In a day and age when most people are strapped for time, they tend to do everything with a sense of hurry. More people are beginning to eat while on the go. This means eating quickly without taking the time to enjoy the food. When people eat on the move, they tend to gobble the food down and swallow it without chewing it thoroughly. A new study is now showing that eating too quickly can increase the risk for diabetes.
The research was conducted in Lithuania and presented at the International Congress of Endocrinology in Florence, Italy. The study compared 234 people with type 2 diabetes and 468 individuals without the condition. It was discovered that those who quickly shove food down their throats were more than twice as likely to have diabetes as those who chew their food longer.
The study also showed that the participants with diabetes were more likely to have a higher body mass index.
The head of the study, Lina Radzeviciene, said that diabetes is due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. She also added that modified risk factors must be identified to help cut down the chances of developing the disease for those at risk.
It is also important to add that while an association was found between diabetes and eating in haste, this does not equate to a cause and effect relationship.
Previous studies published in the Journal of American Dietetic Association also suggested a link between diabetes and speed eating.
Humans have teeth for a reason. Every spoonful of food you put in your mouth should be grinded and chewed until it is mush. Food that has not been broken down into smaller bits can place unnecessary burden on your digestive tracks. Taking your time while eating will also make your meals more enjoyable.