Who Said Food as Medicine? Tracing the Famous Saying to Hippocrates and Beyond

December 15, 2025 •

4 min read

Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician often called the "father of modern medicine," is famously credited with the quote, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food". However, historical research reveals this exact phrase cannot be found in his written works, known as the Hippocratic Corpus. While the sentiment aligns with his holistic philosophy, the precise origin is likely a modern interpretation that gained popularity over time.

Quick Summary

The popular quote 'Let food be thy medicine' is widely attributed to Hippocrates but is not found in his original writings. The ancient Greek physician did, however, emphasize the profound role of diet in health and illness prevention. Modern research into nutrigenomics and chronic disease prevention affirms the core philosophy that food has a powerful impact on well-being.

Key Points

Hippocrates is the Figure: The famous quote is widely attributed to the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, the 'father of modern medicine,' for his holistic approach to health.
The Quote is a Misattribution: Historical and scholarly research indicates that while the sentiment aligns with his teachings, the exact phrase "Let food be thy medicine..." does not appear in Hippocrates's original writings, known as the Hippocratic Corpus.
Ancient Philosophy Supported the Idea: Hippocrates believed that disease stemmed from natural causes like diet and environment, not divine punishment, and he prescribed dietary changes to aid the body's innate healing processes.
The Concept is Cross-Cultural: The idea of food as a therapeutic agent is not exclusive to ancient Greece and can be found in traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, and other global traditions.
Modern Science Validates the Principle: Fields like nutrigenomics now provide a scientific basis for the "food as medicine" concept, studying how nutrients influence gene expression and impact overall health.
Contemporary Relevance: The philosophy continues to be relevant today, with a modern movement gaining traction in preventive health, dietary interventions for chronic disease, and medically tailored nutrition programs.

Who Said Food as Medicine? An Attribution with Ancient Roots

The phrase "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food" is one of the most well-known aphorisms in natural and holistic health circles. For decades, the quote has been attributed to Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician from the fifth century BC, known for his revolutionary shift from supernatural to scientific medical explanations. While the sentiment perfectly encapsulates Hippocratic philosophy, modern scholarship has found no evidence that he ever wrote this precise quote. Instead, it is seen as a distillation of his broader teachings on the importance of diet and a healthy lifestyle in preventing and treating disease.

The Historical Philosophy Behind the Quote

Even without the exact words, Hippocrates's writings and practices were deeply rooted in the belief that food, environment, and lifestyle were primary factors in determining a person's health. He emphasized careful observation of patients' dietary habits and environmental factors to diagnose and treat ailments. His therapeutic approach was often passive, relying on the body's natural healing powers (vis medicatrix naturae) and supporting that process through diet and rest. For instance, Hippocrates prescribed specific diets for various conditions, understanding that different foods had different effects on the body's balance of humors, the theory of medicine prevalent at the time.

Modern Misattribution and Its Journey

One of the most comprehensive investigations into the origin of the misquote was a 2013 study by Diana Cardenas, which found the quote only began appearing in English-language publications in the 20th century. The phrase gained significant traction in the 1970s amidst a growing interest in alternative and holistic medicine. This was likely due to a desire to lend ancient authority to modern nutritional concepts. While the misattribution is widely acknowledged by historians, the philosophy it represents continues to resonate with many.

The Role of Food as Medicine in Different Cultures

The concept of using food for its medicinal properties is not exclusive to ancient Greece. It is a universal theme found throughout history in cultures around the world:

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): In TCM, food is classified by its energetic properties (heating, cooling) and is used to balance the body's yin and yang.
Ayurveda (India): This ancient system of medicine prescribes specific diets tailored to an individual's unique constitution, or dosha, to maintain harmony.
Okinawan Culture (Japan): The people of Okinawa, known for their longevity, have a saying, nuchi gusui, meaning "medicine for life," which refers to the health benefits of their diet.
European Folk Traditions: Historically, various herbs, wild greens, and specific foods like chicken soup have been used to treat illnesses and aid recovery.

Food as Medicine: Ancient Wisdom vs. Modern Science

Modern nutritional science, including the field of nutrigenomics, increasingly provides evidence supporting the foundational ideas of the "food as medicine" concept, though without subscribing to ancient theories like humorism. Instead of humors, science now focuses on how nutrients and phytochemicals interact with genes and cellular processes.


Aspect	Ancient Hippocratic View	Modern Scientific View
Mechanism	Diet corrects the balance of the four humors (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, black bile).	Nutrients and phytochemicals influence gene expression and cellular function to reduce inflammation, provide antioxidants, and modulate immune response.
Scope	Personalized recommendations based on a patient's physical constitution, environment, and lifestyle.	Individualized nutrition plans (nutrigenomics) based on a person's unique genetic makeup and biomarkers.
Therapeutic Approach	Passive, supporting the body's innate healing ability through diet and rest.	Active, evidence-based interventions using dietary changes to prevent and manage chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
Dietary Focus	Whole, natural foods available locally at the time, such as honey, vinegar, and certain herbs.	Emphasizes whole, plant-based foods, fresh produce, and elimination of processed items, backed by extensive clinical research.

The Modern Food as Medicine Movement

Today, the "food as medicine" concept is experiencing a resurgence, with scientific research validating many of its principles. Health organizations and researchers are recognizing the powerful role of diet in preventing and managing chronic diseases. Initiatives like "medically tailored meals" and fruit and vegetable prescription programs are now being implemented to address food-related health issues. The movement emphasizes a proactive approach to health by prioritizing nutrient-dense, whole foods, reflecting Hippocrates's focus on prevention rather than just treatment.

Conclusion: The Enduring Wisdom

While Hippocrates may not have uttered the specific words "Let food be thy medicine," the principle he championed remains a cornerstone of both historical and modern healthcare. The power of nourishing the body through food has been recognized across cultures and throughout time. Today, a growing body of scientific evidence supports this ancient wisdom, reinforcing the profound connection between diet and our overall health and well-being. Ultimately, the enduring legacy is not about who said the quote, but about the timeless truth it represents.

Visit the Columbia Institute of Human Nutrition for more on modern nutritional research.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, scholarly research indicates this exact phrase cannot be found in the Hippocratic Corpus, his original collection of medical writings. The quote is a more recent, simplified summary of his broader dietary philosophies.

Hippocrates and his followers believed in a holistic approach to health, emphasizing the body's natural ability to heal. He prescribed specific dietary changes and rest to support this process, viewing diet as a primary tool for disease prevention and treatment.

While the concept has ancient roots, the quote as we know it gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly starting in the 1970s. It was adopted by the burgeoning holistic and natural health movements to emphasize the importance of nutrition.

Many modern medical professionals acknowledge the profound impact of diet on health, especially in the prevention and management of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. This field, often called nutritional science, studies how specific nutrients affect the body, moving past ancient theories.

Nutrigenomics is the scientific study of the interaction between nutrition and genes. It relates directly to the 'food as medicine' concept by providing evidence of how dietary components can influence gene expression and health on a molecular level.

Yes, many cultures have traditions of using food for its medicinal properties. Examples include Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which balances food based on energetic properties, and the Indian system of Ayurveda, which uses diet tailored to an individual's constitution.

No. While a healthy diet is crucial for health, it is not a substitute for evidence-based medical treatment. Misinterpreting the 'food as medicine' idea to forgo necessary medical care can be dangerous, especially for serious conditions.