The wellness renaissance

Ayurveda, fasting, and fitness collide as India's wellness economy skyrockets—where ancient wisdom drives modern demand

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showing benefits for insulin resistance, common in India. Yet, concerns arose in 2024 about heart risks from extreme IF, prompting a shift towards moderated versions.

Collagen supplements represent a newer wave, exploding in the 2020s. Valued at USD 70.31 million in 2025, the Indian collagen market is set to reach USD 104.48 million by 2030, growing at 8.24 per cent CAGR. Introduced around 2015 via beauty influencers, collagen gained momentum post-pandemic for skin health, joint support, and anti-ageing. Vegan alternatives surged due to India's vegetarian population, with gummies and powders blending into smoothies. This trend picked up rapidly among urban women, driven by e-commerceandcelebrity promotions, evolving from niche imports to local brands.

Amid these shifts, balanced diets have reemerged as a counter to fads. Traditional Indian thalis that feature diverse grains, vegetables, and proteins will always align with sustainable eating, emphasising whole foods over restrictions. While fad diets like keto or mindless IF promise rapid results, I will always highlight their unsustainability, with many Indians reverting to balanced approaches for long-term health, which also makes them feel happy. Meals high in millets and pulses, declining in the 2010s due to Westernisation, are reviving themselves as 'superfoods.'

Constants in this evolution include Ayurveda and yoga, timeless pillars of Indian wellness. Ayurveda, with its dosha-based personalisation, has integrated into modern spas and apps, maintaining relevance for holistic healing. Yoga, practiced by millions, evolved from spiritual roots to global fitness, with India's wellness tourism drawing internationals. These endure as cultural anchors, blending with trends like ayurvedic collagen teas.