Important benefits of chewing food.5 reasons we should chew our food. We investigate which is the best of the combinations, which cooking is the most convenient, if it is worth soaking, when to peel and when not, etc., forgetting simple and essential aspects, such as chewing. 1.Chewing is the first stage of digestion In order for us to absorb the nutrients from food, it is first necessary for digestion to take place. And what is digestion? Well, in breaking food into pieces so, so small that they can then be absorbed and enter the bloodstream. In our body, digestion is done in several stages and one of them, important as all, is chewing. When we chew, we break down the food for the first time in our mouth through mechanical actions (with the teeth and molars) and chemicals (through enzymes and juices). From there, the next stage passes in the stomach, where the food will continue to undergo transformations to then pass to the intestine, which will also take care of further reducing the food in stages until obtaining the substances that we will finally absorb. Glycemic Index, an interesting parameter to choose our food (but not the only one!)YOU MAY ALSO LIKEGlycemic Index, an interesting parameter to choose our food (but not the only one!)Batch Cooking: a tool to eat healthily, even if you have little timeYOU MAY ALSO LIKEBatch Cooking: a tool to eat healthily, even if you have little time 4 simple reasons to chew Ayurveda Medicine has placed a lot of emphasis on this aspect. Surely you know the phrase that says drink your food and chew your drink. Drinking the food means nothing more and nothing less than chewing until the solid is almost liquid (and you can drink it). There are at least 4 main reasons to listen to our ancestors. Let’s see. 1. If we chew well, we will have less work in the rest of the digestive stages, favoring the absorption of nutrients and minimizing the difficulties and discomfort derived from poor digestion in the stomach or intestine (bloating or gas, for example). 2. Chewing favors the action of the parasympathetic nervous system, in charge of giving the order for the production of gastric juices that we need for stomach digestion. And that also helps us relax. 3. By dedicating a while to each bite, you will give time for the feeling of satiety to arrive. 4. The food will bring more pleasure because it is during chewing that we enjoy its flavor. It is a moment of presence. Spend some time chewing and enjoying food Even though it is the most pleasant moment, it is very difficult for us to spend time chewing. In fact, most people eat on the run. But this can be reversed by paying attention to some simple but effective measures. The most often recommended is to count the times you chew. They say it would have to be about 40 times. Personally, I find it impractical and, on the other hand, it seems to me that leaving the cutlery between bites is a more realistic and pleasant alternative. One way to promote chewing that I love is using toppings. It is about adding some seeds to a salad, some cocoa nibs to a smoothie, or some sprouts to vegetable cream, for example. It is very easy and, in addition, an opportunity to add flavor. These little foods will remind us to chew on every bite. Put on music, sit comfortably, and light a candle there are many ways to seek presence at mealtime. Conscious chewing is a way to enjoy the here and now and, at the same time, to promote greater digestive health.