NEW DELHI: Health has finally become larger than life thanks to
rising awareness and growing consciousness among people. This has created a
big niche for products that can enable freedom from stress, aroma-treatment
and a well-planned balanced diet.
The revolution is unprecedented, not only for the end users but also for
businesses that are stepping in to satisfy this burgeoning need of the
consumers.
The need has been fuelled by wellness centers that have an important role to
play in providing right counseling. They have been providing a holistic
experience, helping people chart out a daily food plan, suggesting
calorie-nutrient-balanced diet chart and spreading awareness regarding
values of common foods and related therapies for stress management.
And building on this awareness, a wide range of products are flooding the
market and giving the customer choice of health products. One can walk out
with a healthy selection from a range of organic foods, edible oils, spices,
condiments and healthy snacks.
"We are a nutrition destination store and not just a neighborhood store.
Apart from our specialties in with slimming, de-stressing and wellness, we
are also into retail venture with Fortis Health care. We provide a bohemian
yet chic ambiance to our clients," says Sanjay Tiwari, Food Safety Expert
with Wellness Q.E.D.
Many other retail giants like Reliance Retail are also joining hands with
wellness experts.
Delhi-based Wellness Q.E.D houses a wide range of products like
Gluten-free-casein-free (GFCF) properties. "Our lounge has the widest
possible range with price starting from Rs. 70 for gluten-free flour,
imported rice and corn pasta for Rs. 160, imported pancake mix for Rs. 270",
adds Sanjay.
Apart from this, one can even fetch 300 varieties of nutritional supplements
at QED for prices beginning Rs. 110.
"The idea of wellness has been clearly understood by the elite class of
population for sometime now. However, organic foods are a new concept in the
market and a rapidly growing one too," says Organic India's Saurabh Tiwari.
Organic products protect us from toxic and chemical induced diseases while
nourishing our bodies to promote good health! Science says fresh organic
produce contains many more vitamins, minerals and enzymes than a normal
diet!
This is in contrast to the Non-organic food that only appears to be cheaper,
but it costs not just our health, but our farmland, our eco-systems and
taxes to pay for the disasters that chemical farming creates.
Dr. Ritika Samaddar of Max Healthcare believes, "With the range of health
foods available in the market, people coming to my OPD are increasingly
getting conscious towards living healthy. They have already started eating
healthy (preventive health food) to develop immunity. After all prevention
is better than cure."
The organic foods like 'Gluten-free food' that prevent 'Coeliac disease' or
Soya food usually prescribed for elderly women or the recent concept of
'Seeds of life' that are rich in anti-oxidants are getting popular day by
day. However, it is suggested, that any such intake must be in consultation
with a dietician or nutritionist.
"Though these foods are supplements and not substitutes, it can be taken by
healthy people to prevent problems. Our experience tells us that people
above the age of 30 are drawn more towards consuming supplement foods to
tackle the ill-effects of a sedentary life-style and work pressures",
believes Dr. Ritika.
Chemical farming has led to dramatic erosion of the soil, killing off whole
species of birds and near extinction of some of endangered wildlife! Organic
food implies that the food is neither genetically modified nor genetically
engineered and also it's safe!
In addition to food, there is an array of aroma therapies that are fast
catching up with health freaks. It is interesting to note the range of
Citronella garden candles that act as mosquito repellent, soothing aroma
candles like lavender or lemon-grass that range from Rs 50 onwards in the
market. And there are distress therapies that can start at your head and end
at the toes.
And the 25 blends of organic and herbal teas that act as natural remedies
for various health conditions and ailments has come as good news for tea
drinkers.
It is interesting to note that wellness as a concept has had an applauding
response from the corporate as well. Many workplace wellness programs are
been launched by companies that are making a conscious effort to ensure a
healthy work-life balance for their employees.
Jyotsna Mishra, an executive working in Noida is happy to avail some of the
herbal products at her cafeteria. "We are offered organic Tulsi tea; herbal
tea enriched with honey in our office premises. The best thing is it comes
to us like a breather as we get corporate discounts on some herbal products
as well", cheers Jyotsna.
India seems to have developed a complete ecosystem of health freaks and
retailers who are ready to service their needs and
aspirations. Signs of 'healthy' business these!
