Rise in indigestion as Brits spend less than 30 minutes a day chewing

How many chews do you do at lunch? According to a recent survey, we Brits spend a mere 23 minutes masticating a day… and it’s giving us indigestion.

A nine minute dinner

The average person chews for six minutes at breakfast, eight at lunch, and nine at dinner according to a study commissioned by the Just Chew It! campaign. And that’s led to 73% of us complaining of digestive issues, and 40% of us spending £10 or more a month on over-the-counter digestive remedies.

The study shows that our lives are becoming increasingly hectic, and we have less and less time to eat. Even though 80% of those polled understood that we should devote at least 20 minutes to every meal time, people just aren’t making the effort to put the theory into practice. Problems such as the children’s homework, rushing to the office, or working through a lunch break are getting in the way.

What the experts say

Dr Sarah Brewer, who spoke on behalf of the Just Chew It! campaign, said: “Chewing food properly is important for digestive health as the digestive process starts in the mouth. Chewing also has other benefits as it boosts alertness and helps you think more clearly. Not only that, it’s beneficial for those who are struggling to maintain a healthy weight. Taking time to chew your food properly gives your brain more time to receive intestinal signals telling you that you’re full. This is an important factor to help avoid overeating." 

Adele Wolstenhulme, founder of Inside Out Nutrition, added: "Food is more than just fuel, and chewing your food is one of the most important parts of mindful eating. Eating slowly and chewing every mouthful until almost liquidized makes it easier for your stomach to digest food properly, and sends a signal to the brain to kick-start digestive processes. This is why eating on the run is so bad for us."

Kimchi and fennel

As well as taking the time to chew, there are a few other things you can do to improve your digestive health according to Just Chew It! campaign. Fermented foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut or yoghurt can help; certain spices are good for the digestion (try fennel, ginger, mint or cumin); and fresh fruit and vegetables contain soluble and insoluble fibres, which are essential to healthy digestion. Finally, drink lots: your digestive system needs plenty of water to function properly.    

How long do you spend on your mealtimes? Is it affecting your health? We’d love to know, so talk to us in the comments box below.

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