\n1. A decline in protein obsession<\/p>\n
A New Year is the perfect time to take note of our health goals: quit habits that are weighing you down, and begin routines that support metabolic and gut health. After all, health is wealth, and the earlier we start this journey, the better it is. In a similar vein, celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar \u2014 known for tailoring diets of Bollywood stars like Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan, Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt \u2014 recently took to social media to share her top 3 health trend predictions for this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cCredible scientific research will continue to validate time-tested traditions and common sense. Wish you all a very happy, healthy and confusion-free 2026,\u201d she captioned her Instagram post.<\/p>\n
\n1. A decline in protein obsession<\/p>\n
According to Diwekar, protein obsession peaked this year, but it will \u201cgo down in 2026 as evidence mounts of no benefit of consuming extra protein, except for sellers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Protein is a macronutrient that supports muscle growth, repair, and maintenance, aids in weight management by promoting satiety, and contributes to enzyme and hormone production.\u00a0Simrat Kathuria, celebrity dietician and wellness coach, told indianexpress.com that the hype surrounding protein could be seen as a cultural shift. \u201cProtein<\/a> <\/strong>fits into the clean-eating culture. People feel that if they have a protein-rich snack, they\u2019re doing something good for their body, even if it\u2019s a processed bar,\u201d she said. Instagram reels and fitness influencers also played a role in pushing forward the narrative, based more on perception than real science.<\/p>\n Achieving a well-rounded protein intake involves diversifying your protein sources. While animal products such as lean meats, poultry, and fish are excellent protein providers, plant-based sources like beans, lentils, tofu, and quinoa can be equally effective.<\/p>\n 2. Decrease in alcohol consumption<\/p>\n Diwekar said that alcohol consumption decreased in the West and will continue to do so in 2026 as its health impact becomes more mainstream. \u201cHope India and other developing countries follow suit,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n According to Dr Jayanta Thakuria, Director of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology at Yatharth Super Speciality Hospitals, Faridabad, alcohol can irritate the digestive system, have a detrimental effect on sleep quality, adversely react with certain medications, including sedatives and psychiatric drugs and have a terrible impact on one\u2019s cardiovascular system.<\/p>\n Story continues below this ad<\/p>\n Alcohol is calorie-dense, and consuming it in conjunction with snacks can lead to weight gain over time.\u00a0In fact, binge drinking, defined as consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short time, is particularly harmful. \u201cThis behaviour can lead to acute alcohol-related liver disease, cardiovascular complications, and, in extreme cases, fatalities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n 3. Weight loss pills will go strong<\/p>\n Diwekar predicts that these drugs will continue to proliferate, as they are still \u201cfar from peaking\u201d. However, she also feels that early users will stop using them in 2026 \u201cdue to adverse effects, especially on muscle mass.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"health](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/health-trends-2026-2.jpg\")
Health is wealth, and the earlier we start this journey, the better it is. (Source: Freepik)<\/p>\n
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