Chew It Or Lose It: Digestion starts with 'chew'

We all know or at least should know that digestion begins in the mouth.  Much of the nuritents are lost when we do not chew well enough.  We can eat and eat and eat and still be malnourished!

This is just a friendly reminder to

STOP!

DROP(the fork)!  

And CHEW!  

Some studies suggest at least chewing 40 times per bite or till the food is liquid in your mouth.  YIKES!  Maybe just start out with chewing 10 times per bite, and work your way up from there.  You will be surprised at how little you chew, especially if you are a talker at the table.  Try eating at least one meal a day by your self and concentrate on good chewing habits.

So what are some benefits to chewing your food thoroughly?

Aids in the proper transport of nutrients in your body.

Helps start the important digestive process which is important to being healthy.

You are more than likely to not eat as much by eating thoroughly. When you are eating slower, your brain can tell you that you are full, causing you to eat less.

Helps to prevent the heavy feeling that sometimes follows a meal and it also will help you lose body fat since you are not eating as much

What are some of the side effects of not chewing thoroughly?

Poorly digested food means poor absorption of the vitamins and nutrients that the foods you are eating provide.

Eating rapidly and swallowing large mouthfuls contributes to the reflux which can damage the lining of the throat and esophagus. About 44% of Americans experience reflux or heartburn at least once a month, 20% have it every week and 7% suffer from it daily.

Other side effects include flatulence, indigestion, heartburn, gas, IBS, and other discomforts. Chewing each bit thoroughly allows less air to enter in which decreases gas and burping. With an increasing number of individuals with IBS, constipation, abdominal spasms and bloating, chewing food could possibly prevent a number of these daily discomforts.

SO "chew it or lose it' people"!