A surge in gut health diets and a reduction in alcohol are among key themes in a new survey by Tesco on shoppers’ habits going into the new year.
It claims consumers have a new focus on preventative health measures, with the survey of more than 3,000 UK adults showing a surge in interest for changes to diets and lifestyles, and a more sustainable approach to health and wellbeing.
The key health and wellness trends for 2025 include a focus on gut health, shifts in alcohol consumption, the growth of plant-forward diets and the prioritisation of protein.
Meanwhile, 29% say they won’t be drinking at all in 2025 and 10% say they plan to steer clear of alcohol for the whole of January.
More than half (56%) of UK adults who will be alcohol-free in January say it’s because they want to improve their overall health, and 18% say they want to improve their lifestyle.
After heart health (47%), gut health (37%) topped the list of health areas that Brits are most concerned about.
Tesco said many people were taking proactive measures to help maintain a healthy gut, including incorporating more fibre (70%), probiotics and live cultures (27%) into their diet.
The survey also showed continued strong demand for plant-based diets, with more than one in five (22%) of Brits saying they plan to consume more plant-based foods as part of their diet in 2025.
“Today people are feeling more empowered to decide what works for their own health, with wider access to knowledge and experts, allowing them to undertake their own research and look beyond traditional approaches,” said Tesco nutritionist Natasha Maynard.
“There is no longer a ‘one size fits all’ approach to improving health and we’re seeing a new era of health that is more targeted and tailored to the individual.
“The new year is a time where many of us become a little more conscious of our health as we set our resolutions and focus on the year ahead. We get it – it can be a great time to turn over a new chapter. But rather than adopting new fads which may not last past the month of January, we believe in encouraging small changes which can have a big impact and help people to stick with much healthier and more sustainable diets long term. Considering things like increasing fruit, vegetables and fibre in diets is great for our health, whilst being conscious of salt, saturated fats and sugar intake is key overall.”
Elaine Hindal, CEO at the British Nutrition Foundation, said: “Seeing people become increasingly more concerned with gut health and the adoption of a plant-forward diet is an encouraging sign that healthy and sustainable diets are high on the agenda. Awareness is an important first step, but we also need to make it easier for people to access the balance of foods that promote health and wellbeing and prevent diet-related ill health.”
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