BOOK REVIEW: “This Is What You Just Put In Your Mouth?” by Patrick Di Justo

This Is What You Just Put In Your Mouth? by Patrick Di Justo is a super fun book. In it, Di Justo breaks down the ingredients of everyday products one-by-one. The first half of the book focuses on food items and the second half highlights non-food items. The book is a collection of columns Di Justo wrote for Wired magazine with some additional commentary added in.

This book combines humor and science in an irresistible way. There may be just enough science in this book for it to be declared “educational.” You will learn new things about atoms, molecules, acids, emulsifiers, chemical reactions, bodily functions, and more. Plus, you will laugh out loud at Di Justo’s snarky observations on the FDC and journalistic shenanigans. As it turns out, many huge corporations are less than thrilled for the American public to REALLY know what’s in their products.

I love trivial knowledge and this book is full of it. And because the book features several items we consume or use on a daily basis, there is ample opportunity to “share” the knowledge with my friends on a daily basis. Imagine how much fun you could be at parties talking about how Slim Jims are actually alive and CoverGirl mascara is magnetic.

If you nerd out about science, you like a good laugh, and/or you find yourself wondering with morbid curiosity, “What’s actually in Preparation H?”, this book is for you.

Please Note: This book was gifted as a part of the Blogging for Books Reviewers Program in exchange for my unbiased review of this work. This has in no way influenced my opinion or review of this work.