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Hacking Health: The Only Book You’ll Ever Need to Live Your Healthiest Life
We live in a world where there is a new fad diet, superfood, supplement or nutrition theory every month. There are so many tricks to optimizing workouts, peak performance, burning fat, living longer, sleeping better and biohacking your immune system. Wellness has become a part of mainstream discourse like never before, and the result is an overwhelming barrage of seemingly contradictory information.
But here's one simple truth: good health impacts every aspect of life, be it productivity at work, interpersonal relationships or a balanced family life. In Hacking Health, Mukesh Bansal takes on the mammoth task of demystifying the science, simplifying the research and tracing the story of our relationship with our body. Through a combination of personal experience and cutting-edge science, this is a book that draws from ancient wisdom and also debunks unscientific myths to help you make smart choices in pursuit of good health. From nutrition and fitness to sleep and immunity, weight management and mental health to ageing and longevity, this book delves into the breadth and depth of holistic health and helps you navigate the lines between science and pseudoscience.
Can we use science to hack the human body's functioning and be our most efficient, fittest and happiest selves? Hacking Health takes a 360-degree approach to answer this very question and help you unlock your body's potential.
But here's one simple truth: good health impacts every aspect of life, be it productivity at work, interpersonal relationships or a balanced family life. In Hacking Health, Mukesh Bansal takes on the mammoth task of demystifying the science, simplifying the research and tracing the story of our relationship with our body. Through a combination of personal experience and cutting-edge science, this is a book that draws from ancient wisdom and also debunks unscientific myths to help you make smart choices in pursuit of good health. From nutrition and fitness to sleep and immunity, weight management and mental health to ageing and longevity, this book delves into the breadth and depth of holistic health and helps you navigate the lines between science and pseudoscience.
Can we use science to hack the human body's functioning and be our most efficient, fittest and happiest selves? Hacking Health takes a 360-degree approach to answer this very question and help you unlock your body's potential.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published January 23, 2023
196 people are currently reading
407 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 28, 2023
Having existed for a good (?) 30 years, and having read a handful well written books on endurance sports, food, human biology, I think there are better books in the market to inform and nudge one to better lifestyle choices.
This one, though, may have been interesting if it were a mere blog post - the book is repetitive, paragraphs and chapters flow into each other because they are similar; and the paragraphs and chapters themselves are not tightly edited either.
Also, the self-help narrative is a bit presumptive for my liking. The book engages a bit too deeply with the idea of increasing longevity to take it seriously, too.
There's nothing new to gain here. Time is better spent out for a run.
This one, though, may have been interesting if it were a mere blog post - the book is repetitive, paragraphs and chapters flow into each other because they are similar; and the paragraphs and chapters themselves are not tightly edited either.
Also, the self-help narrative is a bit presumptive for my liking. The book engages a bit too deeply with the idea of increasing longevity to take it seriously, too.
There's nothing new to gain here. Time is better spent out for a run.
January 25, 2023
The best health book that I have ever read. It covers all aspects of health and provides very practical tips that we can implement.
The last chapter ‘Becoming superhuman’ is especially very interesting and informative. I strongly recommend reading this book.
A few of my favourite quotes are :
“Just because you are eating healthy doesn’t mean you should be eating all the time. In fact, don’t be shy about skipping a meal every now and then, to give your gut a much needed break”
“Exercising a few times a week cannot make up for an otherwise sedentary lifestyle. The best way to reduce the number of sedentary hours in our days is to simply move more often—whether this means walking to work, doing more household chores or even setting up standing meetings.”
“If you find yourself feeling inadequate or depressed after spending time on your social media feeds, consider taking a break or following people who don’t make you feel bad for not being ‘happy’ or ‘perfect’.
“Sleep more, eat less and always move.”
The last chapter ‘Becoming superhuman’ is especially very interesting and informative. I strongly recommend reading this book.
A few of my favourite quotes are :
“Just because you are eating healthy doesn’t mean you should be eating all the time. In fact, don’t be shy about skipping a meal every now and then, to give your gut a much needed break”
“Exercising a few times a week cannot make up for an otherwise sedentary lifestyle. The best way to reduce the number of sedentary hours in our days is to simply move more often—whether this means walking to work, doing more household chores or even setting up standing meetings.”
“If you find yourself feeling inadequate or depressed after spending time on your social media feeds, consider taking a break or following people who don’t make you feel bad for not being ‘happy’ or ‘perfect’.
“Sleep more, eat less and always move.”
Read
March 8, 2025acking Health by Mukesh Bansal is an insightful guide to optimizing health through science-backed principles and holistic well-being. Drawing from cutting-edge research in genetics, neuroscience, and nutrition, Bansal breaks down the key pillars of longevity, fitness, and mental resilience. The book blends personal anecdotes, expert insights, and practical strategies to help readers take charge of their health. With a focus on habits, sleep, exercise, and mindfulness, Hacking Health is a must-read for anyone looking to enhance their physical and mental well-being. Engaging and informative, this book serves as a roadmap to a healthier, more energetic life.
August 17, 2024
A basic introduction towards fitness and health. Good book for beginners.
February 3, 2024
Fair packaging of all the mainstream generic health advice, but not very argumentative (hence not very convincing for me). Conveys key ideas from a lot of reference material, including the latest research, which the reader can explore further if interested. Some ideas like over-breathing, limiting food intake for good health, and over-exercise were surprising for me. Last few chapters can be skipped if you don't need technical details/latest research, as they don't give any new actionable insights for general health. Felt that the book could be more crisp (less redundant), and material could have been presented in a better way at places (say by adding graphs or diagrams). Overall, it was a good casual read to start on this topic.
August 3, 2025
I picked up Hacking Health by Mukesh Bansal expecting a different book. I thought it would be more of an autobiography—perhaps a behind-the-scenes look at his entrepreneurial journey with Cult, or even insights from his earlier startup days at Myntra. But to be fair, the title does point in another direction. The book is about living a healthy life - why it matters, what’s getting in the way, and how we can realistically incorporate better choices into our daily lives.
At its core, the message is simple: sleep well, eat less, move more. These are not new ideas—but in the chaos of modern life, they’re often overlooked. The book reminds us that the key is to build up health day-by-day with small changes which all add up!
Beyond this foundational message, Bansal dives into a broad range of topics: food and diet trends, fitness and recovery, sleep cycles and quality, mindfulness and mental health, immunity, and weight management. He also touches on the growing health-tech landscape—highlighting gadgets like the Oura ring, biological age testing, and “extreme health” centers like Upgrade Labs, Next Health, and Health Nucleus.
Much of the information will be familiar to anyone who follows health and wellness content. But I found the sections on extreme centers particularly intriguing. I’ve followed scientists like David Sinclair and trends in genomics, gut health, and micronutrient testing, body imaging and bio markers —but I hadn’t encountered these futuristic wellness labs before. They reflect our growing obsession with longevity and even immortality. Whether or not these technologies deliver on their promise, they’re certainly worth watching.
Ultimately, few would argue against the value of a healthy lifestyle. Whether you rely on high-end diagnostics and new tech- toys or just lace up your running shoes, the real challenge lies in building the motivation and discipline to stick with it—day by day.
It was a slow read for me—something best taken in a few pages at a time over several days. Trying to power through in one go made it hard to stay engaged.
At its core, the message is simple: sleep well, eat less, move more. These are not new ideas—but in the chaos of modern life, they’re often overlooked. The book reminds us that the key is to build up health day-by-day with small changes which all add up!
Beyond this foundational message, Bansal dives into a broad range of topics: food and diet trends, fitness and recovery, sleep cycles and quality, mindfulness and mental health, immunity, and weight management. He also touches on the growing health-tech landscape—highlighting gadgets like the Oura ring, biological age testing, and “extreme health” centers like Upgrade Labs, Next Health, and Health Nucleus.
Much of the information will be familiar to anyone who follows health and wellness content. But I found the sections on extreme centers particularly intriguing. I’ve followed scientists like David Sinclair and trends in genomics, gut health, and micronutrient testing, body imaging and bio markers —but I hadn’t encountered these futuristic wellness labs before. They reflect our growing obsession with longevity and even immortality. Whether or not these technologies deliver on their promise, they’re certainly worth watching.
Ultimately, few would argue against the value of a healthy lifestyle. Whether you rely on high-end diagnostics and new tech- toys or just lace up your running shoes, the real challenge lies in building the motivation and discipline to stick with it—day by day.
It was a slow read for me—something best taken in a few pages at a time over several days. Trying to power through in one go made it hard to stay engaged.
March 3, 2023
There's no doubt that we all know the importance of health and fitness and it's also a widely recognised truth that there's a new fad diey, superfood, nutrition and there are multiple tricks to optimising workouts and burning fat, every month.
We have a lot of books based on health and fitness, that get preachy about moving and give tips on how we can inculcate fitness habits. What's different about this one? It is that this one is backed with research and scientific discussions, talks extensively about some exciting and interesting topics related to health and wellness, and still manages to remain reader-friendly, and gives out hacks to improve the lifestyle and fitness with discussions about health, food and diets, fitness and recovery, sleep, breath and meditation, weight management, keeping disease at bay, managing mental health, ageing and longevity, and becoming superhuman.
Busting myths, sharing health hacks, a great guide to get us moving, be inspired and to start taking little steps for our own sakes although it at times gets bit repetitive. It's a science-based description and precisely a collection of all information from several books based on the genre. I was kind of sceptical while picking this one up, like what if this book turns out to be just an advertisement of his brand, Cult.fit? But I was wrong, it is worth reading.
My favourite part- The author Mukesh Bansal, founder of Myntra and CEO of Cult.fit has chosen to donate all proceeds from this book to the Live Love Laugh Foundation, founded by Deepika Padukone, towards supporting their impact initiatives in both rural and urban parts of India.
We have a lot of books based on health and fitness, that get preachy about moving and give tips on how we can inculcate fitness habits. What's different about this one? It is that this one is backed with research and scientific discussions, talks extensively about some exciting and interesting topics related to health and wellness, and still manages to remain reader-friendly, and gives out hacks to improve the lifestyle and fitness with discussions about health, food and diets, fitness and recovery, sleep, breath and meditation, weight management, keeping disease at bay, managing mental health, ageing and longevity, and becoming superhuman.
Busting myths, sharing health hacks, a great guide to get us moving, be inspired and to start taking little steps for our own sakes although it at times gets bit repetitive. It's a science-based description and precisely a collection of all information from several books based on the genre. I was kind of sceptical while picking this one up, like what if this book turns out to be just an advertisement of his brand, Cult.fit? But I was wrong, it is worth reading.
My favourite part- The author Mukesh Bansal, founder of Myntra and CEO of Cult.fit has chosen to donate all proceeds from this book to the Live Love Laugh Foundation, founded by Deepika Padukone, towards supporting their impact initiatives in both rural and urban parts of India.
April 4, 2023
" After switching off for the day, you could have a warm bath, listen to some soothing music, read a book, meditate or drink some herbal tea."
These are some wise words that I extracted from this informative book about health by the author, Mukesh Bansal. Reading this book was a wonderful experience for me since it is a detailed analysis of how a person can maintain a good health. The different ways of living a healthy life like managing weight, doing exercise, meditation, proper sleep, good and healthy diet and a lot more is discussed in the book.
It contains a lot of insights into the different kinds of movements, patterns, nature of diseases and lot more information. This book will definitely help to understand what a healthy living is. I personally has been benefited by reading and finding out the problems with my own food habits.
I personally find this book very informative and scientific. With the help of an easy writing, proper explanation and a lot of charts and blocks, the author has made this book a wonderful place to reside for a healthy lifestyle.
Hacking health is what you need to grab right away.
These are some wise words that I extracted from this informative book about health by the author, Mukesh Bansal. Reading this book was a wonderful experience for me since it is a detailed analysis of how a person can maintain a good health. The different ways of living a healthy life like managing weight, doing exercise, meditation, proper sleep, good and healthy diet and a lot more is discussed in the book.
It contains a lot of insights into the different kinds of movements, patterns, nature of diseases and lot more information. This book will definitely help to understand what a healthy living is. I personally has been benefited by reading and finding out the problems with my own food habits.
I personally find this book very informative and scientific. With the help of an easy writing, proper explanation and a lot of charts and blocks, the author has made this book a wonderful place to reside for a healthy lifestyle.
Hacking health is what you need to grab right away.
March 11, 2023
I picked up this book because I know Mukesh Bansal from various dimensions of work. Sometimes it becomes more interesting when we listen to something or read by someone we know or follow.
I wanted to check my health routine and how many things are required to achieve physical and mental well-being. In this book, the author has covered all the necessary topics that serve the purpose of forming a complete healthy lifestyle.
He has started this book with a very practical note where he shared his own medical condition and how he cured it. Reading this book will take you deeper into the biological aspects of our lives. He has dissected every possible factor that leads to a healthy life.
He has shared deep insights on fasting, dieting, sleep, exercise, aging and longevity, healing, and recovery, etc. In this compact book, every topic is vividly discussed, which gives a wide range of understanding.
If you want to gain nuggets of wisdom on health and happiness, you should definitely consider reading this book.
I wanted to check my health routine and how many things are required to achieve physical and mental well-being. In this book, the author has covered all the necessary topics that serve the purpose of forming a complete healthy lifestyle.
He has started this book with a very practical note where he shared his own medical condition and how he cured it. Reading this book will take you deeper into the biological aspects of our lives. He has dissected every possible factor that leads to a healthy life.
He has shared deep insights on fasting, dieting, sleep, exercise, aging and longevity, healing, and recovery, etc. In this compact book, every topic is vividly discussed, which gives a wide range of understanding.
If you want to gain nuggets of wisdom on health and happiness, you should definitely consider reading this book.
July 31, 2023
Hacking health
Good read, I read only chapters which were appealing/new to me. Mukesh is founder of startup curefit they probably have more health data than most companies.
Here are the suggestions for healthy life:
EAT LESS, SLEEP MORE AND MOVE MORE
Eat your meal early at least 4 hours before you sleep so digestive system is at not working, our body id relaxed and goes in deep sleep.
Use it or loose it: if we don’t use our muscles our body will start losing/shrinking that muscle and use energy for other place. Same with mental ability use it or lose it
Purpose in life: Need reason to get out of bed keeps you healthy. E.g. parents or grandparents need a purpose like want to watch kids grow
Longetivity
Telomers are goalkeepers of cell.By protecting then leads to instability of genes. We cab civil some part of ageing by looking after our Telomers (meditation,moderate exercise helps)
Book peter Hollins how to build better brain
The ageing brain needs exercise and engagement just as the ageing body does.
Good read, I read only chapters which were appealing/new to me. Mukesh is founder of startup curefit they probably have more health data than most companies.
Here are the suggestions for healthy life:
EAT LESS, SLEEP MORE AND MOVE MORE
Eat your meal early at least 4 hours before you sleep so digestive system is at not working, our body id relaxed and goes in deep sleep.
Use it or loose it: if we don’t use our muscles our body will start losing/shrinking that muscle and use energy for other place. Same with mental ability use it or lose it
Purpose in life: Need reason to get out of bed keeps you healthy. E.g. parents or grandparents need a purpose like want to watch kids grow
Longetivity
Telomers are goalkeepers of cell.By protecting then leads to instability of genes. We cab civil some part of ageing by looking after our Telomers (meditation,moderate exercise helps)
Book peter Hollins how to build better brain
The ageing brain needs exercise and engagement just as the ageing body does.
September 28, 2024
Hacking Health: The Only Book You will Ever Need to Live Your Healthiest Life is an eye-opening guide that empowers readers to take control of their health through a blend of science and practical advice. The author masterfully demystifies complex health concepts, making them accessible and engaging for everyone, regardless of their prior knowledge. The book is packed with actionable tips, innovative strategies, and a holistic approach that covers everything from nutrition and exercise to mental well-being and preventive care, including essential topics like the bayad center philhealth form. What sets it apart is its emphasis on personal empowerment; it encourages readers to become active participants in their health journeys.
With relatable anecdotes and a clear, motivating tone, Hacking Health inspires readers to rethink their habits and make sustainable changes. Whether you’re a health novice or a seasoned wellness enthusiast, this book is a valuable resource that could truly transform your life.
With relatable anecdotes and a clear, motivating tone, Hacking Health inspires readers to rethink their habits and make sustainable changes. Whether you’re a health novice or a seasoned wellness enthusiast, this book is a valuable resource that could truly transform your life.
December 31, 2023
This book can be perfect for people who want to make new year resolutions related to health. This is a comprehensive guide with personal incidents of Myntra CEO wherever required. This book is his Approach to health, more like an autobiography but only from a health perspective. Example we now know he tracks everything and uses an Aura brand watch, apart from other trendy devices.
Doing deep inside the book, the book is conceptually divided into 4 parts
1. Fundamentals of Good Health
2. The Basics
3. Tackling Health Goals
4. The Future
The author is very optimistic about the future and the progress we are making in healthcare. Though from my perspective the more traditional we are the better are off atleast in terms of following lifestlye. AS there's no denying the fact that most garbage comes from western countries in name of modernisation and then they only sell the eastern concepts in a packaged manner which is essentially free.
Doing deep inside the book, the book is conceptually divided into 4 parts
1. Fundamentals of Good Health
2. The Basics
3. Tackling Health Goals
4. The Future
The author is very optimistic about the future and the progress we are making in healthcare. Though from my perspective the more traditional we are the better are off atleast in terms of following lifestlye. AS there's no denying the fact that most garbage comes from western countries in name of modernisation and then they only sell the eastern concepts in a packaged manner which is essentially free.
September 28, 2023
This is one of the best books on health I have read.
Health & related things didn't feel inclusive for people who actually needed it.
Mukesh invites us to the world of health. Broadens the scope of it beyond just aesthetics and appearances.
From personal anecdotes, history of a topic, what should be good (without being too preachy about it), reasoning of why we should do it, summary of a chapter and action items, makes this book not just a good read but something that we can incorporate in our day-2-day.
I have started doing a few things and I have never been excited regarding my health. I hope my excitement continues! 🤞
Health & related things didn't feel inclusive for people who actually needed it.
Mukesh invites us to the world of health. Broadens the scope of it beyond just aesthetics and appearances.
From personal anecdotes, history of a topic, what should be good (without being too preachy about it), reasoning of why we should do it, summary of a chapter and action items, makes this book not just a good read but something that we can incorporate in our day-2-day.
I have started doing a few things and I have never been excited regarding my health. I hope my excitement continues! 🤞
October 13, 2023
I think its a pretty good book, covers a lot but by no means is it the only definitive guide to health. My key concern was that you have to go through a lot of data to distill the real takeaways which can be actionable. I think the idea of the author was to put tons of data and science and then sprinkle some basic takeaways. Its like you can sense a pattern here - how one makes a power point deck with a certain format in mind. It isnt a particularly enjoyable book reading wise but there are definitely some decently good takeaways - you just have to work hard to find them. All in all, wouldn't recommend as much.
November 1, 2023
A fantastic book for anyone who is interested in health & fitness. I actually got to know more about the health than I earlier did. This definitely helped in broadening my knowledge about the health.
The only improvement which I think for this book is the last part which mostly deals with the future of science and how it will improve the health. This part for me was little slow and boring, while rest were thoroughly engaging.
If this last part can be improved, it will become the perfect book for health.
The only improvement which I think for this book is the last part which mostly deals with the future of science and how it will improve the health. This part for me was little slow and boring, while rest were thoroughly engaging.
If this last part can be improved, it will become the perfect book for health.
February 26, 2023
Motivating & a Good read !! For anyone who seriously want to work on their health/wellness journey this book will be a complete guide to all foundational Healthy habits & lifestyle hacks. Well researched, lots of scientific data, very practical tips to restart & work on your over all Health. I particularly enjoyed reading the chapter on Sleep, Meditation & Mental Health. Everything is interrelated & the book captures all important aspects of healthy lifestyle & mindset.
December 24, 2023
Good book and a well researched piece of work
Mukesh sir is immensely knowledgeable about this topic.
The book contains a lot of useful information.
He shared useful information about mental health and future of health industry.
Some of the information may be dry and one point I was looking forward to was some actionable things related to food(recipes) was missing.
Overall a very good book
Mukesh sir is immensely knowledgeable about this topic.
The book contains a lot of useful information.
He shared useful information about mental health and future of health industry.
Some of the information may be dry and one point I was looking forward to was some actionable things related to food(recipes) was missing.
Overall a very good book
February 12, 2024
A good book for starters. It covers a lot of ground and starts with the basics. It is for someone who wants to understand how to live a better and fulfilling life.
In summary, "Eat less, sleep more and always move". Meditation, keeping the mind engaged, and have a good social life for mental health.
Along with these "Stop smoking, occasional drinking and cutting sugar" are the keys for hacking health.
In summary, "Eat less, sleep more and always move". Meditation, keeping the mind engaged, and have a good social life for mental health.
Along with these "Stop smoking, occasional drinking and cutting sugar" are the keys for hacking health.
Read
February 3, 2023A very helpful collection of science backed health concepts, practical tools and interesting anecdotes from the author's life. I find it useful to refer back to it whenever I am in doubt about any aspect of my health habits. The book's one line synopsis, "Eat less, Sleep more, Always move", is my primary life mantra now!
Happy Reading!
Happy Reading!
August 5, 2023
Hooter: Sleep more, eat less and keep moving are the mantras to healthy living
Through personal health scares and having worked in the health business, Mukesh summarises all his experiences and learnings towards three major concepts of sleeping more, eating less and always moving. He shares his experiences and some background on why he suggests the same across these three mantras.
Through personal health scares and having worked in the health business, Mukesh summarises all his experiences and learnings towards three major concepts of sleeping more, eating less and always moving. He shares his experiences and some background on why he suggests the same across these three mantras.
February 7, 2025
This book explains in a succinct manner
1) History, Present and future of health
2) The functioning in our bodies that we aren't privy of
3) How humans can live a long and healthy life by discarding what is considered an unalterable lifestyle diseases such as stress and obesity among others and better ourselves by inculcating in us the healthy habits.
1) History, Present and future of health
2) The functioning in our bodies that we aren't privy of
3) How humans can live a long and healthy life by discarding what is considered an unalterable lifestyle diseases such as stress and obesity among others and better ourselves by inculcating in us the healthy habits.
February 2, 2023
It’s interesting how health can be so simple and so complicated at the same time.
I think I was quite enthused to pick this up at the beginning of the year, and it gets the basics right. It helps me read and understand my body in a manner that works.
Really excited to implement some of the simple tips.
I think I was quite enthused to pick this up at the beginning of the year, and it gets the basics right. It helps me read and understand my body in a manner that works.
Really excited to implement some of the simple tips.
February 6, 2023
What a great book to start my reading and health journey!
It is such a breezy, easy read. I understand so well how to read texts now and how to plan my life and build habits! Amazing stories and particularly love the insets :)
It is such a breezy, easy read. I understand so well how to read texts now and how to plan my life and build habits! Amazing stories and particularly love the insets :)
April 30, 2023
Quite a comprehensive book on health and fitness with hacks, personal experiences and learning’s of Mukesh included. Does become repetitive at times though. Good overall read though for a novice on health aspects.
May 5, 2023
A good starting point towards ones health journey. The book covers the wide spectrum of health & wellness in a simple manner. One gets the ideas & knowledge regarding diet, exercise, genetics, immunity & the innovations that is happening in this space.
July 26, 2023
The book serves as a valuable guide for individuals who are just starting to prioritize their health and well-being. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on fundamentals like diet, sleep, exercise, stress management, and being socially active.
September 25, 2023
Easy read. Brings together all aspects of health - physical, mental, spiritual, sleep ET al. Good references and updated till today on all of these. New tech elements of oura ring, halo sport are interesting. Plan to take up on intermittent fasting soon.
October 18, 2023
A detailed and well written & collective book on various aspects on health, fitness and well-being, including but not limited to eating less, fasting, gym, yoga, supplements, macro nutrients, micro nutrients, sleep, meditation, aging, and more.
May 11, 2024
This is an eye opener. First of all it does not brag about Cult fit brand which you might think on seeing the cover. Mukesh Bansal has deep dived into most of the lifestyle improvement topics which are easy to understand and implement. Would highly recommend!
November 12, 2024
terminally online so you'd expect a holistic intro to health topics to be nothing new, yet this involved so much research that ultimately undiscovered nuggets started flowing.
even better, for someone who is occasionally online.
even better, for someone who is occasionally online.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews