Encore: America’s Fight for Food Justice | Senator Cory Booker

Mark Hyman

Jan 27, 2025

Episode description

Our current food system is a national emergency. It’s intricately designed to confuse and mislead consumers, making healthy choices difficult and contributing to America’s chronic disease epidemic. In this episode, I sit down with Senator Cory Booker to delve into the systemic issues impacting our diet, food labeling, and the power of policy change.

In this episode, we discuss:

How food packaging is designed to confuse or mislead consumers
The link between the food system, chronic illness, and the unintended consequences of food policies that increase disease and healthcare costs.
The harmful effects of ultra-processed foods
The negative impact of industrial farming practices on the environment, soil health, and the nutritional quality of food
The importance of personal health advocacy and broader public health initiatives to transform the food system, improve health outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs

Uncover the truth behind our food politics and discover how informed choices can lead to a healthier future. This conversation was hosted by Sixth and I in Washington, DC.

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Mindsip insights from this episode:

Combat mental health crisis by reducing ultra-processed food intake

The ultra-processed food we eat is a primary driver of the mental health crisis by causing neuroinflammation, which disconnects the rational part of the brain.

#mental-health

#processed-food

Uncover hidden sugars in food labels

Food companies intentionally use multiple different types of sugar in a single product so that 'sugar' does not appear as the number one ingredient on the label.

#processed-food

#sugar

Reduce consumption of food additives for better health

The average American who eats a standard diet consumes 22 pounds of food additives per year.

#nutrition

#processed-food

Eliminate glyphosate exposure to protect your health

80% of Americans have glyphosate, a known carcinogen and microbiome destroyer, in their urine.

#microbiome

#toxin

Protect brain health by maintaining oral microbiome

Your oral microbiome is highly influential on your risk of developing dementia and heart disease, as bad gums are a huge risk factor for systemic inflammation.

#dementia

#microbiome

Recognize food industry funding in health organizations

Many professional health organizations, like the American Diabetes Association and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, receive significant funding from the food and pharma industries.

#healthcare

#nutrition

Address obesity as a national security risk for youth

70% of American youth cannot qualify for military service, and 72% of military evacuations from recent wars were for obesity-related injuries, not combat.