Chewing Your Food May Help Protect Your Health! Here's How! by Mei Marcie

Ever wonder if there is any science behind your parents telling you to chew your food? A study conducted by the University of Manchester in the UK aimed to investigate whether chewing affects the production of TH17 cells – antigens that defend your body against potentially harmful pathogens.

Testing on mice, it was found that mice that were fed soft-textured food that required less chewing had lower levels of TH17 cells. The mechanical force required by mastication – also known as chewing – leads to physiological abrasion, which, in turn, increases the production of protective TH17 cells. The study was published in the journal Immunity. 

While chewing is protective, excessive chewing is not recommended, as it is also associated with other conditions such as gum disease and gum infection. 

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