„Basenfasten empfiehlt 30 Mal kauen“ – was ist da dran?
You may also have heard the advice from various sources and people to chew 30 times. It sounds like a lot when you first hear it! If you count how much you chew yourself without challenging yourself to "chew more", you can sometimes end up with a single-digit number! Of course, this advice cannot apply to every type of food, as we don't have to force ourselves to "chew liquid" with porridges.
However, we also recommend our Alkaline fasting guestschew more than usual or perhaps it feels natural at first. However, 30 times is a good guideline for crunchy or easily chewable food. The aim of alkaline fasting is to relieve the intestines and the body as a whole as much as possible and at the same time to optimise the supply of nutrients. Thorough chewing can make a much bigger difference to both than you might think!
Chewing chops the food into small pieces
By chewing thoroughly, the food is broken down into smaller pieces, which makes the stomach's work easier. The stomach no longer has to grind the food as much in order to transport it further into the intestine. In addition, the food is mixed with saliva, which makes the food more mushy and softer. This helps the stomach to work less and thus save energy. The food is also broken down better and the nutrients can be better absorbed. This is particularly important for raw food so that the food can be optimally utilised.
The saliva makes the food mushy and adds digestive enzymes
You may also have noticed that when you eat too quickly, you experience digestive problems such as flatulence, bloating or heartburn. This is not only due to the fact that larger chunks are swallowed, but also because digestion begins in the mouth. The saliva mixes the food with enzymes and these begin to break down the food in the mouth. Specifically, the breakdown of carbohydrates begins in the mouth with the help of the enzyme ptyalin.
Chewing for longer allows us to perceive flavours more subtly
Conscious and increased chewing therefore helps with digestion so that we feel good in our bodies after eating. But chewing more during the meal can also lead to more enjoyment! Firstly, we take the time to consciously perceive the different flavours of the food. You can surprise yourself when you discover the flavours of potatoes in detail; after all, you've eaten them so often! Or consciously perceive the flavours of tomatoes, peppers and spinach. How do they taste in combination and how does the flavour change when I eat different parts of the meal together?
Not only that, but you may also notice how the flavour changes as you chew. As carbohydrates are broken down in the mouth, after chewing for a while you may notice that the flavour becomes sweeter because starch has been broken down into sugar. The luxury and pleasure of absorbing all the flavour nuances can be enjoyed in the course of a Alkaline fasting holiday After all, you usually have fewer or hardly any appointments and can take this moment for yourself.
We invite you to take time to consciously perceive and enjoy the meal
This means that daily meals can also serve as a mindfulness practice. How exactly does this food taste to me? How does it feel in my stomach? How do I perceive the temperature - is it good for me at this moment, or would I perhaps prefer something warm rather than a cool salad? This can not only be good for the body, but can also bring the mind into the here and now, which is often accompanied by a feeling of letting go and greater serenity.
We invite you to try it out for yourself: chew the food for longer until it takes on a mushy texture free of larger chunks. Consciously feel what it feels like to eat this food and how it tastes. Have fun and relax. ?
