Drop Dead Healthy

Drop Dead Healthy – A.J. Jacobs

A.J. Jacobs is known for immersing himself in unusual experiments and writing hilariously about the results, from reading the entire encyclopedia to following the rules of the Bible as literally as possible. In Drop Dead Healthy: One Man’s Humble Quest for Bodily Perfection, he turns his attention to his own body.

Approaching middle age, out of shape and worried about his health, Jacobs sets out to become the healthiest man alive. Over the course of a couple of years, he tests a dizzying range of diets, exercise routines, health advice and wellness trends, consulting experts, reading studies and trying everything from running barefoot and chewing food extensively to using a treadmill desk, practicing better posture, managing stress and cutting back on noise.

Each chapter focuses on a different part of the body or aspect of health, such as the heart, stomach, brain, ears, skin and sleep, and combines Jacobs’s personal experiences with information about what research says. Along the way, he examines the confusing and often contradictory world of health advice, separating sensible recommendations from fads.

The book also includes moving reflections on family, aging and mortality, especially as Jacobs’s beloved grandfather faces declining health.

Funny, informative and warm, Drop Dead Healthy is an entertaining read for anyone interested in health and wellness. It is written for entertainment and general interest, and readers should consult a health professional before making changes to their diet or exercise routine.