Tag: Oral processing

Saliva contains the enzyme lingual lipase, which initiates the digestion of dietary fats, or oil, in the mouth. This enzymatic action begins the complex journey of lipid breakdown, explaining how does saliva break down oil and preparing it for further digestion in the stomach and small intestine.

Studies show that chewing food longer increases feelings of fullness and can reduce overall food intake. So, how long should we chew rice for this and other benefits? The answer involves a mindful approach rather than a rigid, exact number of chews.

According to food science research, between 75% and 95% of food flavor is believed to come from our sense of smell, but texture plays a critical, and often subconscious, role as a sensory influence that determines a person's food preferences. The tactile sensations we experience in our mouths, from crunchy chips to creamy soup, are integral to our overall perception of a dish and can dramatically impact our liking or disliking of certain foods.

Chewing a plain mouthful of rice for just a few seconds will cause it to taste noticeably sweeter, a direct result of chemical digestion beginning in the mouth. This initial breakdown reveals the surprising journey of what happens to the saliva in rice and its vital role in the digestive process.

The digestive process starts long before food reaches the stomach, beginning with the sights, smells, and sensations in your mouth. This initial step has led to the popular notion of mindful mastication, but **should you chew your food 30 times**?