THE IMPORTANCE OF CHEWING Digestion is a very demanding task for your body that requires a great deal of energy, especially if forced to digest improperly chewed food. The chewing process predigests the food into small pieces and partially liquefies it, making it easier to digest. Chewing properly allows your stomach to work more efficiently and break down your food faster. Here are several important reasons to chew your food well: 1. Dr. Goodheart theorized that when organs and other tissues are under stress, the thymus codes Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and then sends it to the parotid gland to be released in the saliva. The RNA from the saliva combines with food and tags it to tell it where to go in the body to repair areas in need. So, by chewing your food well, along with chewing or at least tasting supplements before swallowing them, it codes the nutrients to tell them where to be delivered in the body. The exception to this is hydrochloric acid, which should be swallowed without chewing; otherwise, it will eat away the enamel of your teeth. You should also mix every mouthful of juice with your saliva before swallowing. 2. Chewing also signals the digestive system to start preparing for digestion through the gustatory receptors in the mouth. 3. Another reason to chew well is you break your food down into smaller particles that are more easily digested. This also makes it easier for your intestines to absorb nutrients from the food particles as they pass through. Improperly digested food entering your blood can cause a wide range of adverse effects to your health including allergies. 4. Saliva contains digestive enzymes, such as lingual lipase, an enzyme that helps break down fats. So the longer you chew, the more time these enzymes have to start breaking down your food, making digestion easier on your stomach and small intestine. 5. Saliva also helps to lubricate your food so it’s easier on your esophagus. 6. The longer you chew, the more time it will take you to finish a meal, and research shows that eating slowly can help you to eat less and, ultimately, to avoid weight gain or even lose weight. It takes about 20 minutes for your brain to signal to your stomach that you’re full; so, if you chew each bite until it is liquid and then swallow, you will not over eat. 7. Chewing also makes less bacteria linger in your intestines. When large particles of improperly chewed food enter your stomach, it may remain undigested when it enters your intestines. There, bacteria will begin to break it down and it will start to putrefy, potentially leading to gas and bloating, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, cramping and other digestive problems. 8. And lastly, chewing helps you enjoy and taste your food more. So, be fully conscious when you eat and chew each bite until it is liquid and then swallow. When you drink juice, swish it around in your mouth before swallowing..