In the 21st century our tastes buds, our brain chemistry, our biochemistry, our hormones and our kitchens have been hijacked by the food industry.

This powerful quote by Mark Hyman, a prominent physician, nutrition expert, and advocate for functional medicine, critiques the modern food industry and its influence on our health and choices. When he says, “our taste buds, our brain chemistry, our biochemistry, our hormones and our kitchens have been hijacked,” Hyman is describing how ultra-processed, chemically engineered foods have disrupted our natural biology and manipulated our eating behaviors. These foods are designed to be hyper-palatable, triggering intense cravings and making it difficult for people to make healthy decisions.

The use of the word “hijacked” conveys a sense of loss of control—not just over our diets, but over how our bodies and brains respond to food. Hyman suggests that the modern food environment, shaped by corporate interests and profit motives, exploits our biological vulnerabilities, leading to widespread issues like obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disease. The quote is a call to recognize how deeply food manufacturers have influenced not just what we eat, but how we think, feel, and function biologically.

The origin of this quote is rooted in Hyman’s books and public lectures, particularly those like Food Fix and The Blood Sugar Solution, where he exposes the systemic problems within the industrial food system. His work argues for a revolution in how we grow, produce, and consume food—emphasizing whole, unprocessed foods and public policies that support health over profit. Hyman believes that reversing chronic disease and restoring well-being begins with reclaiming our kitchens and changing the way we think about food.

Ultimately, Hyman’s quote is a warning and a wake-up call. It encourages individuals to become more conscious consumers, to question what they’ve been taught about food, and to take back control from a system that has prioritized convenience and profit over nutrition and health. It also serves as a broader critique of how industrialization has distanced people from the natural, nourishing relationships they once had with food and eating.