Home HEALTH FOOD Importance of Chewing Food

Importance of Chewing Food

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Slow Down and Take Time to Chew Your Food!

Source: WHFoods.com

When you chew your food properly, your body releases digestive enzymes that help to break down food in the stomach so that your body can convert it into energy. When food isn’t digested properly, you could suffer from low energy, or even a nutritional deficiency if poor chewing becomes a lifelong habit.

WHY IS CHEWING YOUR FOOD SO IMPORTANT?


The physical process of chewing food in your mouth helps to break down larger particles of food into smaller particles.  This helps to reduce
stress on the esophagus and helps the stomach further break down the food at a faster rate.  When you chew each mouthful properly, you also release a lot of saliva which contains digestive enzymes.  As you release these enzymes into the throat and stomach, you further improve the digestive process.  If the food you eat contains any fats, you’ll also start to absorb some of the nutrients with the help of enzymes located under your tongue.

Throughout the chewing process, the body undergoes several processes that trigger digestion.  Digestion is one of the most energy-consuming processes of the body, so it’s essential that you help your body along by doing your part!


OTHER REASONS TO CHEW YOUR FOOD PROPERLY

  • Reduce the risk of bacterial overgrowth – food particles that aren’t broken down properly can cause bacterial overgrowth in the colon which leads to indigestion, bloating and constipation.
  • Helping food move through the digestive tract – chewing your food sends messages to the gastrointestinal system that food is on its way.  This triggers hydrochloric acid production which helps speed up the digestive process.
  • Relaxes the lower stomach – your lower muscle needs to relax before food can be channeled to the intestines. Releasing saliva helps to relax the lower stomach and also speeds up the digestive process.

HOW MANY TIMES SHOULD YOU CHEW YOUR FOOD?


The number of times you chew really depends on the type of food you consume.  Soft fruits and vegetables will break down more easily than chicken or steak, so you will need to make sure you chew your food as thoroughly as possible.  According to the experts at Ohio State University, you should chew softer foods 5-10 times, and harder foods up to 30 times before swallowing. (Source: netwellnes.org)

Other Healthy Eating Tips

[tabs slidertype=”top tabs” fx=”slide” auto=”yes”][tabcontainer] [tabtext]1[/tabtext] [tabtext]2[/tabtext] [tabtext]3[/tabtext] [tabtext]4[/tabtext] [/tabcontainer] [tabcontent] [tab]In addition to chewing your food completely, there are several other ways to improve digestion and reduce the risk of constipation and bloating.[/tab] [tab]Avoid drinking water or beverages while eating. Too much liquid in the stomach will slow down digestion. However, you can drink up 20-30 minutes before or after your meal to avoid dehydration the rest of the day.[/tab] [tab]Concentrate on the meal when eating: Avoid distractions such as television or eating on the run so that you are calm and focused during the meal. This also makes for a more enjoyable meal.[/tab] [tab]Make sure you’re swallowing the tiniest pieces possible. If you can still feel parts of the food in your mouth, you haven’t chewed it enough![/tab] [/tabcontent] [/tabs]


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