As fitness freaks and health-focused people stay inside due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the demand for online shopping of activewear and fitness gear products has surged in India.
According to NorthAlp, an online shopping portal that exclusively focuses on sports activewear and fitness gear segments, they have seen a 300 per cent increase in sales.
The Sweden-based company revealed that current demands are mainly fitness wear, shoes and fitness products in the country.
“NorthAlp is experiencing a high online demand for activewear and fitness products, especially our wide collection of premium branded yoga mats have seen extraordinary popularity,” Vijay Kannan, Managing Director India, NorthAlp, told IANS.
During the lockdown, the company revealed that 40 per cent of the sales were for activewear, 30 per cent for a yoga mat, 13 per cent for footwear and rest for fitness accessories.
The growing popularity of virtual fitness workouts with professional instructors and coaches are another reason behind the increase in online sales of fitness products and brands, such as apparel and shoes.
Kanika Gupta, Founder of Fitmoda — women activewear portal, told IANS: “We have observed that our online sales of activewear have almost grown by 100 per cent.
“It reflects that women want to stay fit and healthy while working from home. About 70 per cent of our total sales were for fitness activewear by women below the age of 35 years,” she said.
Out of total sales of activewear, 50 per cent was for tops, 30 per cent for bottoms like leggings, shorts and skirts followed by 20 per cent sale of Jumpsuits, according to Fitmoda.
“The main reason for this high demand can be attributed to rising awareness among women as this activewear for women are generally used for gymming and working out from home,” Gupta said.
According to Sumedha Mahajan, Founder of Brakefree which is an online shopping platform of sportswear for women, the company is seeing a huge demand for sportswear.
“We are doing good business. Demand for half sleeve tops, tights and capris have seen maximum demand as they are more comfortable while working out at home,” Mahajan said.
People with cholesterol should eliminate carbs
Following a study on hypercholesterolemia, researchers have suggested that people with the condition should eliminate carbohydrates from their diet instead of fats.
Familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic disorder that causes people to have cholesterol levels 2-4 times higher than the average person. Organisations, including the American Heart Association, have suggested they avoid eating food from animal sources, such as meat, eggs, and cheese, and to avoid coconut oil.
An international team of experts on heart disease and diet, including five cardiologists, reviewed dietary guidelines for people with familial hypercholesterolemia. They say they couldn’t find any justification for health experts to recommend a low saturated fat diet.
“For the past 80 years, people with familial hypercholesterolemia have been told to lower their cholesterol with a low saturated fat diet,” said lead author David Diamond, professor and heart disease researcher at the University of South Florida.
“Our study showed that a more ‘heart healthy’ diet is one low in sugar, not saturated fat,” Diamond added.Diamond and his co-authors say following a low-carb diet is most effective for people at increased risk of heart disease, such as those who are overweight, hypertensive and diabetic.
