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Can Prolong Life
A recent news report mentioned a Japanese man who lived to be a hundred years old, with the appearance of a fifty-year-old and the mental agility of a thirty-something. When asked about his secret to longevity, he said: "Nothing special, just chew each bite of food 30 times before swallowing." Chewing each bite 30 times before swallowing intuitively reduces the burden on the stomach and intestines. On the other hand, it also suggests that the person is not impatient, as only someone who is not in a hurry can do this. A person who is not impatient naturally has a slower pace of life, which is also a key to health preservation. However, the benefits of chewing slowly are not limited to this.
According to modern research, saliva contains many components found in blood plasma, dozens of digestive enzymes, antibodies, catalase, vitamin C, and more. It aids in digestion, kills bacteria, removes toxins, and can even break down many toxins, chemical drugs, and carcinogens in food. The antibodies in saliva can kill bacteria. If large pieces of food are not thoroughly chewed, the pathogens inside can bypass the first line of defense in the mouth and directly enter the esophagus and stomach, much like the Trojan Horse. Experiments have shown that when various carcinogens are added to saliva, it takes about 30 seconds for the toxins to degrade. Therefore, assuming one chew per second, chewing each bite 30 times allows saliva to fully mix with the food, effectively removing toxins.
Can Improve Obesity
Other studies have found that chewing slowly can also help improve obesity. This is because the feeling of fullness or hunger is also related to blood sugar levels. When blood sugar is too low, the hypothalamus's feeding center sends a hunger signal to eat. As food is gradually digested, blood sugar rises. When blood sugar reaches a certain level, the hypothalamus's satiety center sends a signal to stop eating. If you eat too quickly, even if you have consumed enough food, the food is not digested quickly enough, and blood sugar does not rise to the level of satiety. As a result, the body still feels hungry and continues to eat, leading to overeating.
Can Prevent Dementia
Another study found that people with intact teeth have significantly better memory than those who have had teeth removed. Additionally, when chewing hard objects or increasing chewing speed, blood flow to the brain significantly increases. The difference in brain blood flow between elderly people with and without teeth can be as much as 30%. Good chewing function ensures adequate blood supply to the brain and normal cognitive activities. Researchers using MRI have observed increased activity signals in the hippocampus during chewing. Therefore, chewing gum is considered a good method to stimulate hippocampal function without increasing food intake, which can help prevent dementia.
Summary
Simply chewing food a few more times can bring such diverse benefits. Why not give it a try?
