The 5 biggest health trends of 2025 – from brain food to the metabolic ‘reset’

If you’re feeling depleted, exhausted and not your best self this winter, you may be eager to go on a January health kick.

The good news is you won’t be short of options.

The global wellness industry is now worth £4.9trillion*, and the interest in shaping up and living a healthier life shows no signs of waning, with last year seeing a rise in saunas, adaptogens and going teetotal, just as we predicted this time last year.

“Gen Z led the demand for holistic wellness, which blends mental wellbeing, nutrition and physical health,” says Emily Reed, head of innovation pipeline at Holland & Barrett.

“Products such as omega-3 supplements, magnesium, and high-strength turmeric were bestsellers.”

But what’s set to be big in the next 12 months?

RETHINKING METABOLISM

In 2025, expect to hear more about how metabolism reflects your body’s function as a whole. “Metabolism-focused wellness will gain traction as we better understand its role in energy, mood and ageing,” says Emily.

“For example, wrinkles are a natural part of ageing, but can also be a sign of poor metabolic health. It is why in 2025, retraining your metabolism for a healthier life will be on trend.”

But how do you boost your metabolism? “Increase your muscle mass,” says Chloe Thomas, PT and founder of Chloe Inspires Coaching. Lifting weights is the best way to do this, while aerobic exercise like HIIT “increase your metabolic rate,” Chloe adds.

She also says that sleep is key. “Lack of sleep disrupts the balance of hormones, such as leptin and ghrelin, which regulate your hunger and energy use.

“Thankfully, we can monitor our metabolic markers, meaning we can have a proactive approach to health and tailor our lifestyle accordingly.”

For example, the Lumen Metabolism Tracker, £299, observes your health and gives tailored dietary advice.

SMILE!

The hashtag #Teethtok has garnered 1.1 billion views and counting, but in 2025 oral care will go beyond the surface, focusing on the microbiome in your mouth.

“Think of your oral microbiome as a community,” says Anni Seaborne, head of general dentistry at Bupa Dental Care. “A balanced neighbourhood promotes health, whereas an accumulation of bacterial plaque disrupts harmony.

While tooth decay and gum disease are the most well-known conditions linked to changes in the oral microbiome, research suggests poor oral health may contribute to issues including lung conditions, heart disease, stroke and Alzheimer’s.

So expect dentists to start introducing saliva tests at check-ups to find out any treatments patients may need and whether they should consult their GP for underlying issues.”

We’ll be spending more on oral health, too, with the global oral-care market expected to reach £4.6billion by 2027.**

Look out for advanced toothpaste formulas, oral supplements and smart toothbrushes that give feedback on your brushing habits.

MUM’S THE WORD

Women’s health is still in the spotlight, after movements such as the Menopause Matters campaign we launched in 2021.

This year, experts believe that there will be a greater focus on the maternal health space.

“In 2025, there will be a health spotlight on ‘matrescence’, a term used to describe the physical, emotional and social changes women go through when they become a mother,” says Emily.

Social media influencers are more candid than ever about their experiences with matrescence, and research looking at how a woman’s brain changes after pregnancy and into motherhood is ramping up, according to Holland & Barrett.

It also reports that with the average age of first-time mums increasing, so will products targeted to them.

At-home test kits, such as the Holland & Barrett Female Hormone Blood Test, £99, When Egg Count Check Kit, £99.03, and Mira Hormone Monitor, £209, give women more information about their fertility, helping them make family-planning decisions to suit their lives.

FIBRE’S GLOW UP

Fibre hasn’t historically been deemed a sexy topic. But now, we’re talking about our bowels more than ever, thanks to campaigners such as Dame Deborah James.

The Sun columnist, who died in June 2022 of bowel cancer aged 40, urged everyone to “check your poo”.

According to Holland & Barrett’s wellness report, fibre will flourish in 2025, as people become more educated on its benefits, which include reducing the risk of bowel cancer and helping weight loss in a similar way to weight-loss injections.

“The recommended daily fibre intake is 30g for adults, but most people in the UK fall short, only eating about 18g, which is mostly due to consuming ultra-processed or refined foods,” says Kelly Mulhall, nutritionist, gut health expert and founder of The Natural Balance.

“The best sources of fibre are whole fruits, veg, leafy greens, pears, plums and legumes.”

And look out for new fibre-rich functional foods that up your intake with ease, such as fibre-infused water, lupin flour and prebiotic fibres that you can add to drinks.

BRAIN FOOD

According to the Alzheimer’s Society, one in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia, which is why more of us than ever are taking preventative measures.

“Brain health will remain a focus, with growing awareness of the impact our diet and key nutrients can have on it,” says Emily.

“Interest in ingredients such as iodine and choline, which support long-term cognitive function, will grow as people of all ages find proactive ways to stay sharper for longer.”

The correlation between beneficial gut bacteria and mental wellbeing is still in its infancy, but “psychobiotics” – foods with brain benefits, such as kimchi and kefir – are now available in supermarkets, where previously they were sold exclusively in health-food stores.

Holland & Barrett predicts a rise in products with brain-power ingredients iodine and omega-3 fatty acids, which are already added to plant-based milks.

Meanwhile, the brain-training apps market is predicted to be worth 43.8billion by 2031.*** Try apps like Lumosity, CogniFit and Elevate to test your grey matter.