine interventions.”

Science should be a basis for food-based interventions

Commenting on the report’s findings, Dr Steven Novella, an academic clinical neurologist at the Yale University School of Medicine added: “there are many potential interventions that have a huge impact on health that are not traditional medical interventions, such as poison control, public safety, and sanitation.

“We should add to this list things like optimal nutrition, gun safety, and addressing health misinformation. And as always, such interventions need to be as evidence and science-based as possible.”

Low-glycemic foods, such as sweet potatoes, rolled oats, chickpeas, and milk, are slower to raise a person’s blood sugar levels than foods with moderate or high scores on the glycemic index (GI).

A low-glycemic diet may offer health benefits, such as helping with blood sugar management and helping to reduce blood pressure.

This article lists some of the best low-GI foods and gives dietary tips for people following a low-GI diet.

How the GI scale works

The glycemic index (GI) is a scale from 1 to 100. Each food gets a score, and the lower the score, the longer that food takes to raise a person’s blood sugar levels.

The GI indicates how quickly carbohydrate-containing foods increase blood sugar levels compared with pure glucose. For example, white bread has a GI of 100.

GI scores fall into the following three categories:

Low-GI foods: These score under 55.

Medium-GI foods: These score between 55 and 70.

High-GI foods: These score above 70.

Below are some examples of foods with low, medium, or high GI scores according to a database by the University of Sydney in Australia:

Foreigners have been more aware that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has scientific basis and the global growing interest in turning to TCM to solve wellness problems is helping shed its “mystical” label and earn it trust as an effective medical practice. The latest striking example of this shift happened when US influencer IShowSpeed streamed his recent experience with acupuncture and bone setting in Chengdu, Southwest China’s Sichuan Province.

The YouTube sensation, who boasts over 37 million followers on the platform, streamed his trip to Chengdu on Monday, following three other trips across China. During the livestream, IShowSpeed visited a local traditional Chinese medicine store, where he explored various practices such as pulse diagnosis, bone setting, and acupuncture. Initially apprehensive about the pain from the acupuncture needles, the influencer expressed his fear at first. However, after some persuasion, he decided to experience the treatment and was so pleasantly surprised to find that his headache had disappeared.

The livestream video has been viewed more than 7.6 million times as of Tuesday and has gone viral on social media platforms within China and abroad.

For these viewers, this live broadcast served as an entry point into the world of TCM, highlighting its practical effectiveness.

For many foreigners, TCM is initially perceived as an exotic and mysterious practice rooted in cultural tradition rather than science.

However, direct experiences with TCM are increasingly challenging this perception. In Han Shiming’s moxibustion store in Hunchun, Northeast China’s Jilin Province, there have often been Russians crossing the border specifically to do moxibustion in recent years.

“We receive thousands of Russian visitors each year, with the farthest travelers coming from cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg. They came specifically to improve their health, with most seeking treatment for issues such as cervical spondylosis and shoulder periarthritis,” Han told the Global Times, adding that many of these foreigners were recommended by their friends or relatives and have been gradually growing familiar with the traditional treatment approach and philosophy of TCM during their experiences.

These overseas guests have expressed satisfaction with the effectiveness of the treatments, Han noted, a sentiment illustrated by the banners in Russian that adorn the store’s walls. The messages from patients on these banners include complimentary phrases such as “Exquisite Medical Skills” and “Miraculous Traditional Chinese Medicine.”

Sun Zhijia, professor of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine in South China’s Guangdong Province, also uses his TCM skills to relieve the troubles of some foreign patients.

“Recently, there was even a German patient, who had severe cold symptoms. He came for a consultation and wanted to try TCM. After taking the herbs, his fever subsided the very next day, and his symptoms began to improve,” Sun told the Global Times.

Another patient from Belgium who had been suffering from a chronic cough for a long time, with poor results from treatment in his home country, was introduced to Sun.

“After some online consultations and a detailed medical history review, we determined that the cough was actually caused by a digestive system disorder. In TCM, we say that ‘all the internal organs can cause coughing, not just the lungs.’ So we prescribed a herbal remedy that targeted the digestive system, and it turned out to be quite effective,” Sun said.

These personal stories, alongside high-profile events such as IShowSpeed’s livestream, are pivotal in breaking down the “mystical” stereotype of TCM, reframing it as a credible healthcare option grounded in tangible results.

The personal experiences and grassroots initiatives are also increasingly driving the modern wave of TCM’s global popularity. For instance, moxibustion halls in Northeast China such as Han’s have gained a loyal international following based on word-of-mouth recommendations about their effectiveness. Similarly, Beijing Massage Hospital has leveraged “Diplomatic Experience Days” to introduce foreign diplomats to TCM, breaking cultural barriers through hands-on interaction. IShowSpeed’s livestream, which reached millions of viewers worldwide, represents another example of how grassroots advocacy and digital platforms are propelling TCM into the global spotlight.

At the same time, to fully realize its potential, TCM must address the challenges of its international communication. In order to effectively communicate the richness of TCM culture to an overseas audience, a variety of methods – both online and offline – are being employed.

For example, in the Chinese animation blockbuster Ne Zha 2 that has been released in dozens of countries around the world such as the US, Australia and over 30 European countries, there’s a memorable scene in which General Li Jing of Chentang Pass hands Shen Gongbao a list of medicinal herbs to buy.

In terms of promoting TCM, Sun Haishu, associate professor with the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences in Beijing, said that the film has had positive significance.

“The influence of the IP has helped awaken public cultural recognition of TCM. TCM is not outdated. In ancient times, its effectiveness was evident everywhere and is well-documented in historical texts. Even in modern-day efforts to treat disease, TCM still has a role to play. Hopefully, it can be further developed and fully utilized,” Sun told the Global Times.