“Hurkle-durkling” is in, along with gut health and floor time.
I’m Dani Blum, a reporter on the Well desk, filling in for Jancee Dunn today. Part of my job is making sense of the endless array of wellness trends that take over the internet. Some days, that means chasing down the answers to age-old questions; other days, I’m investigating new products.
As we slip into summer, and the second half of the year, let’s look back at the health trends that have defined 2024 so far.
Water, water, everywhere
The water wars are here, and they are vicious — thanks, #Watertok. There’s a fierce online community extolling the benefits of hydration and igniting debates over just how much water people need to drink each day and whether plain old H2O is enough.
So how — and how often — should you refill your water bottle? There’s no one right answer for everyone, and most people can stay hydrated by just reaching for water when they feel thirsty. But watch out for the black gunk that can collect at the bottom of your water bottle — if you’re wondering if that’s mold, the answer (sorry) is yes.
Gut health gets a glow up
Products that claim to heal and hack your gut have become a staple of wellness culture. In 2024, the gut has gotten a glow up: Pastel cans of prebiotic sodas have popped up on store shelves; the microbiome has gone mainstream; and people are adding apple cider vinegar into their drinks, hoping to cure acid reflux.
Amid all the hype, gastroenterologists want to clarify a few things: namely, that there are ways to help the gut, but few are trendy. Eat plenty of fiber, limit processed foods and lower stress to keep your belly happy and healthy.