Naturally Nourished

How much thought have you given to the importance of a good chew? While this may sound like a random topic, the simple act of chewing—and making sure the diet includes tough and crunchy foods—has a profound impact on our health. From digestion and metabolism to oral health, facial development, and even the way we breathe, chewing plays a foundational role. In this episode, we explore how modern diets of ultra-processed, soft foods have contributed to metabolic dysfunction, altered jaw structure, and impaired breathing patterns that can disrupt sleep and brain function. We also dive into the surprising neurological benefits of chewing, including its role in satiety, memory, and mental health. Chewing activates the vagus nerve and stimulates the release of cholecystokinin, a hormone that supports memory, learning, and appetite regulation. It also reduces stress responses, boosting activity in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Research even suggests that soft diets can decrease synaptic density and hippocam