Chew On This

If you think you are eating well on a regular basis, and yet you still have nagging health problems, perhaps you're not getting the nutrition you need from the food you are eating.

You have done your research, so you know the nutrition is in the food. You just don't seem to be getting the benefit into your body. What could the problem be?

The answer, of course, would be that your digestion may be having some problems. If the food you eat doesn't get digested, then your body can't use the nutrition from it.

Today let's talk about where good digestion starts. Good digestion starts when you put food into your mouth.

Raise your hand if you have ever heard your mom say something like, "Chew your food before you swallow."

Why did she say that? Because her mom said it? What is the big deal about chewing your food?

Well... oh yes, you can put your hand down now. Let's talk about mastication.

Chewing actually starts the whole digestion process, and it is a very important part of it. If you don't chew your food well, you may not be getting a lot of the nutrition out of your food that you could be getting if you took the time to chew better.

Chewing breaks the food up into smaller pieces, giving it more surface area to be worked on by the other digestive fluids. Not to mention that it makes swallowing easier and safer.

It also causes enzymes to start flowing. They flow into the mouth and start some of the digestion right then and there. Chewing also causes the digestive juices to start flowing in the stomach, in preparation for what is coming down the pipe.

One of the fascinating things that I have learned about chewing is that it can even help, after you have already swallowed. So, if you have an upset stomach after eating a large meal, or a difficult to digest meal, you can pretend to chew and it will help to settle the tummy. It is actually better and safer than taking antacids.

Chewing even helps to prepare the muscles in the lower abdomen to release and allow everything to flow throught the intestines and the bowel.

Bottom line : Take time to chew. You will be healthier for it. Because your body will get more of the available nutrition from your food, and your food will be less gunking (is that a word?) to your digestive system.

Rule of thumb : Chew until the food is now longer identifiable by feel. Then swallow.