Among the problems that modern life presents to us with its frenzied rhythms, there is that of eating hastily so as not to waste so much time. It happens to eat standing up, to choose fatty, uncooked and poor quality foods because this is what the closest refreshment point offers us. 10 minutes and back to work. Even when it happens to be able to sit at the table and eat a full meal, haste prevails without us reflecting on the damage that this behavior can cause to the body.
Eating slowly and chewing the right number of times facilitates digestion by shortening the duration of the gastric action of food. Eating in a relaxed way and taking your time can bring numerous benefits. During meals, we should not use cell phones or watch TV, we should take small amounts of food at a time and avoid swallowing empty between bites.
Not 30 nor 32 but this number of times we should chew food before swallowing to facilitate digestion and lose weight
All these behaviors are generally disregarded. This is how our problems could begin. From an early age we are taught that digestion begins during chewing. Some experimental studies have established that chewing for a long time creates small trauma to the gums, which are equipped with a microbiome. These small traumas would set in motion the immune system which would create a first defense barrier against foreign bodies. It would take place through the production of lymphocytes, whose job is to fight the antigens present in food.
These are studies that need further investigation, but it is also true that the enzymes that break down what we eat are present in the saliva. This would be enough to convince us of the need to change our habits. Typically, after chewing 15 or 20 times we swallow, even if the bite is firm. Many doctors warn you to double the number of times.
The right number
Brain and intestine have a close relationship even though they are far apart. Hormones need to do their job and alert the brain of the amount of food that needs to be digested. If we eat too fast, we don’t give our organs a chance to meet the timing they need. Without exaggerating.
In fact, some studies have indicated as many as 100 times food should be chewed. A wise middle ground might be the ideal solution. Not 30 or 32 but at least 40 times it would be recommended to chew the bite before swallowing it. That’s what most studies on the subject say.
Even with regard to weight loss, logic comes to meet us. Those who eat faster, chewing less, swallow more food. Chewing the same bite 40 times instead of 15 could reduce your total calories by 12%.
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