Leading experts reveal what's hot for the season
TORONTO, May 21, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) today announced the top five trends Canadians should look for this summer at their local health food store. Summer is around the corner and Canadians are eager for the insider scoop on this summer's new, effective ways to stay cool, hydrated and healthy naturally. Throughout the spring, CHFA reached out to top natural health experts across Canada to gather their insights on the many exciting trends in natural health.
"Summer heat and seasonal changes put new stresses on our body's systems," says CHFA president Helen Long. "Leading experts helped us find new, exciting, natural solutions that we are pleased to share with Canadians across the country to help them get the most out of summer."
The top five trends are:
Trend Number One: Natural Hydration
The first choice for summer 2014 hydration is a new beverage that's close to home: maple water. Spring is maple syrup season, when maple farmers across the country tap their trees and boil down the sap to make maple syrup. What many Canadians do not know is, in its purest form, maple sap is an effective summer hydrator. Filled with minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium and manganese, this low calorie beverage can provide energy without spiking your blood sugar. Other natural healthy alternatives include coconut water, kombucha or making your own fruit infused water to stay hydrated this season.
Trend Number Two: Natural Skin Care
Opting for a sunscreen that contains zinc-oxide and titanium-dioxide in the ingredient list is a must this summer, especially when choosing one for your kids. When applied, these metals lay on the surface of the skin without being absorbed, and reflect potentially damaging UVA and UVB rays. For after-sun protection, the focus is on Aloe Vera and vitamin E creams, as both are excellent natural options to help soothe the pain caused by sun burns. Keeping your body's internal defenses stocked with anti-oxidant supplements like carotenoids, Vitamin C and Vitamin E can also help to protect your skin against sun damage.
Trend Number Three: Ultimate Summer Supplements
The hottest supplements to watch for on the shelves of your local natural health retailer this summer include omega-3s and Astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is a supplement naturally derived from a pink carotenoid antioxidant found in algae. According to holistic pharmacist Sherry Torkos, "Astaxanthin has been clinically studied for helping to protect against wrinkles, redness, and UV damage." Natural health experts also raved about anti-oxidants Vitamin C and Vitamin E, all of which help your body respond to the harsh effects of UV radiation resulting from sun exposure. If you are currently on medications, or taking other natural health products, speak with your health care practitioner about which supplements are right for you.
Trend Number Four: Label Literacy
Canadians are increasingly demanding simple, transparent labelling. "Many manufacturers are leading the way and saying 'we believe in truth in labeling and we are going to self-declare what all the ingredients are in the product,'" said Matthew James, chair of CHFA's Board of Directors and President of Purity Life Health Products LP. Canadians should look out for labels like the Canadian Organic Symbol that tells you at a glance that the ingredients used are obtained from certified organic sources.
Trend Number Five: Summer Superfoods for Natural Health
"This summer's trendiest super food is going to be watermelon," says Nutrition Journalist and gluten-free expert, Kathy Smart. "It is extremely hydrating and provides a lot of important minerals. Expect to see it in people's water bottles, salads and frozen into popsicles." Watermelon is also a great source of lycopene, a potent antioxidant pigment that gives the watermelon its rich colour, with a growing list of benefits from prostate to skin health. Other delicious and healthy summer superfoods range from seaweed snacks and healthy bars, to anything and everything coconut.
For the full details on the top five natural health trends for summer, Canadians should visit their local health food store or chfa.ca.
About CHFA
The Canadian Health Food Association is Canada's largest national trade association dedicated to the natural health and organic products industry. The association represents manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, distributors and importers of natural health and organic products, including foods, vitamin and mineral supplements, herbal products, homeopathics, sports nutrition products, fibres and health and beauty aids. With a membership of over 1,000 business owners and operators across the country, CHFA represents an industry that contributes $6 billion to the Canadian economy.
Video with caption: "Video: Industry experts and CHFA Members share the top five summer trends in natural health from this year's CHFA West trade show held in Vancouver". Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfBcF75SuuY
Image with caption: "CHFA's top picks for natural hydration for summer 2014 include coconut water, maple water and kombucha. For tips on how to stay hydrated and healthy this summer visit chfa.ca (CNW Group/Canadian Health Food Association)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140521_C9116_PHOTO_EN_40572.jpg
Image with caption: "We can all be sun-smart this summer, with natural, mineral-based sunscreens. Don't forget to look for great new after-sun products with Aloe vera and vitamin E. For more tips on how to protect and sooth your skin naturally visit chfa.ca (CNW Group/Canadian Health Food Association)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140521_C9116_PHOTO_EN_40575.jpg
Image with caption: "This summer, head to your local natural health food store to find the hottest natural health products designed to help you remain naturally radiant. For more information on the top natural health solutions for summer2014 visit chfa.ca (CNW Group/Canadian Health Food Association)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140521_C9116_PHOTO_EN_40574.jpg
Image with caption: "Canadians are increasingly demanding simple, transparent labelling. This summer, CHFA is encouraging Canadians to look for labels like the Canadian Organic Symbol that tells you the ingredients used are obtained from certified organic sources. For more information on labels, visit chfa.ca. (CNW Group/Canadian Health Food Association)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140521_C9116_PHOTO_EN_40573.jpg
Image with caption: "Natural health experts suggest this summer's trendiest super food is going to be watermelon. It is extremely hydrating and provides many important minerals. To learn about more delicious summer super foods, visit chfa.ca. (CNW Group/Canadian Health Food Association)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140521_C9116_PHOTO_EN_40576.jpg
SOURCE: Canadian Health Food Association
Beatrice Bastedo
Merkato Communications
(416) 915-4408 ext. 103
[email protected]
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