Chew Your Liquids and Drink Your Solids

This is an old saying I used to hear back in the early 90’s and it still holds true for me. Digestion begins in the mouth, continues in the stomach and completes in the intestines. If you want to digest your food as effectively as possible consider this tip.

The mouth contains digestive enzymes that not only start the process of breaking down food, but also stimulate the stomach, gall bladder and pancreas to release acids, bile and enzymes to continue this process. The act of chewing also stimulates the Vagus nerve that runs through the entire digestive system to aid in the process. If you chew solids well enough they should nearly become liquids, which makes it much easier for the stomach to do it’s job. Chewing 39 times with each bite is a recommendation I often make to improve digestive function. Chewing your liquids allows the salivary enzymes in the mouth to start digesting the carbohydrate content of your fluids. In fact, if you can take supplements in liquid form that mix with salivary enzymes (such as vitamin D, fish oil or liquid herbs), you will find they are much better utilized than the “pill” form.

Chew Your Liquids and Drink Your Solids