US researchers released a report on the 8th stating that eating slowly can help people consume fewer calories while increasing the enjoyment of their meals.
A team led by Ms. Andrade from the University of Rhode Island conducted a study with 30 young women, having them eat the same portion of pasta over two days. On the first day, Andrade instructed them to eat as quickly as possible without feeling uncomfortable, without pausing between every two bites. On another day, she asked the participants to eat small bites, chewing each one 20 to 30 times.
The researchers found that when the participants ate slowly, they consumed an average of nearly 70 fewer calories than when they ate quickly. They also felt fuller and more satisfied after the meal.
The researchers explained that several appetite-related hormones in the body can "signal" people to stop eating after they are full. However, since the body needs time to react after being full, people who eat quickly do not have enough time for this response, leading to overeating. Eating slowly provides time for the hormones to send the fullness signal, allowing people to consume fewer calories while better enjoying the color, aroma, and taste of the food.
This research finding provides a scientific basis for the long-standing advice from nutritionists that eating slowly helps with weight control. The study was published in the latest issue of the *American Journal of Clinical Nutrition*.