Over the last decade, technological innovations have continued changing the face of the healthcare industry in different ways. This year, all eyes will be on 3D printing, blockchain, machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and natural language processing.
Experts can argue that technology will not be deciding the top 2020 trends in the healthcare industry since the primary determinant will be the change in consumer behaviors.
Here are 2020’s top trends in the healthcare industry
- Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence
In 2020, Ai and digital wellness are among the hottest trends in the healthcare industry. These technologies will facilitate the growth of personalized medicine, leading to more trends in personal diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of different health conditions.
For instance, you can be directed to the best therapist for you by answering a set of questions on a website or given treatments based on the answers given.
Virtual reality and AI are also becoming popular in the fitness market, offering personalized workouts and recovery routines based on different indicators.
Additionally, tracking different health parameters is easy using smartwatches, smartphones, and computers, allowing users to conveniently access information on the best exercise or health provider that can tailor the treatment to your specific needs.
- Plant-based Alternatives
Over the past years, plant-based diets have continued growing in demand all over the world. Concern for animal rights, sustainability, and personal health are some of the reasons making more people try to eliminate meat on their diets.
Today, almost 70% of Americans are shifting to plant-based proteins. As such, Whole Foods predict that 2020 will see an increase in demand for plant-based alternatives like plant and meat blends, an increase of algae mixed with foods, and more demand for seeds like hemp, pumpkin, chia, and mung.
- Less Alcohol
As more people concentrate on staying sober, 2020 will see more mocktails and less alcohol in the restaurant and health scenes. In fact, a significant number of bars are embracing the sober movement, offering lots of alcohol-free options.
That’s mainly due to the millennial effect, as that’s the demographic leading this sober curious movement. However, mocktails can add extra calories and sugar in your body, despite cutting down on alcohol.
- New Sugar Alternatives
Despite the knowledge that too much sugar increases the risk of heart disease, weight gain, and type 2 diabetes, most Americans are still taking in too much sugar today. Most people don’t want to increase their intake of artificial sweeteners found in sugar-free foods like diet soda.
In 2020, many people will embrace the ongoing trend of enjoying sweets without all the adverse side effects of table sugar. That’s all thanks to natural sweeteners from fruits like pomegranate, monk fruits, dates, and possibly sweet potatoes.
- Sustainability
For many people around the globe, making sustainable food choices will continue to be of great importance in 2020. Movements like sustainable farming practices, and zero waste packaging will continue being among the top priorities this year.
As such, Whole Foods predict that farming techniques like crop rotations, composting, and avoiding overfishing will continue advancing.
