UFC fighters are some of the fittest people in the sporting world. They need to be razor-sharp, stay in shape, and make weight without letting it affect their health. Their bodies are immaculately sculpted and they engage in intense training as they need to be at their peak for a maximum of 25 minutes. While we get to see awe-inspiring videos of fighters training and working out, they rarely reveal their food habits.

Diet is an important component for the fighters, as food goes hand in hand with training. It certainly wouldnt bode well to eat snacks and sugary foods as these will make any athlete lethargic. It will also not provide them with whats required to help them recover from their intense workouts sessions.

In a chat with GQ, Anderson Silva says he tries to eat a well-balanced diet. I dont eat sugar, I cut bad carbs, salt alcohol and I try to drink more water these days than I did then.

A UFC website article says, foods that are energy-packed will help fuel your body to train harder and recover better. These components include carbohydrates, protein, healthy sources of fats, fruits and vegetables, and fluids.

It breaks each element down. This provides readers with information to make an informed decision regarding their diet.

Carbs are foods rich in energy and are mainly consumed during the in-season when calorie and carbohydrate needs are at their highest. This is the principle fuel source needed by athletes for their high-intensity workouts. Anderson Silva avoids the bad carbs. However, Khabib Nurmagomedov consumes a carb rich diet, as it helps him be at his peak for 5 full rounds.

As per a Live Strong article, carbohydrates are important as they help fighters recover after weight cuts. They are also useful when fighters drop weight to compete at a lower weight class.

Read: What Fuels a Champion? Check Out Khabib Nurmagomedovs Diet

A Sport Casting article says, if McGregor is put on a keto diet, then McGregor would be s*****d because he needs his carbs for energy.

UFC fighters are muscular and need to have an excellent amount of metabolism as making weight is half the fight. Also, they have to build muscle and ensure that they recover post their workouts. Proteins help an impressive deal here. Examples include eggs, chicken, turkey, sirloin, lean ground beef, fish, cheese, and tofu. Henry Cejudo had a balance of protein and carbs ahead of his UFC 218 training camp.

Fats are essential to help the fighters maintain immunity. They are also consumed when fighters are in off-season and engage in light workouts. Examples of fats include nuts, nut butter, seeds, olives, avocados, and oils. Fat-heavy diets are beneficial for off-season training as carbs or protein intake may be lower. Along with carbs, it also helps fighters increase weight once they are no longer content with being the kings of one division.

Following the weight gain, they switch their diet to include more proteins as they shape their body and get fighting fit at a new weight. In the Tweet, McGregor looks about the same, but has increased muscle mass. He had to eat fats to build up mass to make the conversion and compete at an optimum level.

The plate changes during pre-season and in-season, which is around the time a fight is announced. Moderate fats are advised during an in-season and a limited amount of fats are on the diet charts in off-season.

However, based on how the UFC athletes are lined up to compete at UFC 249, it seems as though the entire year is pre-season. As a result, they need a very short in-season.

Greens have antioxidant properties. During in-season, they are essential for adequate recovery and immune function. During the off-season, they sustain health, recovery, and body composition. The latter statement holds true for the period between weight cuts and the fight as well.

Fruits and vegetables offer vitamins, minerals, and most importantly, fibers. Some examples of this include spinach, carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, beans, and the carbs rich bananas.

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones is one of the most ripped fighters on the circuit. He recently switched to a 90% plant diet. It offers him vital nutrients and fuels him as he attempts to increase his record of most wins in title fights.

Fluids are most important during both the in-season and off-season. The lack of fluids results in a tired mind, which in turn results in a loss of intensity and laziness. Anderson Silva says, it helps my body absorb the nutrientsthat if I dont stay hydrated, it wont matter what I eat.

It shows us how crucial fluid intake is in the performance plate of any fighter or athlete. While it may seem repairable to us, the smallest misstep in a fighters diet can set them back days and undo a whole host of efforts.

It is important to vary the diet of the individual based on their personal requirements. The athletes have to ensure that they shouldnt go protein-heavy throughout.

A balanced diet is crucial to their conditioning. An Instagram post by Notorious shows him consuming a mixture of proteins, carbs, and greens, ahead of his return to the Octagon.

In the words of the article, performance plate will look different in season versus offseason. The proportions are outlined. However, every fighters diet needs to be different. It is a strict science which varies as per every fighters unique body, and unique requirements at the time.

No single plan will be effective for two separate fighters. UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman told Muscle and Fitness, Im extremely lean, and my body requires food that fuels the high level of endurance that fits my fighting style.

Bantamweight Champion Henry Cejudo may not consume as much as one of the higher weight fighters.

The article says, A lighter training day or rest day can include a plate with mostly vegetables and some fruits, about of the meal can be whole grains and roughly of the meal lean proteins.

In the buildup to a fight, the number of training sessions, sparring, and workouts may be much higher. To replenish their energy, the fighters must be on roughly of a meal with vegetables and some fruits, roughly of the plate or meal to be lean proteins and of the meal to be whole grains. Lower or higher portions of each component are dependent on the intensity of training for the day.

Hence, an ideal performance plate for the ideal UFC body depends upon personal requirements, as highlighted by examples of top fighters.

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Get The Perfect UFC Body- Here Are The Diets Revealed by Top UFC Fighters - Essentially Sports

There are many fruits that can help improve your health and well-being this season, and one of these is in the form of papaya. Known for its luscious, sweet and juicy taste and a soft, buttery consistency,this soft, pear-like tropical fruit was reputably called "the fruit of the angels" by Christopher Columbus. Although native to Central America, papaya is also present in many other subtropical lands, which include India, Southeast Asia (particularly in the Philippines where it is consumed as a snack or used an ingredient for many savory dishes) and parts of Africa.

Loaded with fiber as well as vitamins and minerals such as zinc and magnesium, papaya is good for your health all-year round. Here are the top reasons why you should include this fruit in your diet now:

Prevents Diabetes

Papaya helps prevent diabetes, which has become increasingly and alarmingly common. This tasty fruit is a great mix of sweet and healthy. Its sweet taste masks the fact that it has low sugar levels, therefore preventing your body's sugar levels from going higher. Papaya is also rich in dietary fibers, which help combat blood sugar spikes especially among diabetics.

Improves Your Vision

Consuming papayas regularly helps improve your vision. In fact, the fruit is packed with vitamin A, which is essential for eye health. It also protects your eyes from macular degeneration, an aging-related medical condition that results in blurring or complete loss of vision.

Good For Arthritis

Characterized by inflammation of one or more joints, arthritis can make you miss out on a lot of things later in life.

However, a papaya can help prevent that from happening to you. That is because it contains papain, an anti-inflammatory compound that reduces pain and stiffness in your bones. Also, regular papaya consumption can increase calcium in your body, thus strengthening your bones, and strong bones can help prevent arthritis especially at an old age.

Cures Menstrual Pain And Irregular Periods

Munching on papayas help deal with severe menstrual pain and irregular periods, particularly among women.

Papaya helps contract the uterus muscles, easing painful flow. It also contains carotene, a substance that helps regulate the hormone estrogen in the body, thereby inducing regular periods.

Boosts Your Immune System

Through their high amounts of vitamin C and antioxidants, papayas help boost your immune system, which is vital in reducing and eliminating the risk of various infections and diseases -- which include viruses such as the flu and the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Boosts Your Digestive System

Papayas are rich in fiber and water, both of which are vital for your digestive system. Specifically, they help ease bowel movement, keeping digestive issues such as diarrhea, nausea and constipation at bay.

Orange open papaya with black seeds, Moyen-Como, Abengourou, Ivory Coast on May 9, 2019 in Abengourou, Ivory Coast. Eric Lafforgue/Art in All of Us/Corbis via Getty Images

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Papaya Health Benefits: Top Reasons To Include This Fruit In Your Diet - Medical Daily

Heart attacks occur when the heart is starved of oxygen and blood. The blockage is most often a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances, which form a plaque in the arteries that feed the heart. This harmful process is called coronary heart disease (CHD).

Eating tofu and other soy-based foods with high levels of isoflavones was found to lower the risk of heart disease, according to a study conducted by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Isoflavones are part of a group of plant-based compounds called phytoestrogens.

The study, led by Qi Sun, associate professor in the Department of Nutrition, analysed data from more than 200,000 participants in existing health studies, including the Nurses Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.

The researcher found that those who ate tofu more than once a week lowered their risk of heart disease by 18 percent.

Read more:
Heart attack: Include this superfood in your diet to lower your risk - Express.co.uk

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Calcium is themost abundant mineral in the body. Calcium isfound in some foods it can also beadded to others and is also available as a dietary supplement. It ispresent in some medicines such as antacids.

Calcium is very importantfor vascular contraction and vasodilation, muscle function, nerve transmission, intracellular signalling and hormonal secretion. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services,less than 1% of total body calcium is needed to support these critical metabolic functions.So here are some calcium-rich foods that you can include in your diet.

Also Read:Protein-rich Chutneys That Can Substitute Veggies Amid The COVID-19 Lockdown

Also Read:Protein Rich Food For Vegans And Vegetarians That Will Ensure They Maintain A Healthy Diet

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture,apartfrom being high in Vitamin C, oranges are one of the best sources of Calcium. Orange contains at least 40 mg of Calcium in every 100 grams. This is the reason why orange is known to be a healthy snack.

Image credit: Pinterest

According to the health website osteoporosis.ca,a half cup or 125 ml of dry or roast almonds has 186 mg of calcium. Almondsprovide 3 grams of fibre per 28 grams. The nuts also contain healthy fats and protein and are known to be an excellent source ofmagnesium, manganese and vitamin E.

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According to uscfhealth.org, seasonal fruit fig is known to be a great source of Calcium. The fruit also contains antioxidants and fibre. Figs, dried or uncooked aresaid to provide 300 mg of Calcium. By having figs every day you can achieve the requiredintake of calcium.

Image credit: Pinterest

According to uscfhealth.org,the best way to consume spinach or any other variety ofleafy vegetables is by making a salad or in the form of soup. Acup of cooked spinach contains 240 mg of Calcium, on the other hand, Kale contains 55mg of calcium.

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According to uscfhealth.org, 1 cup of Broccoli contains 180 mg of Calcium.By includingbroccoli to your diet, the calcium can be easily absorbed by the body.

Image credit: Pinterest

Also Read:Lentils, Chia Seeds & Other Food Items That Are A Great Source Of Protein For Vegetarians

Also Read:Vitamin E Foods That Are Naturally Rich And Easily Available In The Market

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Calcium rich food items that you can to add to your diet; Read here - Republic World - Republic World

The summer season has just begun and temperature is rising rapidly. Rise in body temperature due to loss of water when the body is exposed to extreme hot and humid climate is quite common during this season. Do not worry! Stay happy and healthy this summer with the magic of some fruits which have cooling and hydrating properties. You can consume these fruits simply just like eating their flesh or by making their pulp or juice. You can add them to salads, chats, milk shakes etc. These fruits have so much beneficial qualities to beat the heat and prevent heat stroke, dehydration, stomach problems and other summer-related health issues.

There are many delicious ways to incorporate these fruits in myriad of summer-special recipes. Here is the list of these fruits:

Raw mango: Raw mangoes are full of vitamin A, vitamin C and antioxidants. We all love raw mangoes and the most popular way to use this tangy fruit during summer is aam panna. The cool khatta-meetha aam panna made from this kachchi kairi is a yummy and healthy thirst quencher. Refreshing and aromatic mint leaves full of medicinal properties are added to this drink to make it more beneficial to drink during summer. However, raw mangoes can be used to make pickle, chutney and many other flavourful side dishes, the list goes on. They help cure morning sickness, drowsiness and gives the body an energy boost that keeps you active throughout the day. Eating raw mangoes in panna form reduces the risk of getting affected due to intense heat and prevents dehydration by providing the body with enough iron, water and salt content.

Sugarcane: Being rich in carbohydrates, protein, iron, potassium and other essential nutrients, sugarcane is ideal to eat in summer. Its juice is extremely nourishing. It builds up depleting levels of energy and counters dehydration and fatigue. The laxative properties of this fruit treats acidity, constipation and stomach burns. Sugarcane in any form replenishes your body well during summer.

Watermelon: Watermelon is 92 percent water. It contains carbohydrates, sodium, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, lycopene, potassium, iron and calcium. This fruit is healthy, refreshing and cooling. The water content and natural sugar of the fruit keeps replenishing the body when eaten regularly during summer season. It protects skin from sun damage.

Tender coconut: The soft and fleshy fruit contains water which makes for a perfect summer cooler. It balances acid levels and keeps the body system cool. The water inside the fruit is very nutritious thirst quencher. It is a good electrolyte and can be used in conditions of dehydration and thirst. The flesh of coconut is coolant and nourishing in nature.

Bel fruit: It is one of the most preferred fruit to beat the heat during summer season. It boosts immune system. Consuming bel fruit in any form destroys parasites in the gut and treats digestive disorders. The laxative property of the fruit helps in relieving constipation, indigestion, dysentery, discomfort and stomach ache. The high protein level in the fruit helps boost energy and keeps you rejuvenated during the hot weather. Bel can cool down your body. You can eat the sweet flesh of the fruit or take out its juice to have a refreshing drink.

In summer one should particularly add these fruits to their diet. From keeping the body cool to boosting digestion, these summer cooling fruits are packed with a number of health benefits.

This summer make sure you do not miss these hydrating fruits.

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Beat the heat incorporating some fruits in your summer diet - The Statesman

High blood pressure is a common condition that affects more than a quarter of all adults in the UK. But, you could lower your risk of developing hypertension by avoiding liquorice, it's been claimed.

High blood pressure - which is also known as hypertension - puts extra stress on blood vessels and vital organs.

The condition could lead to some deadly complications, including strokes and heart attacks.

It could be caused by eating an unhealthy diet, or by not doing enough exercise.

You could be raising your blood pressure by simply eating liquorice, it's been revealed.

READ MORE: High blood pressure - one of the best things you can do to lower your reading

"The sweetness and blood pressure raising properties of liquorice are due to high quantities of glycyrrhizin," she wrote on her website, MyLowerBloodPressure.com.

"Glycyrrhizic or glycyrrhizinic acid which makes up to nine per cent of liquorice roots weight.

"Glycyrrhizin is 50 times sweeter than sucrose sugar, and is commonly used in herbal teas and confections in place of sugar.

"While liquorice root has beneficial actions in that it is a source of plant oestrogens antioxidant flavonoids, and has antiviral action, but it is best avoided if you have hypertension as it consistently causes blood pressure to rise."

If you have high blood pressure, and just can't live without liquorice, you could still eat products that have been flavoured with aniseed oil, she added.

Meanwhile, you could lower your risk of hypertension by eating more celery.

Celery contains plenty of potassium, which is a crucial nutrient in protecting against hypertension.

Potassium helps to regulate the amount of sodium in the body. Too much sodium increases your chances of high blood pressure.

See the article here:
High blood pressure - the sweet treat you should avoid or risk deadly hypertension - Express.co.uk

Rachel Conners's chocolate fudge recipe is best for those seeking a gluten-free, sugar-free and dairy-free diet.

Courtesy of manufacturer

Rachel Conners was born with a love of sweets that has never wavered. At the age of 16, she begged her parents for a KitchenAid mixer and began teaching herself how to bake and invent recipes, a hobby that grew into a creative passion, an emotional release and subsequently a full-time career.

At 26, she has just published her first cookbook, Bakerita: 100+ No-Fuss Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and Refined Sugar-Free Recipes for the Modern Baker, a compilation of recipes for the cookies, cakes, candies and treats the San Diego-native has posted on her popular Bakerita blog over the past 10 years.

Dessert doesnt have to be empty calories, or leave you feeling guilty, or like a blob on the couch, says Conners who freely used sugar, flour and eggs in all her recipes until about five years ago when her older sister was diagnosed with Lyme disease and committed to a gluten-free, sugar-free and dairy-free diet.

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I wanted to make her sweets that the rest of us were enjoying and I gradually transitioned into paleo-style baking. As I posted these items on my blog I realized there is a huge community of people struggling with autoimmune disorders and gut issues, or simply trying to live a healthier life, says Conners, who mostly eats a plant-based, gluten-free diet.

Dessert, in my mind, brings pure joy to our lives. This is my way of promoting dessert inclusivity.

Ingredients (Makes: 18 pieces)

Line a 9-inch-by-5-inch loaf pan or other small baking pan with foil or parchment paper. The size of the loaf pan will determine the thickness of the fudge. An 8-inch-by-8-inch pan will yield thinner fudge. You can also use a muffin tin; line 12 cups with paper liners.

Melt the coconut oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat or in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds. Stir in the cocoa powder, nut butter, maple syrup, and, if using, the vanilla and kosher salt until completely smooth.

Pour the fudge into the prepared pan. If desired, garnish with flaky sea salt and/or other toppings. Refrigerate until chilled and firm, about 2 hours.

Using a sharp knife, cut the fudge into squares. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

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Topping Options

Berries: Diced strawberries are one of my favourite fudge toppings, but any berry will work. Top the fudge with 1 cup diced strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries, then drizzle with melted chocolate, if desired.

Peanut butter: Use peanut butter when making the fudge; then melt 2 tablespoons peanut butter with 1 tablespoon coconut oil, whisk, and drizzle over the fudge mixture once its in the pan. Swirl the peanut butter mixture into the fudge with a knife or toothpick. This can be done with any other nut or seed butter as well.

Peppermint: Add 1 teaspoon pure peppermint extract with the vanilla extract. Top the fudge with 2 tablespoons crushed peppermint candies or candy canes (preferably naturally coloured and flavoured).

Note: It is best not to let the fudge get too warm or else the coconut oil will start to melt. Store the fudge in the fridge.

Excerpted from Bakerita: 100+ No-Fuss Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Refined Sugar-Free Recipes for the Modern Baker by Rachel Conners (C) 2020. Reproduced by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

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A chocolate fudge recipe made for those with dietary restrictions - The Globe and Mail

A new analysis of 121 diets revealed something that many experts have been saying for years: that strict diets don't work in the long term, except for the Mediterranean diet. Mediterranean Diet Is The Only Diet That Provides Long-Term Benefits, Study Finds After examining the diets of more than 21,000 people, a new analysis of around 121 strict diets revealed something experts have repeatedly said over the years: that the Most, if not all, of these strict diets are only beneficial for short-term purposes as they lose their health benefits the longer people follow them. Published in the British Medical Journal, the authors of the new article concluded that most of the 14 diets they studied are truly beneficial, and people who follow them experience an average loss of 10 pounds and improved blood pressure in just six months. Unfortunately, most of these benefits begin to wear off a year after starting the diet, and the reduced risk of heart disease returns to where it had been before the diet. However, research also revealed that there is one diet that stands out above all because it managed to maintain its benefits even after a year of following it: the Mediterranean diet. "The message is pretty clear. It doesn't really matter which diet you choose, the loss of weight you will gain is not much different. Diets, for most people, generally, do not work. Lowering blood pressure or bad cholesterol, for a period of time, say six months, will not make any difference in the long run if you come back to go up, "said Gordan Guyatt, author of the study and professor at McMaster University, said.However, he also said that, based on the results, the Mediterranean diet came out with a moderate victory in the study, as it managed to retain weight loss and reduced the risk of heart disease even after 12 months of following the diet.To that end, Guyatt also reiterated that he cannot offer any advice to people concerned about weight loss and that he certainly cannot recommend a diet for anyone. Health experts consider the Mediterranean diet to be one of the healthiest diets ever created, focusing on natural foods, primarily plants combined with healthy fats. Pixabay. [TagsToTranslate] Mediterranean diet

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New study reveals Mediterranean diet is the only diet with long-lasting health benefits - NewsDio

Want to lose weight but don't want to work out and follow fad diets? Then you are at the right place as we have some weight loss hacks for you.

Coronavirus led lockdown has increased our hunger pangs and made us lazier. We hardly move around or exercise and eat more thanks to mindless munching throughout the day. The byproduct of this new routine is more fats. For the unversed, we eat food for energy and when we eat more and do not burn the excess then the same gets stored as fats and of course, we are not proud of those flabby arms and love handles. If you are reading this, I am assuming you want to lose extra fats.

Do you want to lose weight but too bored to follow diet and exercise? This seems unlikely but what if I tell you that there are some smart ways that may help you to shed those extra pounds. I can see that you are already smiling and can't wait to know the tricks. Also, I would like to tell that you can burn extra fat as you sleep. Isn't that a win-win situation, no diet fads to follow, no exercise regime and burn fats while you sleep. Sure, this may sound like a dream, but you have to incorporate some things to make it a reality. Read on find out.

Note: If you want to achieve weight loss goal faster then you have to include some physical activity or HIIT/resistance training and eat healthily and in moderation.

1. Smartly boost metabolism with the thyroid glandThere are some blessed souls who can eat anything and get away with it as they have a great metabolism. But you should not worry as you can also boost metabolism in smart way. The thyroid gland handles our metabolism in an indirect way. Include certain foods for this fat-burning machine. Foods rich in iodine, zinc, selenium will help to function this gland properly.

2. Burn calories with cold water and temperatureA 10 to 30% of metabolic boost comes from water, especially cold water. Coldwater forces our body to burn more calories since it has to heat up the water to get in the belly. So, increase your resting metabolism with 6-8 cups of water a day. Cold showers also help to burn some fats by speeding metabolism. If the water is below 21-degree Celcius then 90% metabolism can bolster up. Lower the temperature of shower water, better will be the metabolism. Lower room temperature will also do the same trick. Your body will burn more calories to stay warm.

3. SleepDid you know sleeping for 8 hours can help you to get rid of 300 calories? But if you don't get enough sleep your body needs more energy and then you will look for it in food. And this will create a hormonal imbalance and more hunger hormones will be created.

4. Plain black coffeeInstead of coffee with whipped cream and full-fat milk, you should ideally go for black coffee. As the same bolster our metabolism and keeps burning fat as we rest. As per the National Institute of Health, coffee increases 29% of fat burning in slimmer people and 10% in overweight people.

5. Switch to coconut oilIt is very difficult to give up on tasty foods and that's why there is a hack for all the weight watchers. You can switch your cooking oil to coconut oil for better health and weight loss. As per research, if you include 2 tbsp of coconut oil in your breakfast then you will eat lesser during lunch as it is a natural appetite suppressant. The oil also gets absorbed faster and improves metabolism.

6. Include chillies in your dietInclude spicy food in your diet as the capsaicin present in chillies and jalapenos helps to give more kick to metabolism if it's slow. It will also keep you full for longer.

7. Apple cider vinegarPeople who ate ACV every day had 200 calories lesser every day as they feel less hungry. So, make sure to add them to your diet.

8. Eat more proteins and fiberOur body burns more calories to process proteins. For example, if you eat 200 grams of chicken breast (330 calories) you will burn 99 calories just by digesting it. On the other hand, fiber prevents the body from absorbing excess fats and you feel fuller for a long time after having fibrous foods.

Lockdown not going so great? We are here for you. Tell us your self isolation stories anonymously here.

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No Diet and No Exercise: Follow THESE ways and lose weight smartly - PINKVILLA

One of the first disruptions dietary supplement ingredient suppliers experienced at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic involved logisticsspecifically, transportation. Not only was labor not available to transport goods, but companies faced severely spiked transportation costs.

Nutritional Outlook hosted a webcast on April 16th featuring several ingredient suppliers from various countries, as well as other industry experts, to learn about the challenges companies are facing as a result of the pandemic.

Watch this webcast free on demand

Transportation Troubles

Dietary supplement businesses, including retailers, manufacturers, and raw material suppliers, remain operational in many parts of the world today. Consumers, it turns out, regard supplements as essential during a pandemic, as skyrocketing sales indicate. While demand for supplements is growing, the initial disruptions caused by lockdowns and social distancing requirements definitely upended the industrys supply chain.

In the early days of the lockdown in India where his company is headquartered, it was difficult to secure transportation and labor, said webcast panelist Shaheen Majeed, president worldwide of ingredients supplier Sabinsa (East Windsor, NJ).

While we are 100% operational, there have been operational challenges with regard to staff transportation and shipping logistics, said Majeed. In many cases, weve been moving materials using our own transport and providing our own staff or labor. Labor was just not availablefor example, unloading and loading of goods at docks and warehousing. Despite these challenges, Majeed said Sabinsa continues to be able to transport its goods to its customers.

Still, it turns out that it now costs the company more to do so. Numerous speakers, including Majeed, testified that currently, the cost of transport has drastically gone up. Logistical transportation costs have absolutely increased, he said.

Wilson Lau, vice president of Nuherbs (San Leandro, CA), has observed these changes in China where his company primarily sources ingredients. Lau said, Right now, airfreight from China is horrendousprices spiked two to three timesand the availability is low because a lot of those air shipments bandwidth has gone to personal protective equipment (PPE), which is as it should. Also, the number of flights have been greatly reduced because people arent traveling back and forth between China and the U.S., China to Europe, etc.

Another webcast panelist, Michelle Li, vice president of operations for supplier Scientific Living (Irvine, CA), expressed similar experiences. In the past few weeks, weve seen some congestions due to the reduction in cargo flights and shipping vessels. And this is causing a delay in our shipping efforts. Theres no surprise that we do see a surge in transportation costs, especially for air freight, and as we heard earlier. Some of these costs are three to five times the amount we normally saw before the coronavirus outbreak. Ocean shipments are less impacted from a pricing-increase standpoint, but we are seeing longer lead times due to indirect services. These longer lead times at ports around the world also take into account customer clearance processes that have been extended to somewhat decreased inspection activities.

Li added: Were not only seeing these changes and effects from our Chinese partners, but also our partners in India, South America, and parts of Europe.

And Majeed said: Sea and cargo transport is still somewhat limited and definitely more expensive, and by more expensive, I mean weve seen rates as high as 400% over normal rates. And while this will probably stabilize as more movement picks up (be it air or sea), more permissions are granted, and more workers are able to come back, we dont see prices coming back to pre-virus days. Thats something well just have to be mindful and careful of as we move on.

Supply: Short and Long Term

And what about actual supply shortages? At this time, is there enough supply of ingredients out there to meet demand? The answer is largely yesfor now. Webcast panelist Ettore Milano, PhD, medicinal plant purchasing manager for supplier Indena S.p.A. (Milan, Italy), said, The main issue of the moment relates to the logistics and transportation, not the sourcing of ingredients.

Many companies had stored inventory of ingredients in the short-termand smart companies even began stocking up when news of the COVID-19 pandemic first hit months ago. Said Sabinsas Majeed, We certainly kicked it up a notch when reports not only from China but also from our Chinese office that various lockdowns were happening over there. We realized there would be a fundamental shortage throughout the world, and so we took action in late October or November to process more material and to stock up our warehouses. So, weve been airlifting immediate goods that our customers needed, and putting sea shipments that have been going out regularly for the past few months. So, were on track as of whenever the lockdown had happened. Weve been adequately supplied, with our houses being full.

Supply is sufficient for now, but that could change soon, panelists pointed out. Even if companies had built up inventory, that inventory wont last forever. Said Nuherbs Lau: On the supply side, were currently fortunate that we and our partners have quite a bit of inventory in stock, but for some herbs that are hot, such as honeysuckle, its going to be an issue because harvest is a month or so away, so as we burn through our current inventory due to increased demand, its going to be hard, with harvests being so close.

He continued: What Im really worried about is the fall/winter, if there is a secondary outbreak of COVID-19 in China, in certain places, that might be more localized than, say, shutting down or quarantining a whole region or the country. When it happens to that level, are there going to be people to go harvest these fall crops? Or even the summer crops? If it does come back in the fall/winter, are there going to be people out in the fields picking it, or will they miss the harvest due to this, and there will be a severe supply chain shortage?

I think thats true around the world, he added. Its not specific to China. There are harvests going on here in the U.S., and if its more mechanized, then maybe one person on a big combine can go pick all the wheat up, but for example if you need people in the fields to pick apples, if you dont have enough people out there, youre not going to pick it. So thats what I really worry about in the short-term/medium-term is how this is going to impact harvests as they come up. Once its harvested, then its just a matter of timing. The supply is there, but its a matter of getting it out, so thats a bottleneck of days or months, but the issue is if you cant get the raw input. Then you have a real supply issue.

Sabinsas Majeed expressed similar concerns. As the growing season progresses here in India, getting people into the fields to plant, to nurture, to harvest material for the worlds output is going to depend on a lot of factors, and it really comes down to how organized their systems were before this pandemic. [I]n India specifically, migrant workers have been hit hard, especially up North, and thats going to have a short-term and a long-term effect that this nation will feel for months if not years to come.

Lau said, Hopefully I am always looking at things from the side of the farmer and being slightly pessimistic, but overall I think if anyone comes to you with an overly optimistic viewpoint of the supply chain and saying that they have everything under control, Id be very worried. I think this is the time to have a Plan A, B, C, D, E, F, and then keep going down the line as far as you can.

What Will Demand Look Like Later?

The fact that demand is significantly increased for dietary supplements overall, and for products for immune health specifically, has made it even more challenging to meet demand with current supply chain obstacles. Webcast panelist Jim Emme, CEO of Now Health Group, spoke to the increased demand. He said, Weve not only seen an increase in immune products; weve seen an increase in personal care, essential oils, aromatherapy, homecare systems. It seems like as people are quarantined at home, there are spa days that are happening because they cant go to a spa. Theyre doing it themselves. So, weve seen interruptions due to high demand across every category that we sellnot just immune products.

Scientific Livings Li said: From a supply chain point of view, this growth can be somewhat double-edged, as we see many parts of our global supply chain struggle to keep up with the increase in these demandsWe started bringing in extra inventory prior to the Chinese New Year, with the anticipation that there would be potential shutdowns. But between the extra inventory that weve been building and the shipments that are in route on the ocean as we speak, we are only fulfilling a portion of the void thats created by the COVID-19 crisis.

Its also uncertain whether this higher demand will ultimately taper off to more normal levels later. Said Li: Based on the current retail data, we do see a spike in demand for dietary supplements. One of our major short-term challenges is to really balance an inventory to meet the increase in demand, but also avoid severely overstocking. So, at this point, its difficult for us to tell if the increase in demand from what we see today will translate into longer-term, higher sales volumes for a lot of these products.

She continued: One scenario is if COVID-19 persists and we may continue to see higher unemployment rates and slowdown in our economy. As a result, are we going to see less discretionary spending for a lot of these health and wellness products? But on the other hand,if we take a glimpse into future trends based on what we have already seen in China where e-commerce sales spiked during the three months of quarantine, and we continue to see that demand grow, after this quarantine has ended there is an optimistic mentality that maybe in the States, this preventative health and wellness mentality will perhaps stay, and we need to prepare for this.

Ongoing Change

The only guarantee in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic is that obstacles and solutions will continue to shift. Said NOWs Emme, Overall we realize that there are many things that are fragile in this entire supply chain right now. It could be a transportation problemjust because were not having one today doesnt mean we wont have one tomorrow. The problems are changing by the hour. The challenges are occurring day in and day out, around the clock.

Even as a country like China begins its initial recovery for now, other parts of the global are increasingly impacted, meaning that the supplement supply chain should expect to continue seeing challenges worldwide. Said Lau: Chinas back open and up and operational. However, my assumption is that COVID-19 is going to come in waves to different parts of the world. So, I think its going to be an ongoing challenge for the near future.

Scientific Livings Li said the same. We did see the supply shock initially start off in China, but its now becoming a larger, global supply issue.

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COVID-19 and the Dietary Supplement Supply Chain - Nutritional Outlook