As a bulk of offices, schools, and restaurants remain closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, anxious consumers are reaching for plant-based meat, turmeric tea, and supplements more than ever, according to a new survey.
A report from Brightfield Group, a research firm with a focus on emerging markets, found that consumers concerned about COVID are becoming more conscious, choosing "real" food ingredients and buying specific items that will boost their immunity, such as vitamins B12 and D and turmeric tea to stay healthy as the pandemic continues to ravage the globe.
The survey showed that people most affected by coronavirus were users aged 40 years of age and those suffering from digestive problems, chronic pain, or diabetes. These same consumers are seeking items that boost heart health, digestive health, and immunity.
Millennials, on the other hand, indicated that they were less worried by the virus and more concerned with money when they shop, likely due to the economic stress they experience. According to recent polls, 65% of Gen-Zs say they want to adopt a more "plant-forward" diet, while 54% of Millennials consume more plant-based diets and call themselves flexitarians.
And yet, plant-based meat has been trendy since it began to appear in grocery stores and restaurants.
Consumers, investors, influencers, and the media were engrossed in items that looked, browned and "bled" like meat, but were made from plants. And the trend has since been studied.
According to a survey conducted by the International Food Information Council in February 2020, 41% of consumers have chosen to eat plant-based meat because they want to try new foods.
In another IFIC report, which centered on contrasting plant-based and animal products, 45% of shoppers believed that a plant-based food was better than ground beef based on the Nutrition Facts label. In the annual IFIC Food and Health Survey published in June 2020, 43% said that a product with a "plant-based" definition will be the healthiest out of many choices.
Despite the split, all users are seeking to alleviate stress and boost general health by maintaining a good lifestyle, taking regular walks, and enjoying time in nature, research has shown. They also give priority to getting more sleep and choosing social media rather than meeting up to communicate with friends.
