From supplements to IV drips, is India's wellness obsession going too far?

As supplements, fasting routines and medical-style wellness treatments find more takers, experts at the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2026 cautioned against chasing health trends without understanding what the body actually need.In the rush to optimise health, are we sometimes confusing wellness with the next big trend?(Photo: India Today)New Delhi,Oct 10, 2026 17:30 ISTWellness has become part of everyday conversation. From tracking sleep and counting steps to trying intermittent fasting, buying supplements and exploring treatments that promise to improve health, people are increasingly looking for ways to feel better and live healthier lives. But in the rush to optimise health, are we sometimes confusing wellness with the next big trend?That question came into focus on Day 2 of the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2026, during a session titled ‘Wellness Tourism: The New Mark of Luxury’. The conversation, which moved from the food served at wellness retreats to intermittent fasting and the growing appetite for health interventions, featured Irina Sharma, strategic partner and expert at VIVAMAYR Medical Health Resort in Austria, and Puneet Chhatwal, managing director and chief executive officer of Indian Hotels Company Ltd.While the discussion explored the role of retreats in helping people build healthier habits, it also raised a larger question: in a market crowded with wellness advice, how do people distinguish useful practices from trends that may not be right for them?Not every wellness trend is for youFrom influencers recommending supplements to social media users sharing their fasting schedules and fitness routines, wellness advice is everywhere. The problem, as the speakers pointed out, is that what works for one person may not work for another. Irina emphasised the importance of understanding an individual's needs instead of following a standardised approach. At a wellness retreat, she explained, the focus is on assessing the person and tailoring a programme accordingly, rather than simply handing everyone the same routine.Puneet also warned against buying supplements, taking products or opting for injections based on influencer recommendations alone. His message was straightforward: people should seek guidance from doctors and relevant experts rather than assume that a health trend popular online is automatically suitable for them.The growing appeal of medical-style wellness One of the sharper points raised during the conversation was the way wellness has expanded beyond everyday habits to include interventions that appear increasingly medical.Irina said the Covid-19 pandemic had prompted many people to reflect on their health and take greater responsibility for it. But she also expressed concern that the resulting interest in wellness had created room for treatments being offered without adequate expertise.She specifically raised concerns about ozone therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia training (IHHT), arguing that these should not be treated as generic wellness protocols. She also criticised the use of intravenous drips for hangovers and at social occasions such as weddings, calling for greater attention to regulation and responsible practice- Ends