Reasons for Chewing Your Food Thoroughly

Everybody knows you need a good diet to remain strong and healthy, but did you realise that chewing your food is crucial for good health? Chewing your food breaks it down, increasing the surface area of the food, exposing it to saliva that contains essential enzymes, helping to begin

the process of digestion. Listed below are some reasons why you should chew your food thoroughly.

1. Not Digesting Food Properly

When you swallow food without chewing thoroughly, your saliva doesn’t get a chance to begin digesting your food. This can lead to poor nutrient absorption, increasing the risk of acid reflux, heartburn and constipation.

2. A Higher Risk of Diabetes

A Japanese study found that chewing food and eating more slowly helps to prevent diabetes, even when the results were adjusted to take other factors into account.

3. Wasting Nutrients

Failing to chew your food properly allows larger chunks to move through your system, so fewer nutrients are absorbed.

4. Affecting Your Mood

People who don’t chew their food enough are more at risk of feeling bloated or having excess gas, affecting them physically and emotionally. Also, when you cannot absorb all the nutrients in foods, you are more likely to feel lethargic and out of sorts.

5. Unwanted Weight Gain

When you chew thoroughly, your body can register a feeling of fullness more efficiently, preventing overeating. Also, you’re more likely to be conscious about the amount you are eating and to think about whether you actually need any more to eat.

6. A Higher Risk of Food Poisoning

Your saliva contains a specific enzyme that helps to destroy pathogens found in food and which can lead to food poisoning.