NaturalSociety July 21 2013
If you were ever told to chew your food at the dinner table, or if you’ve ever said it to your children, the main motivation was likely to prevent choking, not increase nutrient absorption. But researchers with Purdue University suggest chewing your food into fine particles could actually improve their digestion and the rate and volume at which nutrients are able to be used – which can lead to weight loss.
The findings of this research was recently presented at the 2013 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting and Food Expo in Chicago. In the study, scientists looked at participants, how they chewed almonds and the amount of fecal fat and energy loss associated with the chewing. Some participants chewed the almonds 10 times, some 25, and others 40.
Those who chewed the almonds the most seemed to reap the most from them nutritionally. The smaller particles were absorbed into the body at a faster pace. And those who chewed less, eliminated those larger particles without them being completely broken down.