March 24, 2025
Seoul -Ha Sang-Hee, a lady in her 30s, frequently shares photographs of her selfmade meals on the social media platform X.
Their dishes always exclude white rice, processed meals and sauces strongly flavored, an option to which it refers because the “gradual weight loss plan”. To totally take pleasure in meals with out these substances, experiment with recipes and share your profitable on-line creations.
“(After eight months within the weight loss plan), I really feel that my resistance and my immunity have improved, and I’m taking good care of myself. This has helped stabilize my thoughts and shake unfavourable ideas,” Ha mentioned.
She shouldn’t be alone. Many others observe the identical weight loss plan.
Some 58,000 individuals, together with HA, share their experiences of gradual ageing weight loss plan in an X group. As Ha, many members are between 20 and 30 years outdated.
The “gradual ageing” of the style phrase refers to a life-style centered on extending helpful life by good habits whereas minimizing bodily and psychological stress.
As a key a part of this idea, the gradual ageing weight loss plan emphasizes the avoidance of excessive substances in fat and excessive glycemic, which might emphasize the physique.
The time period has not too long ago gained generalized recognition in Korea, evolving from a development of social networks amongst younger customers to a broader generational motion.
Firstly of the 2020s, many Korean shoppers hugged daring flavors in meals corresponding to Tteokbokki and Malatang, believing that these dishes helped relieve stress. Nonetheless, there was a drastic change after the continual efforts of Dr. Jung Hee-Gained, professor of geriatric medication on the Asan Medical Heart in Seoul and the chief of the gradual ageing group of which he’s half.
Since 2024, Dr. Jung has actively promoted wholesome way of life choices on social networks, notably in X. His on-line affect grew to become “gradual ageing” right into a viral meme, which earned him the nickname of “Professor Gradual-Aing”, which has been acknowledged extra extensively than his actual identify.
Initially, he caught consideration to unconventional meals mixtures, corresponding to including lentils and ice to Ramyeon whereas discarding the soup. Nonetheless, its steady protection has inspired extra folks to undertake their dietary strategy.
Because the gradual weight loss plan beneficial properties impulse past social networks, the primary meals corporations are climbing on board.
Korea 7-Eleven and the primary meals producer CJ Cheiljang has launched merchandise impressed by gradual ageing primarily based on Dr. Jung’s recipes. These merchandise have combined or integral grains, diminished salt and a better proportion of greens.
“We found that lunchboxes and meals able to eat created in collaboration with Professor Jung proceed to be extensively talked about on-line. A lot of the revisions come from millennials and era Z, which cowl from adolescents to adults of simply over 40 years,” mentioned a Seven Korean official (7-Eleven Korea operator). The official added that these merchandise stay among the many finest categorized gadgets within the cellular utility of the franchise, even months after the launch.
In the meantime, GS25, one other giant chain of comfort shops, launched semi -polished rice in February, after an interannual improve of 60.7 % in combined grain gross sales the earlier month.
“Meals lineups at the moment are diversifying to serve shoppers attracted by the tendency of gradual ageing. These new merchandise can entice extra consumers and additional increase the health-centered meals market,” mentioned Lee Eun-Hee, professor of shopper sciences on the College of Inha.
Extra well-liked amongst youthful generations
A exceptional facet of the tendency of gradual ageing is its robust attraction for youthful generations, which have centered much less on wholesome consuming than older adults. Up to now, Korean meals traits favored creamy and candy desserts, however that is altering.
This variation is partly attributed to the lively presence of Dr. Jung in social networks, in addition to the endorsements of the influent youtubers and celebrities which have launched the tendency to the youngest public.
Nonetheless, surveys point out a normal tendency of individuals aged 20 and 30, placing a better emphasis on well being.
In line with a market researcher, Febrain Trendmonitor, the proportion of 20 and 30 -year -old respondents who reported efforts to take care of their well being elevated to 55 % and 49.5 %, respectively, in 2024, in comparison with 30.eight % and 32 % in 2016.
Particularly, these age teams now present the best curiosity in well being administration after 60 years, in comparison with having the slightest curiosity in 2016.
A number of analyzes discover the rising well being consciousness of youthful generations.
The meals business factors to a rise within the social strategy to well being after Covid-19 pandemic as a motive for the rising consciousness of well being. As well as, some recommend that the robust improve in weight problems and circumstances of diabetes between people of their 20 years has contributed to this transformation.
In line with Chul Chul, professor of shopper financial system on the College of Girls Sookmyung, the gradual ageing motion aligns with the evolutionary habits of the buyer of Korea.
“As their common earnings will increase, Koreans search greater than having fun with consumption. Motivated by self -care and self -esteem, they discover better satisfaction in well being spending, which matches past reaching a lovely physique,” Choi mentioned.
He added that this “self -love” mentality is especially robust amongst youthful generations, and social networks have performed an important function within the dissemination of the development.
“The emergence of the acutely aware content material of well being on social networks, mixed with the rising self -care motion, has most likely accelerated the unfold of well being traits amongst youthful Koreans,” he added.