Chewing will not only make it easier to swallow food, but it also brings various other health benefits. Be sure to chew thoroughly when you eat.
Why is Chewing Your Food So Important?
The last time you had something to eat, did you give any thought to how long you chewed? Most likely not, as chewing is done, for most people, almost as a habit or unconscious reflex. As soon as a piece of food enters your mouth, you chew and swallow, probably far too quickly (especially if you’re in a hurry or eating on the run).
8 Important Reasons to Properly Chew Your Food
- Prevention of obesity
Chewing thoroughly and eating slowly prevents overeating, which leads to the prevention of obesity.
- Development of the sense of taste
Chewing allows you to feel the shape or texture of food, making you more sensitive to the taste of food.
- Development of speech
Using the muscles around the mouth will help in the development of the jaw, allowing you to pronounce words better and making your face more expressive.
- Development of the brain
Chewing increases the amount of blood flowing into the brain and stimulates the brain, developing the intelligence of children and preventing memory loss in adults.
- Prevention of dental diseases
Chewing promotes the production of saliva. Saliva has the function of washing away food debris and bacteria remaining in the mouth, which leads to the prevention of caries and gingivitis.
- Prevention of cancer
An enzyme called peroxidase in saliva suppresses carcinogens in food, preventing cancers.
- Healthy stomach and intestines
Chewing helps digestion and prevents overeating. It also activates the functions of your stomach and intestines.
- Gives you full power
Your body will be activated, enabling you to concentrate all you might on your work or play.
Things that Help You to Chew thoroughly
How to make your child chew food Properly
- Give your child foods that can be swallowed without chewing for practice
＜Example of chewy food＞
・ Seafood：Seaweed, Dried fish, Shellfish
・ Root vegetables：Bamboo shoot, Lotus root, Carrot
・ Greens：Spinach, Bok choy
・ Fruit：Apple, Pear
・ Potato・Beans：Sweet potato, Soy, Green beans
・ Nut：Sesame, Almond, Walnut
- Cook your child foods that can be swallowed without chewing
＜Example of the cooking way＞
・ Cut ingredients a little bigger than usual
・ Try not to break vegetables fiber（Cut vegetables vertically to fiber）
・Don’t cook too much if your child can eat the food without heat cooking
- Do not drink while you have food in your mouth. When you chew thoroughly, the food will become small and easy to swallow.
- Change your child’s snack to be more chewy food
Hard foods or high-fiber foods such as rice crackers, apples, beans, and nuts are chewy, and children will naturally chew more.
References
Lion Corporation.
https://www.lion.co.jp/en/oral/role/02.htm
Dr. Mercola’s Natural Health Newsletter
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/07/31/chewing-foods.aspx
E PARK 歯科
http://haisha-yoyaku.jp/docs/hamigakids/column/kids-hanarabi-yokukamu.html
