Revealed: The most popular health trends for 2023
From vitamins and supplements to Reformer Pilates, Bupa’s health experts share the biggest health and fitness trends to look out for in 2023.
Looking at recent searching habits, we predict the most popular health and wellbeing trends for 2023. Our experts discuss these trends.
Lucy Wizgell is the Health Adviser Senior Manager of Bupa Health Clinics.
Dr Luke Powles is the Associate Clinical Director at Bupa Health Clinics.
Bupa’s Wellbeing Index found that many Brits feel positive about their health. But they also acknowledge there’s still lots of room for improvement to help them live longer, healthier, happier lives:
class their general wellbeing as good
consider weight as their top health concern
think their fitness is poor
Foods that lower cholesterol
‘Diet to lower cholesterol and lose weight’
7x increase in searches in the last 12 months
Cholesterol is a type of fat made by your body and found in some foods. Around 60% of Brits are estimated to have high cholesterol .1 So it’s encouraging to see more of us taking an interest in keeping it low.
We all need some fats in our diet, but high levels can make it harder for your arteries to function. This can increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, such as a stroke or heart disease.
‘Vegetables that lower cholesterol’
4x increase in searches in the last 12 months
Eating a fresh and balanced diet low in saturated and trans fats is the best way to help keep your cholesterol levels healthy.
You can achieve this by cooking from scratch, including high-fibre, wholegrains, fruit, vegetables, oats, and pulses. Opting for low-fat alternatives can help reduce bad cholesterol levels, too.
A blood test can tell you whether you have high cholesterol. If your cholesterol is high, a health professional can help to recommend any adjustments that can help lower it naturally. Or in some cases they may prescribe medication, such as statins.
New year diet
Like any diets that gain sudden popularity, it’s important to speak to a health professional before changing your eating habits. Making smaller changes to your eating habits is the safest and most effective way to stay healthy.
‘Intermittent fasting for women’
6x increase in searches in the last 12 months
There hasn’t been enough research to show whether intermittent fasting is safe to do over a long period of time. And it’s not known as an easy diet to stick to, especially if you do alternate day fasting.
However, most research suggests intermittent fasting can be an effective short-term way for both men and women to lose weight. This is if they don’t have any underlying health conditions.
‘Estrogen rich foods’*
5x increase in searches in the last 12 months
Those going through the menopause may have heard that oestrogen-rich foods can help with menopause symptoms. These foods are also known as phyto-oestrogens. Early summer 2022 saw UK Google searches for ‘estrogen-rich foods’* peak to 8,100 a month.
Oestrogen-rich foods include chickpeas, lentils, linseeds, soya, lentils, fruits and vegetables. But there’s not enough evidence to prove whether they work to reduce menopause symptoms.
*The ‘o’ is missing here because this is the American way of spelling this term, which people in the UK are searching more.
Ear cleaning
‘Earwax removal near me’ 11x increase in searches in the last 12 months
Earwax cleaning grew in popularity throughout 2022, with searches for ‘earwax removal near me’ peaking to 5,400 in summer.
If you’re tempted to try the trend in 2023, make sure you choose a safe service that uses ear microsuction as the method to remove wax. Don’t try DIY methods such as using a cotton bud or flushing it with a water-filled syringe.
Having impacted earwax removed can be helpful for those who suffer with ear discomfort, like muffled hearing, tinnitus, earache or itching. It’s always advisable to speak to a healthcare professional before booking an earwax removal appointment. This can be with a GP, practice nurse or pharmacist who can find out whether impacted earwax is the cause.
Sexual health
‘STI private clinic’
10x increase in searches in the last 12 months
Our research shows that many more of us were Googling symptoms commonly associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) between 2021 and 2022. Promisingly, this looks to have led to an increased interest in research around the range of sexual health services available to them.
‘STD and STI testing’
4x increase in searches in the last 12 months
Anyone who’s sexually active whether you’re in a committed relationship or not should have a sexual health check once a year. Most STIs (some people call them sexually transmitted diseases or STDs) are easily treated with a simple course of medication. A simple test is the best way to prevent health issues or passing on any infections to others.
July 2022 was when searches for both STI screening terms surged in popularity, with each peaking to 720 searches.
Vitamins and supplements
For many of us, the last few years highlighted the importance of looking after our immune systems. So it’s not surprising that we’ve seen increased recent search trends around vitamins and supplements.
‘Vitamins and supplements’
4x increase in searches in the last 12 months
The good news is that most of us can get all the vitamins and minerals that we need by eating a healthy and balanced diet.
However, if you’re looking to start taking supplements, make sure you read the product label. And do check with a pharmacist if there’s anything that you’re not sure of.
‘Vitamin B complex tablets’
3x increase in searches in the last 12 months
Vitamin B complex tablets include all eight varieties of the essential B vitamins, which help to keep us in good health and release energy from the food we eat. The amount of vitamin B you need depends on your gender and overall health. Speak to a health professional before taking them so you’re getting the amount that’s right for you.
Key vitamins:2
- All adults in the UK are recommended to take 10micrograms (μg) of vitamin D every day during autumn and winter.
- Females trying to get pregnant, could be pregnant or are currently pregnant should take 400μg of folic acid a day, in line with their doctor’s guidance.
- Those who follow a vegan diet should take 10μg of vitamin B12 each day, and up to 150μg of iodine.
Healthy air fryer recipes
‘Healthy air fryer recipes’
4x increase in searches in the last 12 months
Air frying is a method of cooking food that makes it taste like it’s been deep fried, but without using cooking oil. And it has soared in popularity in recent months. As 2022 progressed, many of us investigated air fryers as a cost-effective way to cook nutritious meals. Search volumes for ‘air fryer healthy recipes’ peaked to 5,400 searches in September.
Though air fryers are a fairly new way of preparing food, early evidence shows that compared to deep fat frying, using one can:
- help reduce a food’s fat
- preserve its nutrients
- lower your overall calorie intake
Workout ideas
Lots of us turn to Google to seek inspiration for our next go-to workout, and 2023 looks to be no exception.
‘Metabolic workout’
3x increase in searches in the last 12 months
Metabolic workouts focus on increasing the number of calories you burn both during your workout and afterwards. It’s also called metabolic conditioning.
Completed over a short period, these exercises work a range of muscles from a moderate to high intensity. Searches for metabolic workouts grew in popularity throughout 2022, peaking at 1,000 searches throughout May.
‘Hip thrust workout’
3x increase in searches in the last 12 months
With an average of over 500 searches per month, hip thrust exercises look set to be a popular workout trend for 2023.
The primary focus of a hip thrust workout is to strengthen your glute muscles. This can help improve posture, mobility, pelvic floor muscles and reduce pain. It also means you’re less likely to overexert your hamstring and back muscles in everyday life.
Hip thrust exercises can be especially useful for those going through the menopause, as they help to improve bone density.
‘Reformer Pilates near me’
3x increase in searches in the last 12 months
Lastly, Reformer Pilates soared in searches over late 2022. Driven by celebrities, this workout uses specialised apparatus to make the exercises more targeted to increase strength and flexibility.
In June 2022, searches for ‘Reformer Pilates near me’ rose to 14,800.
Whether you’re getting started or already a workout pro, follow these simple principles to stay safe and keep your workout pain free.
- No matter how fit you are, always make the time to do a gentle warm up and cool down. It’s the best way to prevent muscle injuries.
- Build up the amount of exercise you do slowly to avoid overdoing it.
- Always use the correct clothing and equipment for your workout.
- If you’re in pain, speak to a health professional.
Anyone can book our health assessments
Choose the health and wellbeing plan that best suits your lifestyle and ambitions. You don t even need Bupa health insurance.
Be.Motivated health assessment
Make lasting changes to benefit your
future self. Includes a lifestyle review,
clinical tests and our Bupa Be.Me
behaviour change app
Be.Reassured health assessment
Something on your mind? This plan includes personalised tests and time with a doctor. Coaching calls with our experts help to keep you on track.
Be.Ahead health assessment
Into fitness? Kick it up a notch: our most comprehensive plan includes an advanced fitness test, our behaviour change app, and coaching calls.
Book a health assessment today
Call us
0370 218 5188
Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 5pm. We are closed on Sundays. We may record or monitor our calls.
