The Sometimes Surprising Benefits of Chewing

Chewing does more than aid in digestion; it can change the biochemistry of your food and more

Studies suggest that chewing thoroughly and eating more slowly help maintain a healthy weight. Dean Drobot/Shutterstock

Your mother was right: It’s important to chew your food thoroughly before swallowing it.

Chewing is the first step in digestion. It breaks food into smaller particles, which increases the surface area so that digestive enzymes can more readily extract nutrients from it.