Chew your Food: Energy Expenditure from Digestion Promotes Induced Thermogenesis

A recent study conducted by researchers from the Tokyo Institute of Technology and Kyushu University shows that chewing can actually help the body lose weight through alteration of your metabolism.

According to lead study authors Yuka Hamada Hideaki Kashima and Naoyuki Hayashi of the university, this is one of the first examples to show the physiological link between chewing and energy expenditure.

"If chewing alters digestion-induced thermogenesis, its importance should be incorporated into weight management strategies," researchers said.

The study involved 21 healthy normal weight participants, half of whom were given 100kcal solid food while the other half were given 300kcal of solid food. Each participant was also asked to undergo two different experiments--one in which they were asked to rapidly swallow the food and the other to chew as many times as possible.

Findings showed that energy expenditure from digestion, storage of food and absorption induced thermogenesis based on the number of times the food was chewed. 

Results also revealed that increased orosensory stimulation boosts energy expenditure, which helps increase diet-induced thermogenesis.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the article, "The number of chews and meal duration affect diet-induced thermogenesis and splanchnic circulation," was published in the journal Obesity.