Tag: Chewing calories

According to research, the body expends energy for all physical processes, including digestion. The act of chewing, or mastication, is no different, as it is a muscular activity that does in fact burn calories, albeit a very small amount.

Chewing is a necessary component of digestion, yet the number of calories you burn while doing it is surprisingly low, often averaging around 11 calories per hour. While this amount is negligible for major weight loss, the act of chewing is still a critical and beneficial part of overall nutrition.

While the calorie burn from the physical act of chewing is minimal, a 2022 study in *Science Advances* found it increases metabolic rate by 10-15% above basal levels, showing there is a measurable energetic cost. So, do you burn more calories when chewing? Yes, but the real benefit is more nuanced.

According to a 2022 study in *Science Advances*, chewing can increase your metabolic rate by 10-15% above basal levels for short periods, proving that yes, you do burn calories when chewing. While the number is surprisingly measurable, its overall contribution to daily energy expenditure is minor.

Studies have shown that chewing food longer does not increase calories, but can reduce overall calorie intake. So, **does chewing more increase calories?** The answer is no, but its impact on your nutrition diet is far more beneficial than you think.