Vintage celebrities who swore by wellness trends modern science now supports
Long before green juice became Instagram fodder, a handful of Hollywood icons quietly practiced habits that seemed eccentric at the time. According to MediaFeed cultural analysis, some stars from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s were ahead of their time when it came to health and wellness, trying habits dismissed as fads that modern research now validates. They were trendsetters in ways we’re only catching up to.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
Why these trends were considered unusual then
Mid-century Hollywood prioritized glamour over wellness, with crash diets and pills more common than sustainable health practices. Weightlifting was considered strange, meditation was viewed as fringe, and plant-based eating seemed radical. Celebrities who pursued unconventional wellness habits risked ridicule, yet some persisted because these practices genuinely made them feel better.
Image Credit: Universal / IMDB.
Audrey Hepburn (1950s)
Hepburn practiced animal-inspired yoga poses decades before yoga studios dotted every corner. A 1959 Cosmopolitan feature documented her routine mimicking tigers, deer, and panthers. Modern research confirms yoga improves balance, flexibility, and mental clarity.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Steve McQueen (1960s)
The King of Cool exercised religiously for two hours daily, combining weightlifting, boxing, and martial arts training with Bruce Lee. Today’s science validates his instinct that exercise helps manage stress and maintain mental equilibrium.
Jerry Wald Productions
Paul Newman (1970s-1980s)
At 80, Newman credited his morning routine of weights and aerobics, practiced 365 days a year, for his vitality, predating research showing that regular exercise dramatically improves longevity.
Image Credit: IMDb
George Harrison (1967)
Harrison introduced Transcendental Meditation to Western audiences when the Beatles traveled to India. Decades of research have validated meditation’s benefits for reducing stress and improving focus.
Paramount Pictures
Gloria Swanson (1920s-1950s)
Swanson championed organic food and whole grains decades before they became mainstream, avoiding processed foods and white sugar. Modern nutritional science now confirms her instincts about the benefits of whole, unprocessed foods.
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Jane Fonda (1980s)
Fonda revolutionized home fitness with her 1982 workout video, making exercise accessible to millions. Current science confirms cardiovascular exercise strengthens the heart, improves mood, and extends lifespan.
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Jack LaLanne (1950s-1960s)
LaLanne opened America’s first health club in 1936 and launched the first televised exercise program in 1953. He advocated weightlifting for everyone and promoted juice cleansing decades early.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
Paul McCartney (1975)
McCartney and Linda went vegetarian in 1975 after watching lambs play while eating lamb chops. Modern nutritional science now links plant-forward diets with reduced disease risk and environmental benefits.
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Wrapping up
Some vintage stars weren’t just glamorous but were ahead of the wellness curve. Their instincts about meditation, plant-based eating, and daily movement have been validated by decades of research.
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