Even if you're not someone who has to be reminded not to swallow her ravioli whole, many of us simply do not chew our food enough. Feeling ravenous is often the culprit for being a chewing slacker, but there are many reasons why it's important to increase the number of times you chomp.
- It gets the ball rolling: The act of chewing tells the rest of your gastrointestinal system to start the digestive process.
- Better digestion: Chewing breaks food into smaller particles and increases the surface area, which is important to good digestion. The enzymes in saliva assist in digestion, too.
- Prevents bacteria: You risk incomplete digestion by swallowing pieces that are too big, and this can cause bacterial overgrowth and gas.
- More enjoyment: Taking the time to chew allows you to enjoy your food more and could prevent you from overeating.
- How to chew it: Chew your food to the point where you can no longer identify what you're eating by its texture.