They are sent in a hurry because of files to complete or children to take care of. For fifty years, the French have tended to rush meals!
Eating too fast? This does not seem dramatic at first sight. However, the consequences of a hastily swallowed meal are very real. “By not chewing enough, we force our body to produce gastric juice in large quantities. And it is an acidic element, which can in the long run alter the mucous membranes, and cause this famous reflux gastroesophageal”, warns Laurent Chevallier Nutritionist.
Risks of digestive disorders
The deleterious effects indeed occur on our health because chewing is an essential step in the digestion process. Food must be broken down into fine particles before it reaches the stomach. However, poor digestion causes a cascade of negative consequences. Gastroesophageal reflux can, for example, over time irritate the throat or damage tooth enamel. Not to mention the risks of digestive heaviness after meals. And for eaters in a hurry who already suffer from stomach ulcers or gastritis, this is a way to make matters worse. “Saliva contains an enzyme called amylase. Its role is to digest starch, that is to say a family of carbohydrates found in particular in bread. If this starch has not been chewed sufficiently, it is completely assimilated and the surplus ferments in the large intestine. With the key to bloating and gas. Hence the interest of having meals in peace, by resting, and taking your time“, advises the nutritionist.
Conclusion: If you regularly suffer from intestinal discomfort or stomach aches after meals, slow down the pace.
We eat more when we eat fast
Another disadvantage: larger quantities absorbed. It takes 20 minutes after the first bite for the brain to receive the signal indicating the start of the meal. If we eat in 10 minutes, we will not necessarily be satisfied because the signals do not have time to arrive, and we risk eating much more in terms of quantity than what we really need. And this surplus can only lead to overweight in the long term.
By choosing foods that require significant chewing, we are forced to eat more slowly. So this can be a good tip to avoid hasty meals. Additional advantage, we will be less hungry. Eating quickly also results from the choice of food. A sandwich with soft bread, for example, can be swallowed in a few minutes. Whereas a sandwich with sourdough or wholemeal bread requires you to chew each bite well. And as a result, you can eat less and digest better.
“Eating too quickly can also affect dental health. The more you chew, the more saliva you produce. And this saliva helps protect tooth enamel and remove plaque, among other benefits.” emphasizes Laurent Chevallier.
When you sit down to eat, take the time now to savor and savor each bite, you will only benefit from it!
Thanks to Laurent Chevallier Nutritionist in Montpellier
Read also:
- 9 keys to eating better (and less)
- Drinking water while eating: good or bad idea?
- Should we cut out bread when dieting?
