When most of us heard the phrase “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” we took it as just a catchy saying. But behind that simple advice may lie one of the biggest health lessons Americans are finally starting to take seriously.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been speaking out about the growing dangers of processed food and artificial additives since stepping into office. He’s warning that the chemicals and preservatives hidden in everyday products could be quietly damaging not only physical health but mental and neurological health as well.
Kennedy’s message is simple — Americans have allowed too much junk into their diets. He says we need to get back to real, whole foods that support the brain, gut, and body. For many, that starts in the grocery store.
“When I was a kid, we ate healthier, there was less processing, less sugar, and in general, we ate smaller portions,” the author of the original piece wrote. “Over the last 50 to 60 years, we have been adding a lot of unhealthiness to our food.”
She explained that today’s food culture — filled with processed meals, oversized portions, and fewer home-cooked dinners — has led to an explosion of gut problems, poor nutrition, and mood issues. That’s where the conversation about gut health becomes so critical.
Kennedy’s push has drawn attention from autism advocates who see growing evidence that gut health affects neurological development and behavior. Lynne White, a mother of an autistic adult and longtime autism activist, said improving gut health could lead to breakthroughs for millions of families.
“Secretary Kennedy understands that the food we are eating is, more times than not, unhealthy for us,” she said. “Bringing this awareness to everyone is important because we have to start demanding that our food not be full of chemicals and preservatives.”
White also credited researcher John Payne, Chairman and CEO of PURELIFE Health Sciences Group, for his focus on the connection between the gut and the brain. His work highlights how gut bacteria influence not just digestion but emotion, attention, and mental clarity.
“It’s not just about physical health — our emotional and mental health are deeply affected too,” White said.
Kennedy’s effort to clean up America’s food system is also being supported by the MAHA Commission, which recently rolled out the “Make Our Children Healthy Again” plan to combat chronic disease. The strategy targets additives and preservatives that many believe are harming children’s development.
New studies are backing up those claims, showing that gut health impacts brain function, mood, and even social behavior. Improving it could make a meaningful difference for those with autism and other developmental challenges.
Research also shows that good gut health helps stabilize metabolism and regulate energy, helping people feel calmer and more focused. As White wrote, “Improving these areas can help us be calmer, more attentive, and more responsive. This is extremely important in the autism community.”
For her and many others, this discussion is more than scientific — it’s personal. She works daily with autistic adults through Team Awesomism, a community focused on helping them live better, more independent lives.
“If there is truly a connection between the gut and autism, by changing our eating habits and getting chemicals out of all of our food, we are helping autistic adults,” she said.
She also praised Kennedy for refusing to back down despite political resistance. “I really don’t understand why this is controversial. Healthy food should be an issue we all agree on.”
The growing consensus is that Americans need to take back control of their diets — from the grocery store shelf to the dinner table. More research is still needed, but the evidence keeps pointing in one direction: what we eat shapes how we live.
As White put it, “An apple a day may sound cliché, but if eating healthy foods cleans our guts, we will definitely be eating more apples in our house.”