Tuning the body: why Hongkongers turn to supplements to keep their ‘engine’ running

From collagen and creatine to traditional Chinese remedies, supplements are becoming part of daily life, but experts say a healthier diet should come first

In the first instalment of a five-part Health Matters wellness series on Hong Kong’s growing wellness trends, Lo Hoi-ying examines why younger residents are turning to supplements to boost energy, immunity and performance, as experts warn that excessive use should not replace a balanced diet.

Tata Tse Yi-kwan spends around HK$2,000 (US$255) a month on supplements tailored to her different needs, including immunity, energy, digestion, performance and recovery.

The sound-wellness practitioner, who is preparing for a Hyrox race in January, follows a comprehensive supplement routine that she describes as helping keep her “engine” running.

Her regimen includes MCT oil, collagen, multivitamins, creatine and enzymes. She combines these supplements with other wellness habits, such as meditation and journaling.

Tse is among the hundreds of thousands of Hongkongers incorporating supplements into their daily lives, and part of the millennial and Gen Z consumer groups driving the US$2 trillion global wellness industry.

Driven by rising health consciousness, an ageing population and the rebound in tourism, Hong Kong’s wellness industry is projected to reach HK$12.7 billion in retail sales by 2028, according to an analysis of the city’s supplement market by Frost & Sullivan.