Introduction: Many people know that chewing food slowly is not only good for digestion but also a great way to prevent weight gain. In fact, the benefits of chewing more go far beyond that. A study by the Chewing Society at Gifu University in Japan found that when subjects chewed their food for just two minutes, their accuracy in answering questions increased by 30% compared to normal. This result suggests that two minutes of chewing can improve memory.
Researchers have found that chewing stimulates the part of the brain responsible for memory. Cells in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls learning, deteriorate with age, leading to a decline in short-term memory. However, the act of chewing can increase the activity of hippocampal cells and prevent them from aging.
Researchers at Northumbria University in the UK have similarly confirmed that more chewing can speed up heart rate and increase the secretion of brain hormones, which in turn improves thinking and memory abilities.
In addition, chewing also promotes saliva secretion, and the area of the brain responsible for saliva secretion is closely related to memory and learning.