What is good for the Earth is also suitable for us
It’s no secret that global culture is making a much-needed shift toward sustainability. Our Earth needs this, and so many trends are pushing us in this direction.
However, you might be wondering if these trends also favour better health – in other words, what are the benefits of these trends beyond being more eco-friendly?
Let’s examine some sustainable health trends gaining traction in the last year and weigh in on how they can benefit your health, too, or if there is more to be desired.
PLANT-BASED DIETS
The push for plant-based eating has steadily increased over the last decade. Initially focused on animal welfare, it later highlighted potential health benefits and, more recently, the lowered carbon footprint of such diets.
The rise in popularity of plant-based meat, egg, and dairy replacements has taken markets by storm. But is plant-based eating an answer to better health for North Americans?
The human body is unique, and the nourishment necessary for thriving health varies from person to person. While some individuals may experience health benefits from a plant-based diet, others might find it detrimental to their well-being.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but it’s worth noting that many plant-based products on the market are highly processed. It’s best to stick to wholefoods, whether plant-based or otherwise.
NATURAL BEAUTY AND CLEANERS
Many people are becoming aware of the harmful effects of exposure to toxins in personal care and household cleaning products. This is a great trend, as these products can significantly impact the endocrine system and cause hormonal imbalances that wreak havoc on our health. Natural products also help lower the toxic load sent into our ecosystems, making it a win-win situation.
ACTIVE COMMUTING
We’ve seen a steady push to de-incentivize vehicle use to reduce carbon emissions. The trend of taking public transit, walking, biking, or even swimming (hello, Switzerland!) to work has been taking off.
This is a fantastic shift in increasing our daily physical activity, especially given the rates of sedentary lifestyles within our culture. Get out and get moving for yourself and for the planet!
Reusable water bottles
The virality of the Stanley Cup has made waves in the already rising popularity of reusable water bottles. One reusable bottle saves 156 plastic bottles from entering landfills each year. This is great because people tend to drink more water when they are carrying a bottle with them. Hydration is a cornerstone for good health in all of the body systems, and skipping out on plastic bottles also has the added bonus of lower BPA exposure. Just make sure you are choosing a BPA-free bottle.
GROW YOUR OWN OR SHOP LOCALLY
Since 2020, we’ve seen a rise in people experimenting with growing their produce in gardens, plant boxes, or even hanging baskets. This is also coupled with an increased draw toward shopping locally from farmers’ markets. This is fabulous as the carbon footprint here is reduced because of the decreased need for fuel to transport goods. Homegrown and small-scale farm-grown produce also tends to be more nutrient-dense and lower in pesticides, which lightens the toxic load on the body.
