Anatomy of the Mouth

Why is it so important to chew our food well?

Chewing well mixes our food with saliva to begin digestion and makes it easier to swallow.

Chemicals in our saliva (enzymes) start breaking down the food. The better they’re mixed into the food, the more thoroughly I will be digested.

Our food is moved down the esophagus by waves of muscle contractions (peristalsis) that act as a conveyor belt to the stomach.

Doctors have noticed that people who bolt down their food have a greater tendency toward gastrointestinal problems than those who chew thoroughly. Think of chewing as a time to really taste and savor your food.