Prevent illnesses and improve gut health by quitting one common mealtime habit
by Talya Honebeek · Daily RecordGet the latest Daily Record breaking news on WhatsApp
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With plummeting temperatures comes an increase in the number of common colds and flu-like ailments doing the rounds. As cases of norovirus, often referred to as the "winter vomiting bug", rise within the UK, it's anticipated many will suffer from such symptoms in the upcoming weeks and months.
Luckily, there are straightforward dietary and lifestyle modifications that can aid in bolstering gut health. A robust gut is not only beneficial in fending off illnesses but also aids in quicker recovery if you do succumb to an ailment.
A healthy gut microbiome is essential for enhanced nutrient absorption and a feeling of satiety. Besides contributing to better physical health, maintaining a sound gut can boost mental well-being and provide a defence against chronic diseases including heart conditions, diabetes, and certain forms of cancer, reports Wales Online.
While incorporating a diversity of nutritious foods is advantageous for gut vitality, Dr Megan Rossi, a nutritionist and founder of The Gut Health Clinic, suggests an even more straightforward adjustment: chewing food thoroughly.
"It really just comes down to digestion," she explains. "Not only do we start to physically break down food in our mouths, but we have enzymes in our saliva that start to chemically break it down.", reports Surrey Live.
Research indicates that the more we chew our food, the more nutrients we extract from it, aiding digestion. "One study looked at almonds, and they compared people who chewed the almonds 10 times versus 40 times," Dr Rossi explained.
"They showed that if you chewed them 40 times, you actually absorb so much more of that good nutrition....If you only chew them like 10 times, you're malabsorbing a lot of it and not getting that full kind of health potential. So chewing your food is really important for the extraction of a lot of that nutrition instead of pooping it out."
She admits that it's unlikely people will chew 40 times before swallowing, but suggests: "Count next time - literally count how many times you're chewing and then add an extra three chews."
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