4 Reasons to Chew Your Food Slowly
Chewing slowly improves your digestion process.
When you chew your food, it gets broken down into smaller pieces which are easier to digest.
Mixed with saliva, chewing also allows your body to extract the greatest possible amount of nutrients from the food you eat.
Chewing is often a habit or reflex done without any conscious effort. However, the process of chewing is quite important to your overall health and serves as the first step of your digestion process.
Proper digestion starts in your mouth. When eating, be sure to chew your food thoroughly to get the full benefit out of it.
Remember to always consume plenty of water in between meals and maintain regular dental visits to ensure optimum oral health.
Here are a few reasons to consider slower chewing at your next meal:
1. It’s great for your teeth. The bones and muscles in your mouth get a workout when you chew, which helps keep them actively strong.
2. Increased saliva production. The more you chew, the more saliva forms in your mouth which helps to clear food out from between your teeth and also makes swallowing easier.
3. You’ll absorb more nutrients and energy from your food. By slowing down your chewing habits, you’ll help to break down your food much more, maximising your intake of nutrients.
4. Chewing longer helps you maintain a healthy weight. The longer you chew, the more time it takes you to finish your meal. This often results in you eating less food, preventing overeating.