Thu, 07/09/2020 - 17:52pm | By: David Tisdale

Faculty and staff at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) operating a premier biomedical training program refused to let challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic hamper their mission.

Headquartered on the USM Hattiesburg campus, the Mississippi IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) is a statewide network of colleges and universities from across Mississippi, with USM serving as lead institution, whose goal is to increase competitiveness in biomedical research through provision of experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate students from these schools, preparing them for health-related careers serving Mississippians who suffer from a wide range of health disparities.

Mississippi INBREs work is supported by a grant from the Institutional Development Award (IDeA), from the National Institute of General Medical Science (NIGMS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In the nearly 20 years since its founding, it has garnered more than $70 million in NIH grant funding for its research efforts through 2023.

With the pandemic preventing physical gathering, our team worked especially hard in going the extra mile to covert two of our three scholar programs into an online summer training experience, so that we can continue the tremendous momentum weve built over all these years, said Dr. Mohamed Elasri, a USM microbiology professor who directs Mississippi INBRE.

The largest intensive student training program of its kind in the state, Mississippi INBRE has trained 688 students to date through their three summer scholars research programs which recruit students from throughout the state and train them in biomedical and public health research in order to address the major health disparities consistently affecting state residents, such as cancer, diabetes, obesity, and infectious diseases.

Our student training programs originated through offering immersive hands-on biomedical laboratory research experiences for Mississippi students at predominately undergraduate schools that typically do not have ready exposure to a real-world research environment, known as our Mississippi INBRE Research Scholars Program, said Caroline Iverson, coordinator of Student Programs and Director of the Mississippi INBRE Research Scholars Program. Providing these students the opportunity to experience first-hand what graduate research would be like as an undergraduate is indispensable to helping inform their decision to continue into biomedical and health-related careers.

In recent years, we realized the need to address these health concerns of Mississippians could not be solved in the lab alone, and that we could improve the approach by expanding our network to include partnerships with community-based public health programs, Iverson continued. Through these partnerships, we were able to develop two more immersive research experiences for students, our Mississippi INBRE Service Scholars (MISS) and our Mississippi INBRE Outreach Scholars (MIOS) Program. It has been these two community-based public health research experiences that we have been extremely successful in adapting to a virtual format this summer, allowing for 48 more scholars to still be trained in evidence-based research techniques, when physical access to research labs and campus was no longer an option for our other program due to the pandemic.

*The Mississippi INBRE Service Scholars (MISS) is a community-based outreach program designed to complement the biomedical research experience of undergraduate students with community-based, grassroots public health practices that strengthen their undergraduate experience and serve as a pipeline into biomedical research careers in Mississippi. It features a one-week intensive virtual orientation on public health topics and a nine-week professional workforce experience (10 weeks total). The program has been altered to support the virtual delivery of the orientation and the implementation of the workforce experience and research. The MISS program is facilitated through a partnership with My Brothers Keeper, Inc., a private nonprofit in Mississippi focused on alleviating health disparities for minorities and marginalized populations under the direction of Dr. June Gipson, president and CEO. Additionally, the MISS program is coordinated by Antwan Nicholson as well as other staff members of My Brothers Keeper Inc. who serve as MISS program mentors and facilitate workshop training instruction.

*The Mississippi INBRE Outreach Scholars (MIOS) Program is a community-based participatory research program for both Mississippi and Louisiana college students. The program runs for 10 weeks from May to July. The Outreach Scholars experience begins with a week-long orientation followed by approximately 40 total workshop hours throughout the summer. This year the program was transformed to support the fully online delivery of the program curriculum and implementation of research and community outreach activities. MIOS works with community partners to develop social marketing campaigns based on its research efforts to support healthy lifestyle behaviors among Mississippians and Louisianans to address preventable chronic diseases, health disparities and diet, physical activity and COVID19 preventable behaviors. Community organization partners for the MIOS program include My Brothers Keeper-Hattiesburg (Joseph Lindsey), Hattiesburg Clinic Diabetes Care (Linda Gwaltney, RD), United Houma Nation Wellness Center (Lanor Curole), and Mississippi Band of Choctaw Diabetes Program (Darlene Willis). At the completion of the program, MIOS will also have prepared an abstract and research poster to present to both professional and community audiences. The MIOS program is facilitated through the Mississippi INBRE Telenutrition Center under the direction of Dr. Jennifer Lemacks, RD, at USM. The MIOS program is coordinated by Sermin Aras, RD, and center investigator, Dr. Tammy Greer, an associate professor of psychology, as well as other faculty, research staff, and graduate students at USM and beyond who facilitate delivery of program workshops and activities, as well as serve as program mentors.

Upon the completion of their summer programs, both the Mississippi INBRE Service Scholars and the Mississippi INBRE Outreach Scholars will have prepared an abstract and research poster to present during the Mississippi INBRE Virtual Research Symposium held the last week of their internship, and again at the Mississippi Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting Feb. 11-12, 2021.

Mississippi INBRE MIOS Outreach Scholars include:

*Raven Mingo, Philadelphia, Miss. (Neshoba Central High School); asso
ciate of science and arts, junior at the University of Oregon; research interests include Native American Health Disparities/Psychology. I hope to gain insight on Native American health disparities in the Deep South, and learn how I may be able to help them, Mingo said. I also thought the program was a good start to my career of research.

*Cindy McCarty, Ocean Springs, Miss. (St. Martin High School); senior nutrition and dietetics major, USM; research interests include diet, health status, physical activity and plans to become a registered dietician and also work as a college instructor. I hope sharpen research skills such as comprehending literature, statistical analysis, and writing, McCarty said. Also, I would like to develop lasting relationships to benefit my career through networking.

*Jasmine Nguyen, Pearl, Miss. (Pearl High School); senior psychology major at the University of Mississippi with plans to become a clinical psychologist. My research interests include disease prevention in the Hispanic early adulthood population, and I hope to gain experience from the Summer Research Scholar program, Nguyen said. From such experience, I will become knowledgeable in various aspects of the research methods process, work on my interpersonal skills and build professional relationships with potential mentors.

*Tatiana Willis, Choctaw, Miss. (Neshoba Central High School) a biochemistry/pre-med junior at Mississippi State University (transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College), who plans to become a pediatrician. I hope to gain skills in research through INBRE, Willis said. Im so happy I decided to be in this internship. Ive met a group of great people, and I hope to learn more along this journey.

*Ozzie Willis, Choctaw, Miss. (Choctaw Central High School); graduate student in sociology at University of Oklahoma; areas of research interest include trauma, race and ethnicity, crime/deviance, and family; career interests include tribal research and societal impacts. I hope to gain more knowledge within the research field, while also implementing knowledge I already have, Willis said. I will also be able to obtain sufficient research experience with a subject that I am passionate about.

*Benjamin Goudy, Meridian, Miss. (Southeast Lauderdale High School); junior kinesiotherapy major with a minor in psychology at USM; research interests include the relationship between diseases, diet and physical activity behaviors among Mississippians. His career interest is in physical therapy. I hope to gain a good understanding of how to actually conduct a research study through the (INBRE) program, Goudy said. I also look forward to meeting new people and adding to my networking skills as I experience research for the first time.

*DaKeria McGill, Southaven, Miss. (Desoto Central High School), a senior at USM studying public health and psychology; research focus is on epidemiology and biostatistics, specifically regarding health disparities, infectious disease, and womens health; career goal is to become an epidemiologist, with research specialty in the southeastern U.S. My aspirations for the MIOS program is to obtain a sufficient knowledge of research and the many details it consists of, McGill said. I would also love to learn more about the true meaning of service above self, and to actively work towards the expansion of knowledge of the greater health. I also aspire to utilize and expand upon my current knowledge and applied learning skills in a new setting of conducting research.

*Kasha Clay, Houma, La. (Terrebonne High School); senior double-major in English/sociology at Nichols State University; research interests include minority/coastal/indigenous communities; career interests include freelance grant writer in the nonprofit sector, assisting often marginalized communities.

Through the MIOS program, I hope to expand my knowledge and experience conducting evidence-based research. I also appreciate this opportunity as a sufficient addition to my resume as I look forward to gaining hands-on experience by working on a research project from start to finish, Clay said. Becoming more knowledgeable about important issues in my community is another way I will greatly benefit from this program. The MIOS program will enhance my hard skills, and also provide me with friendships and mentors for years to come.

*Anna Shepard, Madison, Miss. (Germantown High School); senior nutrition major, Spanish minor at Mississippi State University; research focus is chronic disease and COVID-19; career plans include becoming a physician, working in internal medicine. This summer, I hope to gain not only research experience, but also positively impact the community through our social marketing campaign, Shepard said. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to participate in research during a time that is so uncertain. We are forced to work online, but I know that we will still make a difference.

*Jada King, Bay Springs, Miss.; exercise science major with concentration in pre-medicine, University of Mississippi (junior transfer from Jones College); research interests include helping alleviate the high chronic disease rate among African American adults in Mississippi by learning about their eating and physical activity behaviors; a Mississippi Rural Medical Scholar, Kings career goals include becoming a family medicine physician with a fellowship in sports medicine and work in a rural area in Mississippi, and later becoming the primary care sports medicine physician for a collegiate or professional athletics team.

I believe having the opportunity to directly research Mississippi residents nutrition patterns and to implement ways to improve their habits could help me reach my goal of admission into medical school, King said. This opportunity (INBRE summer program) can help me gain more knowledge on nutrition and fitness, and to fuel my passion for fitness and medicine.

Mississippi Service Scholars participants include:

*Melaan Bender, Jackson, Miss. (Germantown High School); senior chemistry major at Tougaloo College; career interests include those concerning research in environmental sciences and environmental policy.

Because my research experience prior to this internship was strictly lab and experiment based, I am excited to dive into qualitative research methods, Bender said. Its going to be interesting to hear how others present their findings because the answers are less concrete, and more open-ended. As we delve into research concerning marginalized individuals, Im hoping to get a better understanding of difference groups and their specified public health needs.

I know that many people
utilize My Brothers Keeper as a major public health resource from clinic visits to information so it will feel really good to contribute my part.

*Quandarius L. Scrivens, Belzoni, Miss. (Humphreys County High School); sophomore computer science major at Alcorn State University; research interests include slowing the spread of infectious diseases; vaccines for viruses without a cure; disabilities and modifications; and neuropathy; career goals include health and safety engineer or work in infectious diseases treatment and prevention.

This (INBRE) program has opened a whole new world for me, and if there is one thing I hope to gain from this experience is to better understand the process of the research to treat these viruses and diseases that threaten the lives of so many, Scrivens said.

*Cameron Wilborn, Lambert, Miss., (M.S. Palmer High School); junior biomedical engineering major at Jackson State University; research interests include health disparities in African American Communities, biomedical devices, prosthetics, and STD and HIV prevention; career

goals include earning Ph.D. in either biomedical engineering or biomedical materials science, then starting a prosthetics and biomedical materials company, while also giving back to the community by providing services for underprivileged African Americans and veterans.

I expect to enhance my research skills (through the MISS program) so I can be an asset to healthcare in my future endeavors, Wilborn said. I expect to improve my teamwork skills by bonding with my peers and mentors while working on research. I expect to gain skills that will help me be a better-rounded individual, and take on any problems that I may face at school as well as in the workforce. I also expect to make a change in the public health field by conducting research through Mississippi INBRE.

*Taylor Fry, Natchez, Miss. (Natchez High School), Jackson State University, bachelors in psychology, current graduate student in clinical mental health counseling; research interests include neuroimmunology, the relationship between mental health and public health, and the relationship between mental health and chronic health diseases; career goals include becoming a clinical psychologist focusing on diagnosis, counseling, treatment and rehabilitation, and to create a foundation and programs promoting mental health awareness and focus on the integration of public health educate underrepresented communities.

I am honored to be a part of such amazing programs. Were only three weeks into the program and my expectations have been exceeded, despite the unforeseen circumstances of a virtual internship due to COVID-19, Fry said. Im extremely pleased with my mentors, Deja Abdul-Haqq and Joseph Lindsey, as we are diving into compelling research. Although we have not been able to meet face to face, I still hope to gain research experience and become more familiar with the research process. I want to continue to build my knowledge and expertise in the area, while building a network of lifelong mentors. Not only am I getting research experience, but I am building a professional network and enhancing professional skills as well. I have very high expectations for the duration of the program, and am excited for what my future holds with Mississippi INBRE and My Brothers Keeper. For more information about Mississippi INBRE, visit https://msinbre.org/.

See the rest here:
Mississippi INBRE Adapts to COVID-19 Restrictions to Deliver Summer Research Programs - Southern Miss Now

Given the new life circumstances caused by the coronavirus pandemic and with an aim and ambition of ensuring that members of the public in Doha remain safe and healthy, Qatar's Aspire Zone has launched a virtual summer program through its social network platforms (Instagram and YouTube). The initiative endeavours to ensure that younger individuals incorporate exercise into the framework of their day-to-day activity which is essential in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

The new Aspire virtual summer program features elements aimed at 5-10 year-old children and serves up several fitness activities on a weekly basis with the routines published on both the Aspire Instagram and YouTube feeds.

There will also be a series of videos presented by specialized coaches set to be aimed at young adolescents (11-14 years-old) and this will feature a fitness challenge consisting of 6 exercises, each one scheduled to last just one minute and the teenagers can interact with the coaches at the Academy.

The programmes is also set to focus on food and nutritional advice with videos set to be broadcast on Aspire's Instagram platform three times a week (Saturday, Monday, and Thursday). These videos are produced in conjunction with the Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, a subsidiaries of the Aspire Zone (which is located to the the Al-Khalifa International Stadium), the Academy of Sports Excellence, ASpetar, the Qatar Sports Museum, Anti-Doping Laboratory, The Torch Doha hotel along with the Aspire Zone head-office.

Excerpt from:
Aspire's online program aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle - AS English

The TikTok social media platform has made headlines in the US recently for political reasons, but in South Africa one of the leading topfruit compnies, Tru-Cape Marketing, is using it to engage with young shoppers.

It is doing this through a healthy-lifestyle promotion aimed at increasing sales of the apple variety Kanzi.

Tru-Cape Marketing has engaged an interactive agency to produce a message which they believe young South African consumers will not be able to resist, and will hopefully send Kanzi onto a new level.

The company proposed the idea of a campaign using the Kanzi beat to interactive agency, Recode Media, and asked that they propose 'influencers' to help drive the message home.

According to Tru-Cape marketing director Conrad Fick, the group suggested TikTok for a successful lockdown campaign.

A TikTok competition where entrants demonstrate how they get healthy with Tru-Cape and Kanzi apples, essentially a repeat of what we did during lockdown, using their own song, dancing or lip-syncing and a Kanzi beat is the plan, Fick explained.

With exercising hour restrictions also lifted, entrants have the chance to get out and be active, in turn promoting an overall healthy lifestyle. Entrants will be asked to show us how they're getting active with Tru-Cape and Kanzi to stand a chance to win.

Tru-Cape has already secured strong Facebook, Instagram and Twitter followings, but TikTok seems particularly fast growing: In a short period we have already grown TikTok followers to 1,059 and, based on the advice of Recode, selected influencers to help amplify the message," he noted.

The Tru-Cape social media campaign is an indication how online activities will be used to promote the health-giving qualities of fruit.

Since the lockdown started in South Africa at the end of March, all gyms and fitness centres have been closed. One online fitness business, Jeff Together, changed the whole fitness business by combining healthy eating with exercise at home.

The initiative has shown unprecedented success with 45,000 people already signed up, in both South Africa and in 109 countries around the world.

The Kanzi hiphop or the Jeff skip it seems as if one of the positives to come out of Covid-19 is healthy lifestyles, which will particularly involve young people and healthy eating.

Read the rest here:
Tru-Cape turns to TikTok - Fruitnet

Established during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Annas Place NOLA is moving ahead with its mission to support underserved youth in New Orleans while facing a different kind of adversity the coronavirus.

Throughout the year, the organization provides primarily Black youth, ages 5-18, with after-school music- and arts-based programming, along with academic education. Its annual summer camp typically runs five full days a week and offers instrumental music lessons and computer coding classes, along with field trips and activities that focus on virtual arts, dance, mindfulness and leading a healthy lifestyle.

This summer, because of COVID-19, Annas Place summer camp went virtual. Partnerships with local community groups and individuals have enabled it to supply students in need with laptops.

I have to say we are very lucky in this time to still be able to connect with them, and that people are still so motivated to help our students, said Brianna Carr, who became the director of Annas Place NOLA about a year ago. There have definitely been challenges in my first year, obviously, but it still brings me a lot of joy just to be able to connect with them, even in this virtual platform.

Annas Place also operates a food pantry, which has more than doubled its distribution within recent months. Around the time coronavirus began spreading throughout New Orleans, Annas Place was providing 25 families per month with bags of groceries. That number has grown to 63 families per month.

Our food pantry is doing amazing work, Carr said. They are working diligently to provide the homeless, out-of-work musicians and families with food.

Although Annas Place currently caters to youth and families in Treme, the Lower 9th Ward and Uptown Gentilly, the group initially concentrated its efforts on Treme, which carries high rates of poverty, crime and homelessness.

According to The Data Center, the average household income in Orleans Parish is $67,224, while the average in the area served by St. Annas Place is $28,970. The life expectancy in Orleans Parish is 75.8; in the St. Annas Place area, its 63.6.

Through collaborations with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Orleans Museum of Art, Loyola University, NOLA Code, The Microsoft Store and Tulane University, among other institutions, Annas Place helps youth in struggling neighborhoods discover their potential and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Shalom Andersons 11-year-old son Caleb Montgomery has participated in Annas Place programs for more than four years. He is currently enrolled in the virtual summer camp.

He misses the interaction with the kids, which is not abnormal, but overall he loves it, said Anderson, noting that Caleb especially enjoys the music and art lessons. Hes drawing like crazy now.

Felicia Parish has three children enrolled in the program: Chyna Beaulieu, 15; Felein Beaulieu, 14; and Chy'anna Beaulieu, 13.

I signed them up because I needed them to stay busy. I didn't want them to not be doing anything, she said, explaining that they have participated in the organizations after-school programs for several years. I thought it was a good place for them to meet new friends and still learn at the same time.

Chyna and Felein now attend parochial schools.

(Annas Place) gives you great opportunities opportunities that you wouldn't get anywhere else, said Parish.

Although the youth centers fall programming will likely take place on a virtual platform, it will focus on academics and music lessons. Registration runs from July 17 through Sept. 15, via annasplacenola.org. Students who are disproportionately affected by poverty are given priority, Carr said.

We do make it a point to look at those applications first, because we are here to hopefully create some kind of equal footing in the system for Black and Brown youth, and for children highly affected by poverty, she said.

The transformation of certain students points to the programs success.

One (student), who (likely) would have followed down a path that most of his family did in the drug trade, has graduated high school and is looking into college. We're just beginning to see our older students' lives change from that of their parents and their grandparents, Carr said. I love seeing their perspectives change once they've been here for a while.

View post:
Anna's Place NOLA offers a helping hand in studies, arts and health for at-risk youth - NOLA.com

The novel coronavirus has infected close to 12 million people worldwide and resulted in more than 5 lacs 36 thousand fatalities globally. As the number continues to rise with every passing day, countries across the globe have slowly eased lockdown restrictions to prevent the economy from nosediving. While the adults are slowly beginning to step outdoors to get back to work, schools and other educational institutes are still closed shut for unforeseeable future.

As the little ones continue to stay confined between the four walls of the home, it can be a challenging task for the parents to take care of their overall wellbeing. In the absence of any fixed routine and a disrupted sense of normalcy, it is becoming increasingly difficult to ensure that the children stay healthy, both physically and mentally.

Link:
COVID-19 pandemic: How to ensure that your child has a healthy lifestyle during the pandemic - Times of India

Dr. Michael Pourfar, an assistant professor of neurosurgery and neurology at NYU Langone Health, was used to patients reporting a loss of taste and smell. It's a symptom of Parkinson's disease, a focus of his work. But he was shocked when he suddenly experienced these symptoms himself a few months ago. Like many health-care workers, Pourfar contracted COVID-19. Loss of olfactory senses is one of the most common symptoms of the illness.

An ardent wine lover, Pourfar vividly recalled that a bottle of Williams Selyem Pinot Noir was the last wine he experienced before coronavirus took away his olfactory senses. And while scarier virus symptoms such as fever, aches and chills went away with time, the lack of taste and smell lingered. During his convalescence, Pourfar realized just how important wine was to his daily sense of well-being as one of the most comforting rituals in his daily life and one of his most reliable pleasures.

I can sympathize with Pourfar's struggles: My own normal was upended when I contracted the virus in mid-March and suffered the same loss of sense of smell and taste. The senses are returning, albeit slowly, but they are altered and distortedsomething that became especially clear to me when I tried to enjoy wine again. The following conversation with Dr. Pourfar was especially comforting because it reminded me that my walk to recovery isn't alone.

Wine Spectator: Could you give us a medical explanation as to how a virus could alter sense of smell?

Dr. Michael Pourfar: I don't think we have a full understanding yet of how specifically the virus causes anosmia [loss of sense of smell]. The nasal passages appear to be a common entry point for the virus and it's a pretty direct connection from there to the key neural connections that transmit smell to the brain. Early research suggests the virus may damage vascular support of the olfactory epithelium and bulb.

One of the first manifestations was a burning in my nose, as if it had been torched. A day later, my sense of smell was essentially wiped out. So I would postulate that the loss of smell occurs very much at the level of the nasal passages and disconnects the distal olfactory elements from the central connections in the brain, but I can't be certain. I would think the fact that it improves, in many cases, over days to weeks, would also point to a kind of local inflammatory response. But for some the loss is more long-lasting. So perhaps there is some variability in how the virus impacts olfactory function.

WS: Your sense of smell has been returning, little by little. Where is your sense of smell now? Have there been changes you believe may be long-lasting?

MP: I keep thinking my sense of smell is more or less completely back until something reminds me that that's not quite the case. Strange things like not tearing up when I cut an onion. I guess a sensory analogy many might relate to is thinking your eyesight is pretty good and then going to the optometrist and seeing something with a sharper lens and going, "Oh man, that's a lot clearer!" I think my nose could probably use one additional adjustment to get to full olfactory clarity. Maybe it will get there, maybe not. Still, I'm grateful I can once again determine when the milk is spoiled or the dinner is burning. The rest is luxury.

WS: Is it true that you can train yourself to regain these senses?

MP: I suspect my improvement was more a result of recovery than of any training, but I'd like to take some credit for moving things along with my concerted efforts at olfactory "training" (if I can ennoble sniffing with that term). I think psychologically it helped me feel like I was actively participating in my recovery.

WS: In an attempt to measure your rate of recovery you adopted the Cognac classification. V.S. meant a slight return of smell, V.S.O.P. a modest return and X.O. equaled back to normal. What gave you the idea to classify your recovery? And as a wine lover, why the choice of Cognac classification? (Mind you, this is a no-judgment zone.) You could have used wine classifications like Bordeaux or Italy .

MP: Neurologists love rating scales and love to track progression. I think it's in our DNA. So it was hardly a stretch for me to come up with my own scale. Wine was initially just too elusive. It smelled like nothing. I happened upon [smelling] Cognac. It imparted a kind of vaporous nuttiness that somehow got through my dulled senses.

As I improved, I extended my curiosity to wine and it was interesting to see how patchy the results were. I wondered whether recovery was a threshold phenomenon (e.g., the smell simply had to be strong enough) or a more smell-specific phenomenon (e.g., certain scents would return faster than others).

Though I can't claim the results to be rigorously scientific, I concluded it was a little of both: Some distinctive aromas (like New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc) registered earlier than subtler ones. But some very particular scents, not necessarily strong, also registered earlier than others, like that "lead pencil" quality of Bordeaux wines. So yes, eventually I could have created a Bordeaux rating scale, but regularly opening fine Bordeaux for the sake of scientific curiosity seemed a dicey and expensive proposition.

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WS: Since your recovery, you've started appreciating wines you'd previously not normally gravitated to, like New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs and Zinfandel. Have you discovered any others? And which wine has been the greatest rediscovery, and why?

MP: I have a pretty adventurous palate and enjoy new discoveries. But I think when you lose something, you become acutely aware of the comforts of the familiar. I'm not really looking for the next great thing so much as the last great thing right now.

That's why it was so exciting to discover, after a couple months of enophilic no-man's land, that I could again appreciate that very particular lead-pencil fragrance of a Bordeaux. Like a lot of people of my generation, I started with and then moved away from Bordeaux. So in a way, it was my most welcome rediscovery.

In general it seemed, if I could borrow an analogy from another sense, that wines with more bass notes were easier to process than wines in a higher key. More acidic flavors overwhelmed my diminished sensory state. Gamay and Pinot Noir, two of my pre-COVID favorites, just smelled and tastedto my chagrinstrangely off-key. Some wines that I found more appealing than before included fleshier wines from Ribera del Duero and Gigondas, which I always liked but found more in sync. I've returned now to some of my pre-COVID favorites but have a newfound appreciationand gratitudefor the wines that accompanied my recovery.

WS: Is there a specific bottling that you tasted as you were recovering that has become a new favorite?

MP: I think one thing this has taught me is how fragile our love of wine is. So many of us have poured so much time, energy and money into this passion and have certainly been enriched by it well beyond what's in the glass. But I've seen how it can all be so quickly undermined by the loss of smell, the loss of health or any number of factors. All those special bottles I'd been saving what exactly was I waiting for?

But then again, I'm struck by how resilient that love is even if we need to adapt to changed circumstances. Tastes change. In that light, what I've come to enjoy most is not a particular bottle but the pleasure of opening any bottle with a loved one, breathing it in and thinking, Yes, thank you.

WS: What advice would you give other COVID sufferers who are experiencing diminished taste and smell?

MP: I think it's important to acknowledge that people have lost much more than their sense of smell. They've lost their liv
es, their livelihood, loved ones. But that should not take away our ability to empathize with those who have experienced lesser losses, whether it's missing a graduation or losing one's sense of smell.

To those who have lost their sense of smell, I'd certainly convey my empathy and try to give them hope that in most cases it will return even if not to what it was before. Hopefully you will find little preserved islands of sensory pleasure that remain or emerge or maybe even awaken a new receptivity. I can certainly say that if and when it does return, wine will never taste the same. No matter what you're drinking it will taste better.

WS: Finally, as a physician, how has this affected your own journey dealing with patients with COVID?

MP: My specialty is Parkinson's and, interestingly, loss of smell is often a very early manifestation, so for years I've been asking patients about it without really appreciating the significance on a person's quality of life. It seemed that there were always too many other issues that pushed it into the backgroundtrouble walking, difficulties with speech.

Now I've come to understand how loss of smell and taste impact appetite, impact emotional well-being. We all instinctively knowwithout reading Proust or understanding neurosciencehow smell serves as a powerful gateway for memory and emotion. When that gateway is shut, even for a brief period of time, you realize what a devastating loss it is. It's certainly made me more sensitive to how integral smell and taste are to our sense of self.

Excerpt from:
Health Talk: Wine Lovers, COVID-19 and Lost Sense of Smell - Wine Spectator

The analyst has published a comprehensive research study based on a survey conducted to analyze the buying patterns, consumer behavior and impact of pricing on buying decisions

NEW YORK, July 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05927294/?utm_source=PRN

The report also provides insights into the marketing strategies and steps taken by the companies to retain their market position in the local as well as global market. The study also provides insights into the factors affecting the buying decisions, consumer preferences, and the demographic factors promoting the growth of the products of the global health drinks market.

The global health drinks market size was valued at USD 478.10 billion in 2019 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 6.06% in terms of value during the forecast period. Consumers approach wellness in a holistic view these days and they prefer drinks that give more health benefits to them. Several consumers want functional and healthy beverages and this trend is taking over drinks. Consumers have become more health-conscious, and they're willing to try healthier alternatives to traditional soft drinks. Healthy lifestyle trends have boosted the drinks industry as well as the frequent adoption of healthier beverages dominating social media channels and supermarket promotions. Enhanced beverages are gaining great market position, especially among consumers seeking out products good for their health with high sugar content as the price to pay. Celery juice cleanses are booming and celery juice has found itself being one of the trendiest beverages of the year so far. From improved digestion, to increase energy levels, celery juice appears to have what it takes to stick around for a while.

In the consumer survey, it is seen that 59% of consumers in North America purchase products that help save them time and effort. They prefer health drinks that support on-the-go lifestyles with less time in the working day to exercise. Nowadays, increasing the interest of the young generation in preventive measures shows a shift in awareness and behavior. Millennials are leading the charge by making health-promoting diet and lifestyle choices a priority, as recent studies indicate. These younger consumers are the most willing to take initiative on behalf of their well-being, and they are prepared to pay premium prices if necessary to achieve their goals. There's an emerging subcategory of drinkers, the "health-conscious drinker" that demands more than their simplistic drinking predecessors, and is looking to balance the social and physiological desires to consume alcohol, with the increasingly important need for health and support of the body and mind.

The United States, China, and Japan among top Markets for Health Drinks FIGURE 1 GLOBAL HEALTH DRINKS MARKET BY COUNTRY, 2018 (REVENUE % SHARE)

The U.S. is the largest health drink consuming nation as it holds more than 65% market share of the North America sports nutrition market and approximately 20% market share of the global health drinks market. The factors such as the increasing popularity of health drinks among the young population and aggressive marketing strategies adopted by market players to expand consumer base are the key growth drivers for the in this country. China holds the second-largest market share by country owing to government programs such as Healthy China 2030. Japan and India also hold a significant share of the global health drinks market.

FIGURE 2 SOURCE OF AN INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRODUCT

The analyst has published a comprehensive research study based on a survey conducted to analyze the buying patterns, consumer behavior, and consumer preferences. The above figure shows the sources of information about the product from which consumer comes to know about the products. The majority of consumers come to know about the product from television followed by family and friends. Television advertisements have a substantial influence on consumers. The effective advertisement also influences well educated adults. Family and friends are a big influence on drinking. If a friend or relative starts drinking healthy drinks then you're more likely to do the same. Display at the retail outlets is also the most influencing source of information for the consumers.

Among the regions, Asia Pacific dominates the global health drinks market. It holds approximately 40% market share of the global health drinks market. Increasing significant growth potential for health drink products in emerging economies such as India, Japan, and China is likely to further expand the growth of the health drinks market over the forecast period. Improvement in standard of living in these countries due to rising disposable income and urbanization are the major factors supplementing the growth of the Asia-Pacific health drinks market. North America is the second-largest market for health drinks as it holds near about 30% market share of the global health drinks market. The factors such as rising health consciousness along with changing lifestyle with fast-paced living in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico is expected to boost the growth of North America health drinks market over the period 2020 to 2026.

Research Methodology

Primary Research Our primary research involves extensive interviews and analysis of the opinions provided by the primary respondents. The primary research starts with identifying and approaching the primary respondents, the primary respondents are approached through Key Opinion Leaders associated Internal and External subject matter experts Professionals and participants from LinkedIn, Hoovers, Factiva and Bloggers Our primary research respondents typically include Executives working with leading companies in the market under review Product/brand/marketing managers CXO level executives Regional/zonal/ country managers Vice President level executives.

Methods of Primary Research Computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) Computer-assisted personal interview (CAPI) Computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) Questionnaires/Surveys

Secondary Research Secondary research involves extensive exploring through the secondary sources of information available in both public domain and paid sources. Each research study is based on over 500 hours of secondary research accompanied by primary research. The information obtained through the secondary sources is validated through the crosscheck on various data sources. The secondary sources of the data typically include Company reports and publications Government/institutional publications Trade and associations' journals Databases such as WTO (World Trade Organization), OECD (The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), Hoovers, Factiva, and the World Bank, among others. Websites and publications by research agencies

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05927294/?utm_source=PRN

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Global Health Drinks Market: Consumer Behavior Analysis by Countries, Buying Pattern Analysis, Demographics, Trends Analysis, Survey Findings and...

Domestic doctor Alexander Myasnikov debunked the major myths relating to healthy lifestyle. Some related with the latest rules had become obsolete.

For a long time it was believed that red meat and the fats harmful to the human body. In particular, it was felt that the product triggers an increased risk of a number of diseases and unpleasant conditions, including stroke and heart attack. However, a number of works of scientists talked about the fact that monogyny in the product is not so harmful. In the autumn of last year, the study showed that the cardiovascular system of the red meat risk is not responsible. At the same time, the product remains a risk factor for colon cancer. It contains many important vitamins and minerals, so in a week it can eat up to three times what would be useful.

The view that daily need to overcome 10 thousand steps, is not correct. We are talking about the approximate load volumes, the main thing to move. You can go swimming, Jogging or other physical activity. In the diet butchers advised to include plenty of vegetables, fruits and fish. Sausage is better to replace the boiled meat.

Excerpt from:
Dr. Alexander Myasnikov debunked the main myths about healthy lifestyles - The Times Hub

A lot has changed in the last several weeks, and it likely wont be going back to being completely normal soon. This time at home has taught us a lot, though. I think for many, we are learning life lessons and resetting our priorities.

We need to hang on to these essential life lessons even when we start moving forward and go back to whatever new normal awaits us. Think about it much of how we lived our lives before this point included a ton of social media, a bunch of keeping up with the Jones, and a sense of financial security and health invincibility because the stock market was doing well.

We as a society were traveling like crazy and doing all kinds of new things without getting sick; according to the World Tourism Organization, tourist arrivals across the globe were supposed to cross 1.5 billion by this year.

That has all come to a grinding halt. Mother Earth has made us a victim of her latest punishment. We as humans need to not only stay safe and sane during this time (and please do: work to relieve stress, and practice self-care, please), but we also need to take this wake-up call and learn from it. We CANNOT keep going as we were. Its not sustainable.

So what life lessons am I referring to? I made a list. See if you agree, or if youd have anything to add.

This is a must, and I dont think we were doing this enough. Now we are forced to, and Im sure some families are at each others last nerve. But I think we should take a minute and appreciate what we are being given: a chance to reconnect and understand each other. An opportunity to work on our interpersonal relationships, let go of past issues, forgive each other, make new memories and get creative with how we are spending our time together.

Life Lessons: I think this is an essential life lesson to take away. The people closest to you deserve your time and attention, and vice versa. Use this time to reforge these relationships so that you can carry them with you for the rest of ever. No more excuses for not having enough time to do so; we have enough technology at our fingertips to stay connected no matter what.

For those who feel they cant reach out to family, remember that not every family is made of blood. So find your people, your loved ones, and use this time to strengthen the bonds you do have.

I hope everyone who once took their health and their access to medications for granted now realizes how lucky weve been thus far. I also hope everyone says, OK, time to make health a priority.

Until you are taking care of yourself, you will not be able to fight not just COVID but any illness.

Life lesson: Take steps now to redefine your view of fitness and health. Im not saying you need to become a bodybuilder, but pay attention to your food and activity levels, and work on developing healthy habits and build a healthy lifestyle. Think of food like its medicine and use it to work for you and keep you fit (versus what a lot of people do with eating fast food and the like, and it makes them ill). Pay attention to your activity and movement.

Take care of yourself now so that your body and mind can fight for you later.

Climate change is real (polar ice caps are melting, earths surface temperatures have increased, sea levels have risen, and the ocean is warmer). This is all due to increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. One of the good things to come from this situation is that it has put a halt on production and factories have shut down. Thus, air pollution levels are at an all-time low, and animals are coming out to play.

Life lesson: I think this is one of the most important lessons ever. The planet doesnt need us; we need it. Lets start respecting the ground we live on and take care of it because by doing so, we will extend our ability to live in it, and well make life better for ourselves.

Read:That 100-degree day in the Arctic underscores how this region is now warming twice as fast as Earth

How many people under normal circumstances would have online shopped and gone to the mall about five times now? I could probably fall into this category. Spending money is a wonderful stress reliever.

Life lesson: How much of our spending is actually necessary? Ive saved a lot of money in the last month alone, mainly by not eating out and not buying things I dont need. Funny thing, I dont feel like Im missing out.

Hopefully, this has shown us that we dont need much to be happy, what we have is good enough, and we need to be thankful for it, the rest is just excess and look how easy it is to cut it out of our lives! Those items you thought you couldnt live without? Guess what, youre living without them now, and youre surviving!

So lets reconfigure how we treat our hard-earned dollars and go forward spending wisely and showing more respect for our money.

Read:How to save money in tough times: 6 dos and donts

While youre creating that spending plan, take note of emergency funds. This is the longest rainy day/period ever. For anyone who couldnt figure out why they needed an emergency fund before, I hope it all makes sense now.

Life lesson: You should have about 3-6 months worth of living expenses put away, and it should be untouched except for in an emergency. This might seem like a lot. However, the purpose is to give you a cushion if you lose your job or need some time to transition between jobs. Going forward, this is also your pandemic relief fund. Basically, its so that you dont go into debt or have to sell you prized possessions to get by.

Read:I dont want to be someone in need of cash: How economic slumps inflicts permanent scars on spending and saving

Also:Are you bankrolling your adult kids in a crisis?

So many people are suffering pay cuts or losing their jobs during this time. Unemployment topped 13%! A common theme to address this that Ive noticed is advocating for multiple income streams or starting a side hustle. While I think thats a viable option, not everyone can do that. Their skill sets dont allow them to, or they are already bogged down so much by their primary jobs, or there is some other reason.

Life Lesson: Yes, multiple sources of income are one way to cushion yourself in the future, but I think we should all also consider career backup plans going forward. This crisis has shown us that you never know what can happen; even health care is not a secure profession (many people in the front lines are taking pay cuts, as are subspecialty services that only do elective procedures or outpatient care). We all should have an idea of what else we could do with our skills; or what areas wed be willing to learn so that if were forced to, we can pivot.

Times are changing, and more change is coming. We must adapt to these life-changing events and be prepared for any possibility.

Read:Midcareer? Your job is at risk heres what to do now

How many are completely overwhelmed or frustrated by social media? Theres only so much any brain can take. Now we all have so much time on our hands, and Im sure much of it is spent online. But, as Im sure you are finding out, it actually makes this worse.

Life lesson: Theres a lot on social media that is exaggerated, falsified or taken out of context. I had to stop reading stories because of all of these reasons. I hope that everything you read online from here on out, you take with a large grain of salt.

Find trustworthy news outlets to understand the facts; trust the experts who are doing their best and working tirelessly to bring you updates; and most importantly, take a break from your phones. You dont have to always be connected.

How many parents are home schooling right now? How many think that poking their eyes out with a hot stick would be less painful?

Life lesson: Our teachers are some of the most essential people in our society. They really work hard and deserve so much more respect and money than they currently get. When schools reopen and we continue moving forward with life, lets give our teachers a huge shout-
out and advocate for their support.

We live in a world that is go go go. We are constantly under pressure to be productive, to compete and be better than our peers or ourselves, and to never take breaks. While this has resulted in many of us having successful careers, as I mentioned earlier, this isnt sustainable. We are burning out, we are getting tired, and we are hiding our depression. In essence, we have lost our work-life balance. We need to get it back and start living our best lives.

Life Lessons: Lets slow down. We need to live one day at a time and pay attention to where we are at. I know this is much easier said than done, and Im not saying you shouldnt plan for the future. I just think that we need to do a better job of being present and being more mindful. We all know that life is short; lets wake up from this and try to really enjoy life and make every moment count.

What were going through right now, dealing with being confined, coping with boredom, going crazy in our homes, learning to cope with our fears, and struggling to keep our sanity. some people fight this battle every day, every week, every year. To simplify it further, life is made up of all kinds of nonsensical stuff we have to deal with, and now its worse due to the pandemic.

Recent research is showing that over one-third of Americans are suffering from depression and anxiety an increase from before the pandemic.

Life Lesson: Mental health is an integral part of our health and needs to be continuously addressed, just like our physical health is. Its not taboo. Its real, and its normal. I hope that this pandemic will bring to light the need to have regular mental-health checks and care.

Im sure our perspective has shifted in the last few weeks about who really matters for us to function as individuals and as a society.

Life Lesson: Its not the online influencers that matter most or the makeup artists that you cant live without. No, its our health-care workers including everyone who works in a hospital our minimum-wage workers and the labor force that does all the back-end work that we never notice, and our banks and grocery stores that provide us with the core essentials we cant survive without.

Lets all take a minute to recognize these people, be grateful that they exist, and that we have access to them. As we come out of this quarantine, lets continue to show gratitude, compassion, and kindness for them and recognize their hard work. Lets change our mindset and take care of them as they care for us. Lets NOT take them for granted anymore.

Illness and natural disasters are great equalizers, and they also highlight the disparities in our society.

Life Lesson: Money, status, fame and looks have no bearing on what happens to you, nor does it protect you in any way. At the end of the day, we are all susceptible to the same human vices, illnesses and consequences.

We need to remember that we are all human.

In summary, the situation, hopefully, is helping you to reprioritize your time and your life purpose. I hope you can use this time to find yourself and realize what truly matters to you and allows you to live your best life.

Lets carry these lessons with us as we move forward so that we, as a society, are better as a whole because of this experience. Lets not make the same mistakes we have been making.

Sanjana Vig is a physician anesthesiologist who also has an MBA. She blogs at YouBeThree, with the aim to empower people to be the best version of themselves. This was first published on Your Money Geek, a website that aims to make personal finance fun.

Link:
Coronavirus is changing us but which of these lessons are we learning? - MarketWatch

THE United States has an 84.1% share of the global market in organic food and beverages. This has come about because, over the past decade, organic producers have risen to the challenge of meeting increasing consumer demand for such products.

A review by the Centre for Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture at Universiti Malaya revealed that the Malaysian organic food industry is still small, with more than 60% of such products being imported.

Over the past decades, the governments initiatives to encourage people to have a healthy lifestyle appear to have been successful demand for organically grown foods has increased significantly as people appreciate the possible health benefits of such foods and the assurance that such food is safe.

Agriculture and Food Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Che Abdullah Mat Nawi has said that the increased demand for organic rice is attributable to Malaysians healthier lifestyles. He also stressed that organic padi farming offers a better return than traditional agriculture due to low water usage and limited use of padi seeds. It is also proven safe for public health because organic food is chemical- free. Other benefits of organically grown foods include higher dry matter levels, particularly for leafy vegetables and tubers, more top-quality proteins with better amino acid ranking in livestock reared organically, and more magnesium, iron, phosphorus and other healthy elements.

Among the environmental effects are the fact that organic farming increases the soils physical-biological properties as it offers more organic matter and biomass, higher enzyme levels, better soil stability, improved water percolation and holding capacity, and less water use and wind erosion. It also requires less energy and creates less waste per unit area of yield and is less environmentally harmful because it does not use synthetic pesticides.

In comparison, conventionally grown foods have adverse health effects due to pesticide residue; they contain more nitrates, heavy metals and hormones; they create antibiotic waste; and they can come from genetically modified organisms. They are also less nutritious and contain fewer protective antioxidants than organically grown foods.

According to the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, which promotes organic farming, the four fundamental principles of organic agriculture are health, ecology, fairness and care. The principles are designed to enhance biological cycles in the agricultural system, preserve and enhance soil fertility, minimise all forms of pollution, avoid the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilisers, and produce high-quality food in sufficient quantities.

Locally, there are also many government policies and regulations aimed at promoting the development of the organic food industry, including the National Agro-Food Policy, Third National Agriculture Policy and the 10th Malaysia Plan. Still, the governments efforts seem futile without proper implementation plans and, crucially, without peoples willingness to join the industry.

A few decades ago, India was also far behind in adopting organic farming for various reasons but it achieved rapid growth and has now become one of the worlds largest organic food and beverage producers. The country could serve as a model for Malaysia to succeed in organic farming with the advent of various advanced technologies.

We would also have to remove obstacles to developing the organic food industry here, including the lack of incentives to go organic, the lack of public interest in the quality of natural products, and heightened scepticism among farmers about embracing organic agriculture. Because of this attitude, farmers tend to overlook the fact that organic food can gain peoples confidence in food products because of its safety.

Another obstacle to increasing general acceptance of organic foods is their price they do appear to cost a lot more than traditionally produced foods, typically appearing at premium prices in most supermarkets. Part of this is simply a matter of supply and demand; also, organic produce, meat and dairy often require more money than conventional products to grow unless the economies of scale come into the picture.

Various wellness websites and environment NGOs encourage people to shop at farmers markets, join food cooperatives and community-supported farms networks, purchase produce seasonally and compare prices at grocery stores, farmers markets, online and elsewhere to manage their spending on organic food.

Apart from this, the government should review organic farming policies on an ongoing basis and shift the paradigm to ensure that the organic food industry becomes a growth engine for Malaysias agricultural sector. Comprehensive strategies and collaboration from producers and marketers are needed to gain public cooperation and trust to ensure the industrys success.

FARHAN KAMARULZAMAN

Emir Research

Note: Emir Research is a think tank focused on research-based policy recommendations.

See more here:
A green engine of growth - The Star Online

Maison Jacynthe founder Jacynthe Ren.Handout / Maison Jacynthe

Maison Jacynthe is more than just a beauty brand to founder Jacynthe Ren.

Its a lifestyle.

Offering a comprehensive collection of skincare, home products and newly added makeup, the Quebec-based company aims to offer quality and performance without any chemicals.

We recently caught up with Ren to learn more.

Q. For those who arent familiar, what is Maison Jacynthe?

A. Maison Jacynthe is, first and foremost, a lifestyle. Its a way of living in harmony with natures intelligence. Its a vegan and all-natural way to cherish and love oneself and find inner harmony with all-natural ingredients.

We offer a wide range of skincare, homecare, makeup, perfume and nutrition products where natures beauty and wellness meet.

Q. When and why did you start the brand?

A. The desire was first to share. In 2013, prior to launching our Maison Jacynthe products, I launched JMagazine; an online platform for all-natural beauty and wellness practices where I shared the tips and tricks beauty regimens, recipes, etc. that I had learned and implemented over the years which greatly increased my overall well-being.

Around that time, I was interviewing an owner of a natural, organic skincare company and I asked if the products were edible. She looked at me, very surprised, and said Its better not to ingest them. I remember thinking, we are supposed to be able to eat our cosmetics. Our skin absorbs the ingredients. The idea to develop my own natural skincare line then began to form, as I had already been using at-home natural oil formulas that I had developed during my first pregnancy, when I was 30 years old. In 2014, after 11 years of enjoying these qualities and benefits for myself, I decided it was time to share my beauty tips and launched four products and it just took off from there.

Q. What makes it unique from other beauty/skincare brands?

A. All of our treatments & cosmetics are created to respect the skins integrity and have been conceived for those living a healthy, balanced lifestyle. We only use active and all-natural ingredients of the highest quality, no filling ingredients or petroleum derivatives that block pores, no common conservation agents, and no artificial fragrances that irritate the skin. All of our essential oils are pure and reliably sourced, and all of our plant oils are virgin. Every step of our production and packaging is made without compromise and without waste.

Q. Who is the target customer?

A. At first, our target customer was largely the young mother who recognizes the importance of natural products to promote a healthy lifestyle for herself and her family. In the last year-and-a-half, weve noticed a surge of consumers in their early 20s that seek out vegan and all-natural products. Its really amazing to see that these younger people are seeking out healthy and natural alternatives and are committed to leading a healthy lifestyle at such a young age.

Q. Where are the products developed/made?

A. All of our skincare treatments are developed and made in our own lab in Quebec. Our tonics are made in partner labs in Quebec. Our makeup is conceptualized here and made in Milano.

Q. Is there a hero product in the range? If so, which one, and what makes it so popular?

A. Our Rose Trio everyday beauty ritual is our hero product. It consists of our Cleansing Oil, which purifies the skin and removes makeup; Rose Floral Water, invigorating, slightly astringent, firming, moisturizing and anti-wrinkle; and our Rose Serum, which protects and regenerates your skin. This has been my go-to everyday beauty ritual for the last 17 years, ever since I was pregnant with my first child. In fact, the Rose Trio is the first skincare treatment we launched on our website.

Q. What is the price range for Maison Jacynthe products?

A. Our products typically range from $10 to $150. We want our products to be accessible to all, which is why our pricing is competitive and typically lower than other all-natural beauty and wellness brands, while still ensuring we use only the highest quality ingredients.

Q. Lastly, where can people check them out?

A. You can find all our products on Maisonjacynthe.ca. We ship worldwide. If youre based in Quebec, you can also visit any of our 6 Maison Jacynthe Homes where we sell our products, have a bistro section where you can indulge in our juices and salads, as well as salons where you can book appointments for Maison Jacynthe skincare treatments with our specialists.

Aharris@postmedia.com

Read more here:
Style Q&A: Canadian natural beauty brand Maison Jacynthe is a 'lifestyle' - The Province

New York, July 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Sports Nutrition Market: Consumer Behavior Analysis by Countries, Buying Pattern Analysis, Demographics, Trends Analysis, Survey Findings and Results, Leading Companies and their Market Strategies" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05927306/?utm_source=GNW

The report also provides insights into the marketing strategies and steps taken by the companies to retain their market position in the local as well as global market. The study also provides insights into the factors affecting the buying decisions, consumer preferences, and the demographic factors promoting the growth of the products of the global sports nutrition market.

The global sports nutrition market size was valued at USD 56,800 million in 2019 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 6.32% in terms of value during the forecast period. The sports nutrition market is going through a major transformation, muscling its way out of its athlete-focused niche into the mainstream. The mainstreaming of sports nutrition has pushed the category into new directions. As the consumer base evolves, manufacturers are changing their approach to address the diverse needs of serious athletes, as well as active lifestyle consumers. Manufacturers are connecting with active lifestyle consumers by showing them how the product fits into their daily lives as part of a healthy lifestyle. They are highlighting more moderate fitness activities, such as jogging, hiking, or yoga. Manufacturers are offering products in a variety of delivery formats to expand their reach due to the on-the-go consumption patterns of active lifestyle consumers. Consumers prefer the convenience of gels or ready-to-drink beverages.

The increasing concern about physical well-being is a major growth driver for the sports nutrition market. Sports nutrition plays a key role in optimizing the beneficial effects of physical activity of a bodybuilder, a professional athlete in training. It helps to improve performance, injury prevention, and quicker recovery. Sports nutrition helps to maintain physical well-being such as muscle health, weight management through increased satiety, and a slowing of age-related muscle loss. Sports nutrition has become increasingly mainstream over the past decade as interest in health, fitness, and wellbeing has grown.

The United States, Canada, and China among top markets for sports nutrition Figure 1. Global Sports Nutrition Market by Country, 2018 (Revenue % Share)

The U.S. is the largest sports nutrition consuming nation as it holds more than 60% market share of North America sports nutrition market and 29% market share of the global sports nutrition market. The factors such as increasing health awareness, healthy lifestyle, rising number of health clubs and fitness centers, and changing consumer preferences for nutritional products are the key growth drivers for the in this country. China holds an approximately 10% market share of the global sports nutrition market followed by Canada, Germany, and Japan. China sports nutrition market generated USD 5503.82 million in 2019 owing to the Chinese consumers interest in sports and wellness, especially among young.

Figure 2. Source of an Advice to Use Sports Nutritions

The analyst has published a comprehensive research study based on a survey conducted to analyze the buying patterns, consumer behavior, and consumer preferences. The above figure shows the source of advice to use sports nutrition given to the consumer before consuming sports nutrition. The majority of consumers got advice from the gym/health center to use sports nutrition which is highest than other sources. After the gym/health center, friends are the second-largest source from which consumers got advice to use sports nutrition. About 17% of consumers got advice from their health adviser to use sports nutrition.

Among the regions, North America dominates the global sports nutrition market. It holds more than 40% market share of the global sports nutrition market. The U.S. is the largest consumer of sports nutrition as it holds a 29% market share of the global sports nutrition market. Canada is the fastest-growing market for sports nutrition in the North America region. Europe is a second-largest market for sports nutrition followed by the Asia Pacific. The rise in obesity and an increase in the number of health centers & fitness clubs are driving the growth of the market in Europe. Growing demand among bodybuilders and athletes for various types of energy drinks and dietary supplements are the major driving factors for the Asia Pacific sports nutrition market.

Research Methodology

Primary Research Our primary research involves extensive interviews and analysis of the opinions provided by the primary respondents. The primary research starts with identifying and approaching the primary respondents, the primary respondents are approached through Key Opinion Leaders associated Internal and External subject matter experts Professionals and participants from LinkedIn, Hoovers, Factiva and Bloggers Our primary research respondents typically include Executives working with leading companies in the market under review Product/brand/marketing managers CXO level executives Regional/zonal/ country managers Vice President level executives.

Methods of Primary Research Computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) Computer-assisted personal interview (CAPI) Computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) Questionnaires/Surveys

Secondary Research Secondary research involves extensive exploring through the secondary sources of information available in both the public domain and paid sources. Each research study is based on over 500 hours of secondary research accompanied by primary research. The information obtained through the secondary sources are validated through the crosscheck on various data sources. The secondary sources of the data typically include Company reports and publications Government/institutional publications Trade and associations journals Databases such as WTO (World Trade Organization), OECD (The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), Hoovers, Factiva, and the World Bank, among others. Websites and publications by research agenciesRead the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05927306/?utm_source=GNW

About ReportlinkerReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

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Global Sports Nutrition Market: Consumer Behavior Analysis by Countries, Buying Pattern Analysis, Demographics, Trends Analysis, Survey Findings and...