Mark's Picks 3/7

Health isn’t meant to be a solo journey—it thrives in community. That’s why I created The Hyman Hive, a space where you can stay motivated, overcome challenges, and make real, lasting change with the support of like-minded people. Inside the Hive, you’ll get monthly live sessions with me, expert guidance, behind-the-scenes content, and science-backed tools to help you take control of your health—and so much more. Join the waitlist today to lock in special Founding Member pricing and get a free Meal Planning Template to start setting yourself up for success. Doors officially open on April 1st—don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible community!

In 2011, I took the TEDMED stage to share something I’m deeply passionate about: community as medicine. I spoke about a missing piece in our approach to health—one that I discovered through my own experiences and later put into action with The Daniel Plan, a groundbreaking experiment in community-based wellness that helped thousands transform their health together. More than a decade later, that lesson continues to shape my work. I’ve seen time and again that having the right support system can make all the difference in creating lasting health, which is why I’m so excited about The Hyman Hive. This TED Talk might be an oldie, but its message is more relevant than ever. Watch it here.

For too long, ultra-processed foods and harmful additives have been the norm in school lunches—despite overwhelming evidence linking them to hyperactivity, endocrine disruption, and even cancer. But Arizona just set a new standard. With the passage of the Healthy Schools Act (HB2164), the state is banning 11 harmful food additives, including Red 40, potassium bromate, and titanium dioxide, from all school meals, snacks, and vending machines by the 2026–2027 school year.

And the momentum is building. Just days later, I joined my peers in my home state of Texas, testifying in support of SB25, SB314, and SB379—Senate bills aimed at expanding nutrition education for doctors, increasing transparency in food labeling, banning toxic additives from kids’ lunches, mandating physical activity in schools, and restricting SNAP benefits from being used on ultra-processed junk food. (You can watch clips of my testimony here and here.) Progress is happening fast, but there’s still work to do. The more we push for real food, better policies, and transparency, the closer we get to lasting change.

We know ultra-processed foods can zap your energy, mess with your mood, and leave you feeling foggy—but did you know they could also be sabotaging your sleep? A new meta-analysis found that people with higher ultra-processed food consumption had a 53% greater risk of insomnia, particularly among adolescents. These foods disrupt gut health, blood sugar balance, and sleep hormones—all key players in quality sleep. Bottom line: What you eat during the day affects how you sleep at night. Start with the basics: Eat real, whole foods, balance your blood sugar, and support your gut. If you want to take your sleep to the next level (and daylight savings is the perfect time to do it!), my Sleep Masterclass is a great place to start.

Clean drinking water should be a given, but many U.S. water systems contain contaminants like PFAS, arsenic, and nitrates—posing potential health risks. That’s why I always recommend the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Tap Water Database to check your local water quality, including contaminant levels, health risks, and compliance violations. I’m excited to share that EWG just released a major update with the latest data, plus a powerful new feature: custom water filter recommendations based on the specific pollutants in your area. This makes it easier than ever to take action and protect yourself. Check it out here.

Wishing you health and happiness,
Mark Hyman, MD

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