Modernity and other societal changes often have the unfortunate side-effect of breeding disdain for how things were done in the past. While there are some things we’d do well to live in the past, we often run the risk of throwing away the baby with the bath water. One of the things many people no longer do is eat with their hands, having advanced to forks and knives. Here are the benefits of eating your hands that will hopefully make you pick this old practice up with renewed vigor.
Promotes mindful eating
Eating with your hands makes you more present and more conscious of the activity you’re engaged in. This can enhance the taste and aroma, making for a more pleasant experience overall as you feel your food and the different textures. Being more conscious as you eat can even help prevent overeating. It also has a calming effect which can promote digestion and better assimilation of nutrients.
Digestive benefits
Eating with your hands slows you down which in turn ensures proper digestion. It’s so beneficial for digestion that people with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome respond favorably to eating with their hands. The act of eating with your hands also signals to your body that it should get ready to start the digestive process. Our bodies also have good bacteria that inhabit the skin, when you eat with your hands, this healthy flora is introduced to the body and helps fight destructive bacteria, helping boost your immunity. You need this gut bacteria for digestion. This however doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wash your hands.
Prevents type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is more prevalent in people who eat fast. Eating fast has also been linked to blood sugar spikes when cutlery is used. Fast eating also increases the risk of not feeling full which leads to overeating which can increase insulin resistance and ultimately raise blood sugar levels. This is why eating with your hands is recommended among lifestyle changes when one is diagnosed with diabetes.
Blood circulation
Eating with your hands is an excellent muscle exercise in itself which increases blood circulation in your fingers. The movement of the hands improves blood flow which has a positive impact on overall health. Eat with your hands and call it your daily workout if anyone asks about your regimen.
Prevents burning
Say goodbye to burning your tongue or the roof of your mouth. Your hands function as temperature sensors preventing you from burning your tongue.
May help in weight reduction
Eating with your hands makes you move slower and increases the likelihood of feeling full, preventing overeating which can help with weight reduction. Eating with cutlery is such a mechanical process that makes it difficult to manage food portions. Mindless eating is one of the biggest factors in weight gain.
Just make sure you wash your hands, and your nails are not long because food particles can get stuck in there which can have unfortunate consequences.
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