Why is Chewing Food Necessary?
Promotes digestion
Why is chewing important for digestion?
Chewing your food is an important part of the digestive process, as it helps to trigger the production of hydrochloric acid and relaxes the lower stomach for further digestion. This was reported by Doctors Beyond Medicine in 2020, and further studies have shown that proper chewing of food aids in better nutrient absorption.
How can chewing food properly improve health?
Chewing food properly has many benefits, including improved digestion, absorption of nutrients, and better taste. Via a study conducted by the Institute of Food Technologists, chewing almonds for a longer period of time leads to better absorption of particles into the body. Chewing food reduces the amount of excess bacteria in the intestines.
What is chemical digestion?
Chemical digestion is the process of breaking down food into smaller molecules in order to release nutrients for absorption, which begins in the mouth with the release of saliva containing digestive enzymes. Via Healthline, 2018, the saliva and digestive enzymes are responsible for breaking down complex carbohydrates into simple sugars.
Enhances flavor
How does chewing food help maintain dental hygiene?
Chewing food helps us maintain healthy teeth and gums, preventing cavities and gingivitis. From research from Roswitha Herman (2020) on roswithaherman.com, chewing food produces saliva that washes away food debris and bacteria in the mouth, promoting dental hygiene. Chewing food helps break down complex carbohydrates which aids digestion.
Why is chewing food important for digestion?
Chewing your food is essential to a healthy digestion, as it sends signals to the gastrointestinal system that food is coming and produces hydrochloric acid to speed up the digestive process and relax the lower stomach. From Doctors Beyond Medicine, this helps the food move through the digestive tract. Chewing helps improve nutrient absorption and aids in weight management.
Chewing your food properly is essential for digestion, as it allows saliva to break down fats and starches more effectively. Cited on The Kitchn, saliva contains enzymes that only work if the food is chewed and covered with saliva, so that the enzymes can break down the food more effectively. Chewing food properly also helps to reduce the risk of choking.
Aids in breaking down food
Why is it important to chew food thoroughly?
Chewing your food thoroughly is essential for proper digestion and nutrient absorption, as saliva plays an important role in breaking down food. Via OPEX Fitness, taking your time when eating, and chewing at least 30 times before swallowing, can help to ensure that the stomach has enough space and time needed to absorb the nutrients digested. It is recommended to avoid drinking liquids 15 minutes before or after any meal.
What is chemical digestion?
Chemical digestion is a process of breaking down food by using enzymes, which is in addition to the mechanical digestion that involves physical movements. Last medically reviewed on September 5, 2018 by Healthline Medical Team, chemical digestion is also known to be related to the breakdown of complex macromolecules into simpler components for absorption.
What is the process of digestion?
Digestion is an essential process for our bodies to absorb food and use it, and it takes place in the digestive system which starts at the mouth and ends at the anus. Cited from BBC Bitesize, 2020, after we swallow, food passes through the oesophagus to the stomach, where it is broken down even further by enzymes and acids. Digestion is an important process that helps maintain homeostasis in our body.
Enhances salivary production
What are the four salivary glands?
Salivation is a key factor in the digestive process, as it helps to moisten food prior to digestion. According to StatPearls published by the NCBI Bookshelf in 2020, saliva is produced by four salivary glands - submandibular, parotid, sublingual, and submucosal. Saliva contains digestive enzymes that help break down food before it reaches the stomach.
What role does saliva play in the body?
Saliva in the mouth is a biofluid produced by three pairs of major salivary glands and many minor submucosal salivary glands, with the volume of saliva secreted dependent on the intensity and type of taste and nerve-mediated reflex. As indicated by a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health in 2015, saliva plays a role in digestion, lubrication, and protection from bacteria and viruses.
Can chewing gum increase saliva production?
Chewing gum is an effective way to increase saliva production, as it tells the body to produce saliva to process the food. As reported by wikiHow, one of the quickest and easiest ways to produce more saliva is to pop a stick of gum in your mouth and chew it. It is recommended to use sugar-free gum if you have difficulty producing saliva. Saliva also helps neutralize acids in the mouth and helps protect teeth from decay.
Increases nutrient absorption
How can proper chewing help maximize nutrition absorption?
Properly chewing your food can help maximize nutrient absorption, according to US News & World Report in 2015. This is because chewing breaks down the food so that the body can more easily digest and absorb the nutrients. A study conducted by Harvard Medical School found that eating slowly can help reduce calorie intake.
What is chemical digestion?
Chemical digestion is an essential part of the digestive process which helps the body to absorb nutrients from the foods we eat. As mentioned in Healthline (2018), chemical digestion involves various substances to break down food into smaller components, allowing for proper absorption of nutrients in the body. It is known that different enzymes are involved in chemical digestion which help break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into their respective molecules.
Does chewing food thoroughly improve digestion?
Chewing food thoroughly helps to improve digestion, boost nutrient absorption and prevent bloating. According to Doctors Beyond Medicine, when food is properly broken down, the risk of adverse GI symptoms will improve, allowing for more nutrients to be absorbed. Research has found that when food is properly broken down, it is more effectively digested and metabolized.
Enhances oral health
How many times should we chew our food?
Chewing your food an estimated 32 times before swallowing is recommended by experts for optimal digestion. As mentioned in Healthline, experts have a lot to say about chewing and it takes fewer chews to break down soft and more fibrous foods. It is important to note that the digestive process begins in the mouth through the breaking down of starches.
Does chewing thoroughly help prevent obesity?
Chewing thoroughly brings various health benefits, such as aiding digestion and absorption, enhancing taste, and preventing obesity. An info from Lion Corporation, chewing thoroughly and eating slowly can help prevent overeating and therefore obesity. Research has shown that chewing food properly helps in the absorption of essential nutrients by breaking down food particles more efficiently.
What are the impacts of oral health on quality of life?
Oral health is essential for general health and well-being, as it greatly influences quality of life according to WHO/Europe. It is defined as a state of being free from mouth and facial pain, oral diseases and disorders, which can limit an individuals capacity in biting, chewing, smiling, speaking and psychosocial well-being. In the European region, oral diseases are a widespread public health issue.
Stimulates appetite
Why is chewing food thoroughly important?
Chewing food thoroughly is an important part of the digestion process, as it helps to trigger hydrochloric acid production and relaxes the lower stomach for food to move through the digestive tract. As indicated by Doctors Beyond Medicine, this allows for easier and faster digestion. Research also shows that chewing your food slowly and mindfully can help to improve your overall health by reducing stress levels and aiding in weight loss.
What role does gastrin play in digestion?
Gastrin is a hormone that helps regulate hunger and digestion by stimulating hydrochloric acid, pepsinogen, and glucagon production. Attributed to Verywell Fit, gastrin is released by the stomach and small intestine when we eat and helps speed up digestion. It works with insulin to regulate blood sugar.
Does chewing food thoroughly reduce food intake?
Chewing food thoroughly reduces food intake and ghrelin hormone levels in healthy young adults, according to a study from Iowa State University in 2012. Citing the study, James Hollis of Iowa State's Strategic Relations and Communications noted that chewing 40 times before swallowing was found to be effective in reducing food intake. This knowledge may be used to develop better dietary strategies for weight management.
Stimulates gastric juices
How does chewing food help digestion?
Chewing food helps the digestive process by breaking down nutrients and fluids into a microscopic size, allowing for easier absorption into the body. An info from WebMD, this allows for healthier eating habits and improved digestion. Research has found that chewing food more slowly can help people feel fuller faster and eat less.
How can I increase stomach acid levels naturally?
Eating smaller meals and chewing food thoroughly can help to increase stomach acid levels naturally. Cited on Healthline, these methods can help to eliminate symptoms associated with low stomach acid and maintain a positive level in the stomach. Studies have found that supplementing with probiotics and eating fermented foods can also help to improve stomach acid levels.
What role does pepsin play in digestion?
Digestion is the process of breaking down large food particles into smaller absorbable nutrients for energy production, growth, and cellular repair, which begins with ingestion and ends with defecation. An info from findings published in StatPearls by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) in 2021, the enzyme pepsin plays an important role in this process. Saliva and gastric acids are also essential for digestion.
Enhances nutrient metabolism
Why is it important to chew your food?
Chewing your food is essential for proper digestion and relaxation of the lower stomach, as it triggers hydrochloric acid production and messages the gastrointestinal system that food is on its way. According to Doctors Beyond Medicine, "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 stomach needs to relax before food can be channeled to the intestines." Research has found that chewing your food thoroughly helps to reduce hunger cravings and overeating.
How many times should food be chewed before swallowing?
It is recommended to chew food 32 times before swallowing. As indicated by a 2018 study by Healthline, experts suggest that it takes fewer chews to break down soft and processed foods than harder and more complex ones.
Chewing your food well is essential for proper digestion, as it helps reduce the stress on the oesophagus and allows the stomach to properly break down food. An info from Sydney Holistic Dentistry, saliva released while chewing contains digestive enzymes which further aid digestion, while enzymes released by the mouth pass into the throat and stomach. Chewing can help reduce air intake, which in turn reduces bloating and discomfort.
Enhances oral motor skills
What is oral motor occupational therapy?
OT professionals use oral motor occupational therapy interventions to help with oral motor problems and feeding. This type of therapy is provided by OT Toolbox on their website, which was last updated in August of 2022. It is also important to note that feeding difficulties are often related to sensory processing challenges.
What strategies can be used to treat oral motor and sensory-behavioral feeding disorders?
Children with oral motor and sensory-behavioral feeding disorders have difficulty preparing, moving, and swallowing food, which can be treated through increased chewing skills and improved transit of food/liquid to the throat. According to Stony Brook Medicine (2020), this can be done through occupational therapy and behavior modification techniques. Research shows that providing support and encouragement to children during meal times can help them to overcome these issues.
What components are necessary for successful feeding?
Physical, sensory and oral motor development are key components of successful feeding, allowing the buccal fat pads or cheeks to support and stabilise the nipple or teat entering the mouth. According to the Raising Children Network by Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (2020), these components also involve trunk and head control. The development of these skills is necessary for proper nutrition and growth.
Source:
- Doctorsbeyondmedicine : Your Food, Medicine.
- Roswithaherman : The Importance, Food, 11 Benefits, Actionable Steps.
- Opexfit : 7 Important Benefits, Your Food, OPEX Fitness.
- Nih : Physiology, Salivation - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.
- Usnews : 5 Reasons, You, Your Food, US News, World Report.
