“But carbon 13 [the carbon from corn] doesn't lie, and researchers who have compared the isotopes in the flesh or hair of Americans to those in the same tissues of Mexicans report that it is now we in the North who are the true people of corn.... Compared to us, Mexicans today consume a far more varied carbon diet: the animals they eat still eat grass (until recently, Mexicans regarded feeding corn to livestock as a sacrilege); much of their protein comes from legumes; and they still sweeten their beverages with cane sugar. So that's us: processed corn, walking.”

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About Michael Pollan

American food writer and journalist, Pollan is best known for his accessible yet rigorous exploration of how food systems shape health, culture, and the environment. His work bridges science, ethics, and everyday life, offering clear guidance on sustainable living and mindful eating.

More from Michael Pollan (225 quotes) →
"But carbon 13 [the carbon from corn] doesn't lie, and researchers who…" — Michael Pollan | Daily Quotes