Slow down

We all know that eating fast food is unhealthy but did you know that eating food fast is also unhealthy?

Eating too fast can be a major cause of indigestion and, according to at least one study, may increase the risk of heartburn or gastric reflux. A study conducted and presented at Digestive Disease Week showed that healthy volunteers who ate their meals in five minutes experienced more heartburn and acid reflux than those who consumed their meal during a more leisurely thirty minute time interval. If you have a tendency to experience heartburn after a meal, try to schedule at least thirty minutes for a meal. You just may find it improves your symptoms.

Eating too fast may also cause us to overeat. It takes about 20 minutes for our brains to register that we're full. If we eat fast, we can continue eating past the point where we're full. If we eat slowly, we have time to realize we're full, and stop on time.

Sitting down with family or friends and taking time to enjoy your food is good in so many ways. It will make you eat slower which we have already discussed the health benefits. It will make you laugh (I hope) and laughter is another effective way to aid the digestion process.

Also studies have shown that by putting on slow background music it can make a person eat food at a slower rate

So slow down, enjoy your meal and give yourself a better chance to be healthy.