2025 Health Trends: What We Learned and How to Build a Stronger Foundation for 2026
As 2025 comes to a close, the health and wellness landscape reflects a year of evolving priorities, increased scientific scrutiny, and growing interest in personalized, evidence-based care. From women’s exercise physiology to nutrition trends and emerging wellness technologies, this past year provided valuable insights into what supports long-term health, and what may be more hype than help.
Below, we review key health trends from 2025, examine the science behind them, and highlight practical ways to apply these lessons as you plan for a healthier 2026.
Women’s Health and Fitness | Moving Beyond One-Size-Fits-All Guidance
In recent years, the limitations of applying male-centric exercise and nutrition research to women have become increasingly clear. Throughout 2025, greater attention was given to sex-specific physiology, particularly hormonal differences that influence training, recovery, and metabolism.
Exercise physiologist Dr. Stacy Sims has been a leading voice in this conversation, emphasizing that women are not simply “smaller versions of men.” Research increasingly supports the idea that women may respond differently to fasting, training intensity, and recovery strategies due to hormonal fluctuations across a monthly cycle (source).
Evidence-Based Takeaways for Women’s Fitness
Current research and expert consensus suggest several important considerations:
- Intermittent fasting and fasted training may not be appropriate for many women, as they can elevate cortisol levels and negatively affect energy balance and recovery.
- Varying training intensity, alternating high-intensity and low-intensity workouts, may better support performance and recovery.
- Regular strength training (approximately three sessions per week) is associated with improved bone density, metabolic health, and neuromuscular function, particularly as women approach midlife.
Understanding individual patterns, rather than following generalized trends, can help women train more effectively while supporting long-term health.
Menopause and Perimenopause | A More Informed Conversation
Another significant shift in 2025 was the broader public understanding of perimenopause, the transitional phase preceding menopause. Research confirms that hormonal changes may begin years before menopause itself, often accompanied by symptoms affecting sleep, mood, metabolism, and overall quality of life.
This growing awareness has helped reduce stigma and encouraged women to seek education, support, and individualized approaches during this life stage. Lifestyle strategies such as stress management, nutrition, physical activity, and targeted supplementation may help support wellness during perimenopause and beyond.
Natural supplements like Fibrovera are formulated to help support hormonal balance during perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. You can also explore our Women’s Health Collection for additional wellness support.
Related reading:
Supporting Women’s Wellness in Every Phase of Life – Arthur Andrew Medical
Heat Therapy and Sauna Use | What Research Shows
Interest in thermal therapies, including traditional and infrared saunas, continued to rise in 2025. Scientific literature increasingly suggests that regular sauna use may offer cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological benefits.
According to reviews published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings and UCLA Health, sauna bathing has been associated with:
- Reduced cardiovascular risk
- Improved blood pressure
- Enhanced circulation
- Relaxation and stress reduction
Infrared saunas, which heat the body directly rather than warming ambient air, may provide similar benefits at lower temperatures, potentially improving tolerability for some individuals.
Pro Tip: Infrared saunas are heated by light, which increases your body temperature without heating the ambient air. A primary benefit of infrared is that the sweating and increased heart rate are achieved at lower temps, a benefit for those who can’t stand the heat of regular saunas (source).
Sauna Safety Considerations
Saunas are generally safe for most healthy adults when used appropriately. Key safety guidelines include:
- Maintaining adequate hydration
- Limiting sessions to 10–20 minutes
- Avoiding alcohol use before or after sauna sessions
Source: UCLA Health
Weighted Vests | A Trend with Limited Evidence
Weighted vests gained popularity in 2025 as a purported tool for improving strength, bone density, and cardiovascular fitness. However, current research does not strongly support these claims.
According to reporting by NPR, evidence remains limited, and improperly used weighted vests may increase injury risk due to joint and muscle strain. Traditional resistance training, using appropriate loads through full ranges of motion, remains the most effective strategy for building strength and supporting bone health.
Balancing Benefits and Risks of Protein Intake
High-protein diets continued to dominate wellness conversations in 2025. Protein plays a critical role in muscle maintenance, tissue repair, immune function, and metabolic regulation. However, optimal intake varies based on age, activity level, and overall health.
Harvard Health Publishing suggests that excessive protein intake, particularly from sources high in saturated fat, may increase the risk of kidney stones and cardiovascular disease. Moderation and diversity of protein sources remain key.
For individuals increasing protein intake, digestive support may be beneficial. Proteolytic enzymes, such as those found in Aminolase, are designed to assist in protein breakdown and amino acid absorption as part of a balanced nutritional approach.
Telehealth and Expanding Access to Care
Telehealth continued its rapid expansion in 2025, offering greater accessibility to healthcare services. According to Telehealth.org, global telemedicine use is projected to grow significantly through 2030, driven by advancements in wearable technology, chronic disease management, and insurance coverage changes.
While virtual care does not replace all in-person evaluations, it has become an important component of modern healthcare delivery.
Building Sustainable Health in 2026
The health trends of 2025 underscore an important lesson: sustainable wellness is built on evidence, personalization, and consistency rather than short-term fads.
As research continues to evolve, Arthur Andrew Medical remains committed to providing education and science-informed formulations designed to support health across all stages of life.
We look forward to continuing this journey with you in 2026, grounded in research, guided by evidence, and focused on long-term wellness.
References
Harvard Health Publishing – Protein: How Much Is Too Much?
Mayo Clinic Proceedings – Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing
UCLA Health – Benefits of Sauna Bathing
NPR – Weighted Vests and Fitness Trends
Mel Robbins Podcast – Episode 275
AAM Links
https://arthurandrew.com/products/fibrovera
https://arthurandrew.com/blogs/education/supporting-women-s-wellness-in-every-phase-of-life
