6 Important Benefits of Chewing your Food
By Nmami Agarwal 20-Dec 2021 Reading Time: 4 Mins
The most important aspect of food we eat is the one that most people do not pay much attention to – chewing! Just because it is so obvious to chew food, like breathing, people seem to neglect its importance.
People are often in a hurry to finish their food which can pose many health issues. Poor digestion, slow absorption of nutrients, tooth problems, and consistent overeating are some of them because the body is not getting any nutrition from the poorly chewed food. For better health, let us tell you the major benefits of chewing your food properly:
- Good for oral health: When we chew, we produce saliva and saliva is washing away food debris and the bacteria that were left in our mouths. Because of this, we don’t get cavities or gingivitis. If you are scared of the dentist just start taking chewing seriously to save doctor’s appointment.
- Aids in the digestion process: Chewing is an essential part of digestion. The better you chew, the better your food will be broken down with the help of digestives enzymes released in your mouth before entering your stomach. When food is properly broken down in the body, the risk of bloating and adverse GI symptoms will improve effectively.
- Maintain a healthy weight: When you consciously chew, you’ll naturally slow down how quickly you’re eating. When you slow down how quickly you are eating, you give yourself time to be aware of your natural hunger and satiety cues, which can decrease your risk of overeating. Try chewing each bite from 15 to 30 times depending on the food you eat. Notice how well it changes the pace of your meal.
- Helps to enjoy and taste food better: Many people pay close attention to the first bite of food then mindlessly gobble down the rest of their meal. Keeping in mind taste plays an important role in why you choose one food over another, it would make sense for you to want to take the time to relish and appreciate each bite you eat.
- Boost nutrient absorption: The more you chew your food, the more nutrients you will absorb. As we eat to nourish our bodies, this is an important point to make. If you properly chew your food, it will be digested and metabolized more effectively in the body.
- Reduces the risk of carcinogenic production: Cancer is one deadly disease that should be prevented at all costs. When you chew your food, an enzyme called peroxidise present in the saliva of your mouth helps to suppress carcinogens in food, thus preventing cancer.
Over to you:
If you chew your food until its liquid, you are definitely on a right track! Avoid taking any liquids along with your food at least 15 minutes before and after your meal for better digestion and absorption of nutrients. Focus only on eating and chewing your food, and reduce any distractions.