Some people tend to prefer soft, mushy, and greasy foods, while avoiding hard and tough foods. This can be harmful to the body in the long run, so it is important to have a balanced diet that includes both soft and hard foods.
The reason why it is harmful to have a preference for soft foods is that they require less chewing and can be easily swallowed with minimal effort. This reduces the opportunity for chewing and keeps the teeth relatively inactive. As the saying goes, "use it or lose it," the lack of exercise for the teeth can lead to decreased chewing ability, misalignment of teeth, and underdeveloped jaw. Many related muscles also do not get the exercise they need. In addition, a preference for soft foods can also lead to vision deterioration. When chewing, the facial muscles are activated, which promotes the adjustment function of the eyes and enhances vision. On the contrary, when the facial muscles are less active, the adjustment function of the eyeballs decreases, affecting vision.
When chewing harder foods, not only does it stimulate saliva secretion, but the repeated contraction of the chewing muscles in the mouth can also promote blood circulation in the brain and accelerate the metabolism of brain tissues. Studies have found that chewing function is closely related to the central nervous system. Chewing stimulates blood circulation in the brain through jaw joint movements, enhances the activation of the cerebral cortex, and prevents brain aging. If the brain is not regularly stimulated, it will degenerate and shrink. This is why it is important to stimulate the brain by fully utilizing the chewing function of the teeth to delay aging. Only consuming soft foods can lead to decreased mental vitality.
In daily diet, it is recommended to include some slightly harder foods such as dried fruits, beans, and crispy rice, and consciously chew them repeatedly to promote the transmission of dental nerve and better blood circulation in the oral gums. This allows the teeth to receive more nutrients and prevents gum recession and periodontal disease.
It is also recommended to include 1-2 hard or relatively hard foods in the diet, such as boiled soybeans, fried peanuts, fried gluten, stir-fried dried vegetables, small dried fish that can be chewed with bones, and crispy pickled vegetables and cucumber salad. For snacks, it is advisable to choose relatively crispy and hard food options and exercise the chewing muscles from time to time. This helps activate the brain cells and prevent premature aging and degeneration caused by "inactivity". Therefore, it is recommended for elderly people who have lost their teeth to get dentures as soon as possible to restore chewing function, which is beneficial for the health of elderly dementia patients.
People must pay attention to a balanced diet that includes both soft and hard foods. However, it is important not to bite on excessively hard things, such as using teeth to chew on bones or open bottle caps.
Warm reminder from the editor:
Nuts are the essence of plants and are generally rich in nutrients, including protein, fat, minerals, and vitamins. They have excellent effects on human growth, physical strength, and disease prevention. There are many types of nuts, such as cashews, hazelnuts, walnuts, pine nuts, chestnuts, and ginkgo nuts, all of which have important roles in maintaining health. For example, regularly eating hazelnuts can prevent and treat heart disease, cancer, and vascular diseases, and can also improve eyesight and brain health. Sunflower seeds can prevent cell death in the lower layers of the skin and make hair soft and beautiful. Almonds from the United States can lower blood lipids. Chestnuts are best for treating kidney deficiency and weakness in the lower back and legs. Pine nuts can lower blood pressure and prevent arteriosclerosis. Pistachios are friends of the heart and regular consumption can reduce the risk of heart disease.
