Go with your gut
GUT health is the hottest wellness topic of 2019, but one mired in myth and bad science. We ask dietitian Anna Hardman and nutritionist Lily Soutter for their verdicts on common digestion myths.
MYTH #1: Chewing food 20 times helps your digestion
This “rule” has been taught to children for years but isn’t strictly true, says Hardman. “In the mouth, the food mixes with saliva to begin the process of breaking food down into a form your body can absorb. It doesn’t matter if you chew your food five or 20 times.”
MYTH #2: Red meat causes cancer
“Red meat does not necessarily cause cancer but a diet high in red and processed meats has been linked to an increase in the risk of certain cancers, including bowel cancer,” says Hardman.
“It’s recommended that anyone who eats more than 90g (cooked weight) of red or processed meat should reduce to 70g per day to reduce risk of developing cancer.”
MYTH #3: Lying down after eating is better for digestion
“For some people, doing this can irritate symptoms of acid reflux and indigestion,” says Soutter. “Sleeping on your right side has been found to relax the muscles between the stomach and oesophagus, leading to reflux.”
MYTH #4: Chewing gum sits in the stomach for years
“While gum won’t be properly digested, it’s not going to sit in our stomach for years,” says Soutter. “Your stomach can’t break down gum the way it breaks down other food, but the digestive system can move it through normal intestinal activity.”
MYTH #5: Standing while eating helps you lose kilos
“Eating while standing up may burn more calories than eating while sitting, but it may also lead to us eating more quickly,” says Soutter. “Research shows that eating slowly can improve feelings of satiety.”