It’s no secret that virtually everyone depends on technology in one form or another in order to maintain the lifestyles they want. Technological development has moved so quickly over the past several decades that many of the tools and appliances we use every day – things that were once at the bleeding edge of technology – are now considered passé. You probably don’t think too much about the underlying technology when you use a microwave to heat your water for tea in the morning; you’re too busy thinking about the latest technological marvels like the battery-powered car in your driveway or the supercomputer in your pocket.
As great as electric cars and smartphones are, though, even those technologies are quickly making their way toward becoming virtually invisible threads in the fabric of everyday life. So, what’s on the bleeding edge of technology in 2021? What are the new products and devices that are going to improve your life in ways you can’t even imagine yet? These are just a few of the crazy new technologies that are improving our lives in 2021.
High-Tech Veggie Protein
Regardless of how you happen to feel from a moral standpoint, there’s no denying the fact that meat consumption comes with some serious downsides. Between the greenhouse gas emissions and the inefficient use of land, meat production is horrible for the environment. Along with those two issues, the meat industry causes an unbelievable amount of death, to the tune of 200 million land-based animals slaughtered for meat every day around the world. There’s no question that we’d all be doing ourselves and the planet a favour if we ate less meat.
The problem was that, until recently, veggie protein was very much an acquired taste. It was very difficult to convince yourself that a salty puck of textured soy protein tasted like a real burger, so anyone who wasn’t strongly motivated to decrease or eliminate their meat consumption chose the real thing instead.
In 2021, though, veggie protein has taken on a whole new meaning. Companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods are analysing meat more closely than it’s ever been analysed before, and they’re creating burgers and other products that truly attempt to replicate the flavour and texture of meat at a molecular level. You’re not missing out on anything when you eat a veggie burger these days, and the producers of plant-based protein products say that realistic plant-based steak isn’t far away.
Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping
While supply chain issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic slowed the growth of the worldwide vaping industry in 2020, smokers are giving up tobacco and switching to e-cigs at a faster rate than ever in 2021. They’re filling their devices with modern e-liquids produced by companies like Naked Vape Juice, and they’re loving the fact that they’re finally free from tobacco.
If you’re a smoker or have friends or family members who smoke, you’re probably already aware of vaping and certainly know that it’s not a new technology. What you may not know, though, is how much the technology behind e-cigarettes changed and matured in 2021. Here are just a few of the latest developments:
- Pod-based vape mods have appeared, creating an entirely new class of device that’s been an enormous hit with intermediate and experienced vapers.
- Flavour technology has gotten better than ever. Modern vape juices now taste like almost perfect clones of the most popular candies, desserts and beverages.
- Synthetic nicotine has become affordable enough that many vape juice makers are now using it in their products. It’s finally possible to vape without using a single tobacco-derived product.
With the NHS now mulling the possibility of giving e-cigarettes to smokers on a prescription basis, it’s becoming increasingly likely that tobacco use in the UK will effectively cease to exist within the next decade or two.
Home Food Allergy Profiling
Do you experience persistent fatigue that seems to prevent you from living your life at the maximum possible effectiveness? Maybe you also experience digestive issues after meals, and you’re wondering if you could be intolerant to something in your diet such as dairy, gluten or soy. The only way to answer those questions is by taking a food allergy test. One of the greatest developments in health technology in 2021 is the fact that you can now order a food allergy test online and have it shipped to your home without worrying about insurance costs or making an appointment with your doctor.
Taking a home food allergy test is simple and usually involves mailing a small blood sample to the test provider. The provider conducts an analysis of your blood for antibodies that could indicate intolerances to certain foods. You’ll receive a report detailing the provider’s findings, and you can act on that report by eliminating the problematic foods from your diet. You can also bring the report to your doctor, who may want to order additional tests to confirm your suspected food sensitivities. We’d all like to feel better from day to day. Knowing the foods that are problematic for you can help you go a long way toward achieving that goal.
Wearable Fitness Trackers
You’re probably well aware of smart watches such as the Apple Watch, and it’s likely that you remember the Fitbit craze from a few years ago as well. It’s great to have a wearable device that tracks your activity levels and motivates you to keep your body in motion. If that’s all that you think a wearable fitness tracker can do, though, you’re missing out on the health revolution that these devices are creating in 2021.
Today’s smart watches and fitness trackers have become so advanced that it’s almost impossible to justify not owning one. A modern smart watch can record your heart rhythm automatically and alert you if it detects a problem. If you fall, a smart watch can call emergency services for you automatically. We’re even close to having fitness trackers that can measure your blood-glucose levels through your skin in real time – no finger pricking necessary. Wearing a fitness tracker can literally save your life, and it’s difficult to imagine any new technology doing anything more important than that.
