The vagus nerve influences nearly every internal organ. Can it improve our mental state, too? – The New York Times, June 2, 2022 The vagus nerve has become an object of fascination, especially on social media (TikTok videos with the hashtag “#vagusnerve” have been viewed more than 64 million times). The vagal nerve fibers, which run all the way from the brain to the abdomen, have…
The “Wellness Divide” between Low- and High-Income Countries Will Further Sharpen By Thierry Malleret, economist As the International Monetary Fund’s managing director, Kristalina Georgieva, just put it: the global economy is facing “a confluence of calamities.” The three main engines that drive it are sputtering simultaneously. In the European Union, because of the war and the supply shock inflicted by commodity prices; in China, because…
Looking Beyond COVID: The Shifts Ahead in the Physical Activity and Fitness Markets The GWI’s most recent research report on the global wellness economy includes a complete update on the six-sector physical activity market: fitness ($77 billion), sports and active recreation ($200 billion), mindful movement ($30 billion), fitness technology ($49.5 billion), sports and fitness equipment ($105 billion), and sports apparel and footwear ($293 billion). It…
What Dinner Will Look Like in the Next 100 Years, According to Scientists (and Sci-Fi Authors)Rejuvenation of woman’s skin could tackle diseases of ageing – Bon Appétit, April 26, 2022 The food industry is preparing for major disruptions to come, brought on by forces such as climate change and changing demographics. The resultant innovation is widespread, and concerns seeds, farming practices, technology, water, distribution, and…
Russia’s Aggression Stoking a Global Food Crisis and Major ‘Wellbeing Inequality’ Issue By Thierry Malleret, economist Russia’s aggression is stoking a major global food crisis which hurts disproportionately the poorest nations and the poorest people. The conflict is constraining production and supplies in the Black Sea breadbasket region (which accounts for about a quarter of all grain trades) and is wreaking havoc on food and…
Asia’s $1.5 Trillion Wellness Economy Shrank the Least During the Pandemic The GWI’s recent research report ranks 150 countries by their annual wellness spend. It also measures every global region’s spend and recent growth rates. The report finds that Asia-Pacific is the world’s largest wellness market ($1.5 trillion), followed by North America ($1.3 trillion) and Europe ($1.1 trillion). Asia’s wellness market simply has the…
