Your mother was right: It’s important to chew your food thoroughly before swallowing it.
Chewing is the first step in digestion. It breaks food into smaller particles, which increases the surface area so that digestive enzymes can more readily extract nutrients from it.
If we rush through our meals, we don’t get the full phytochemical benefit of the foods we’re eating. Slowing down and chewing thoroughly allow us to absorb more nutrients, help us to maintain a healthy weight, and even bring dental health benefits.
For some foods, particularly cruciferous vegetables (kale, cabbage, broccoli, etc.) and allium vegetables (onions, garlic, leeks, etc.), breaking down the structure of the food matrix drives chemical reactions that provide beneficial phytochemicals….