Chewing has long been considered beneficial for digestion and nutrient absorption. But what you chew apparently could have a surprising impact on your brain too. A new study reveals that munching on harder foods, like wood, may boost memory and enhance brain health in ways softer foods can’t.
The findings, published in Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience, suggest that the act of chewing itself might have a direct influence on cognitive health. But chewing on harder foods can actually contribute a lot to your cognitive health. According to the researchers, chewing wood stimulated the formation of glutathione, a key brain antioxidant, more effectively than chewing gum.
