When we think about digestion, we often think only of the stomach and intestines. However, we often forget that there are a number of other influences and mechanisms associated with this topic.
Our Dailybacs work specifically in the intestines, one of the most crucial steps in the digestive process. The small, self-determined bacteria provide the necessary support locally and usually very successfully. They bring the intestinal flora back into balance, can improve digestion and promote effective absorption of nutrients. But digestion actually begins much earlier - using processes that we can specifically control. This means that we do not have to leave the work solely to the externally determined mechanisms of our body and the hard-working probiotics. In addition to a healthy diet and exercise, we can also actively contribute to improving digestion - and it is much easier than we think!
A rhythmic journey
Our digestion is a composition of different rhythms, created by instruments that many people may not even know play a role in it. Strictly speaking, our digestion begins with the eyes and nose. They direct the start of the rhythm, because as soon as the eyes perceive the food, this can trigger an increased flow of saliva (assuming the food looks appealing). The olfactory nerves also have to give their consent before we even indulge in the meal.
“Well chewed is half digested”
This is where the art of chewing begins. With a steady, rhythmic movement of the jaw, the food is crushed and chopped. The more thoroughly, the better - because this is how the food is broken down into its individual parts. The increased production of saliva provides food-splitting enzymes that chemically break down the food. The so-called amylases break down carbohydrates into simple sugar building blocks.
Try it yourself: if you chew bread long enough, it will eventually taste sweet!
We have therefore done a lot of preparatory work for the stomach and intestines. The small individual parts can then be absorbed and metabolised more easily by the other “digestive instruments”. This means that unpleasant symptoms such as flatulence, constipation, diarrhea or heartburn are less common. This is simply because the stomach sometimes has difficulty breaking down larger pieces of food. These arrive in the intestines only half-broken down and cause well-known problems. It is also crucial that energy and good nutrients cannot be extracted as effectively from large food particles. You could even consider it a real waste of food, because all the good nutrients simply end up down the drain - and this could even be regional, seasonal organic vegetables. Such “nutrient waste” would be a real shame and, above all, too expensive to just flush it all straight down the toilet. The doctor Dr. Stossier summed it up well in the book “Viva Mayr”: “...there is no point in spending money on organic food if we don’t chew it long enough. Then you might as well eat industrially processed food.”
After the teeth and jaw have made their rhythmic contribution, the muscle movement of the esophagus pushes the food past the heart and lungs towards the gastrointestinal tract. The rhythmic impulses of these organs, heartbeat and breathing, can also be seen as part of the process. Once in the stomach, the rhythm is mixed up again. Through gastric peristalsis, the movement of the stomach, the food pulp is further liquefied, kneaded and broken down, at the same time sterilized by hydrochloric acid and directed further into the small intestine.
The small intestine never rests - like the heart, it works in a constant rhythm that neutralizes stomach acid. The pancreas and gall bladder also play a role, as their secretions provide important enzymes that digest the food consumed. This can sometimes lead to a disharmony of the rhythm - as this is the process in which potential intolerances become apparent. The remaining food components that our body does not need or cannot absorb are first thickened in the large intestine and then excreted. The large intestine also moves in a rhythm that, however, brings the entire composition back somewhat. This is because its pace is slower and it stops the food pulp towards the end, in the opposite direction to the movement of the small intestine.
Yes, digestion is a wonderful, rhythmic interaction! But unfortunately there are also things that can disrupt this rhythm. This is where chewing comes into play again. We often find ourselves in a situation where we cannot really enjoy our food. We are not present and not conscientious when eating, we stuff ourselves hastily, distracted by the many influences around us: whether it is our cell phone, the television or a conversation with the person across from us. Eating connects people and brings friends, family and strangers together. Conversing is part of the pleasant experience, but thorough mechanical digestion should not be pushed into the background.
Because if you chew properly and thoroughly, not only your stomach will be grateful, but also your taste buds. You can enjoy the different, varied flavors that a meal has to offer. In addition, you can lose weight by chewing properly. Lose weight by chewing carefully? That sounds somewhat unrealistic, but it's proven. If you chew more thoroughly, you automatically take more time to eat and become aware of your feeling of fullness at an earlier point in time. The brain lags behind a little in terms of time and needs at least 15 minutes to communicate the feeling of fullness to the body. 15 minutes is a pretty long time when you consider how much a "fast eater" can gulp down in that time. You are satisfied with smaller portions, which can have a positive effect on your weight (assuming you are overweight). Chewing thoroughly also means that less air is swallowed. This avoids a sluggish feeling of fullness after eating.
The classic daily rhythm does not match the digestive rhythm
Just pay attention to your own habits. You often want to be full as quickly as possible, a combination of a nagging feeling of hunger and the pressure to get back into the rhythm of everyday life as quickly as possible. This also explains the increase in fast food restaurants in recent years. The faster, the better, and the question of quality is often not taken into account. Our bodies are naturally designed to select food in the mouth by chewing for a long time and to eliminate anything inedible or poisonous. Inedible things often only become apparent in the last nuance of taste! For example, unhealthy, refined food no longer tastes so good after you have chewed it for a long time.
anti-stress therapy
Taking the time for relaxed meals can be a real anti-stress therapy in stressful everyday life. Many people who have changed their chewing habits report that the mechanical chewing movements have a relaxing effect on the entire body.
If this long list of benefits of chewing thoroughly isn't enough to convince you - brace yourself! Because we have a whole bunch more reasons to chew well that are guaranteed to make you fall off your chair:
Youthful, immune and light as a feather just by chewing!?
- Radiate youth:
Chewing releases the hormone parotin into the mouth via the parotid glands. Scientific research has revealed parotin to be a regeneration miracle. It stimulates cell metabolism and is therefore responsible for the regeneration of the entire body. One study showed that subjects who received parotin treatments looked significantly younger.
- Defensive power:
Since the food we eat is of course anything but sterile, the saliva in the oral cavity takes precautions. It kills the first bacteria. This happens with the help of the protein histamine and an antibacterial enzyme, the so-called lysozyme. The increased production of saliva when chewing can influence the immune system of the entire body and also protect the digestive tract more effectively against intruders and the resulting diseases!
- Feel as light as a feather:
Feeling as light as a feather after eating? Most people don't know this experience. But if you chew properly, you avoid large chunks of food in your stomach, which quickly start to ferment and make you feel bloated and heavy. If the pieces are smaller, the body has to use less energy to break them down. This way, you feel fit and light instead of sluggish, heavy and tired - because you can use the energy you have taken in for much better things!
- Hollywood Smile
To avoid unpleasant visits to the dentist, just chew properly. This improves blood flow to the chewing muscles and gums. This strengthens the entire jaw. The saliva washes around the teeth. This has a disinfecting effect and prevents tooth decay. Nothing should stand in the way of your radiant smile!
But how do you chew “correctly”?
Experts recommend chewing a bite 40 to 50 times. Yes, that's a lot! If you just want to try it out, you can start with 20 repetitions and work your way up in small bites! Because then you usually notice how unconscientious your usual eating habits were in the past. But it might also lead to you starting to get angry with yourself and the taste experiences you missed.
Better late than never! Your stomach and intestines will especially thank you and will probably quickly reward you with improved digestion, which can also have an effect on your entire body and your well-being!
FUN FACT:
Herbivorous birds often have stones in their stomachs, and for good reason. The so-called gastroliths are there to further process and break down the food in the stomach. Grass and other plants are very difficult to digest. Gastroliths are also known in connection with dinosaurs.
