Eating too
fast may increase obesity
People
who eat slowly are less likely to become obese or develop metabolic
syndrome, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart
Association’s Scientific Sessions 2017.
The
study participants were grouped according to their speed of eating food into slow,
normal or fast. After five years, it was found:
·
Fast eaters were more likely (11.6%) to
have developed metabolic syndrome than normal eaters (6.5%) or slow eaters (2.3%).
·
Faster eating speed was associated with
more weight gain, higher blood glucose and larger waistline.
Metabolic
syndrome occurs when someone has any of three risk factors that include
abdominal obesity, high fasting blood sugar, high blood pressure, high
triglycerides and/or low HDL cholesterol.
According to the researchers, eating
fast causes bigger glucose fluctuations, which can lead to insulin resistance.
People who eat too fast without chewing their food tend to overeat as they tend
not to feel full.
Our shastras
including Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Bhagwad Gita and the various Upanishads also
tell us “You are what you eat”. Mealtime practices influence health.
It is important to
be aware of the food we are eating. This is called mindful eating, which means
being aware of the hunger and satiety signals. It also means using all the five
senses while eating: colors (eye), smells (nose), flavors (taste), textures
(touch) and sound while chewing (ear) of the food.
In Chapter 6 Shloka
17 of the Bhagwad Gita Krishna says to Arjuna “Yukaharaviharasya yuktachestasya karmasu. Yuktasvapnavabodhasya yoga
bhavati duhkhaha”. It means "the one, whose diet and movements are
balanced, whose actions are proper, whose hours of sleeping and waking up are
regular, and who follows the path of meditation, is the destroyer of pain or
unhappiness."
With mindful
eating, you are more aware of hunger and satiety cues, so you eat less.
Chewing food well improves
digestion and more nutrients are absorbed as well.
Chewing food well also
helps to eat less. You will enjoy every bite and relish the flavors of food.

(Source: AHA News Release, November
13, 2017)
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