Eating slowly: digestion begins in your mind
Before food even reaches the stomach, the body has already begun to digest it. Our mental state, breathing, and the way we eat influence how our body processes food much more than we usually imagine.
Many people believe that digestion begins in the stomach. However, from a physiological standpoint—and also from integrative approaches like Psychoneuroimmunology—the digestive process begins much earlier: in the brain.
When we see food, smell it, or even think about it, the nervous system triggers a series of responses that prepare the body for digestion. Enzymes are released, saliva production increases, and the digestive system begins to get to work. This phenomenon is known as the cephalic phase of digestion.
The problem is that many times we eat in a very different state than what the body needs.
In everyday life, it's common to eat in a rush, in front of the computer, while looking at your phone, or thinking about everything else that still needs to be done. From the outside, it seems harmless, but internally, the body is in a state that is not conducive to digestion.
The nervous system has two main modes of operation.
One is the alert or stress mode, associated with the sympathetic nervous system. The other is the rest and repair mode, linked to the parasympathetic system.
Digestion only works properly in this second state.
When we eat in a hurry or under stress, the body interprets that it's not a time for digestion. Blood is directed towards the muscles and brain, and the digestive system takes a backseat. The result may be familiar to many: heavy digestion, abdominal bloating, gas, or feeling tired after eating.
From psychoneuroimmunology, a simple but profound idea is insisted upon: it's not just what we eat that matters, but also how we eat it.
The importance of activating the digestive system
One of the simplest tools for improving digestion is to embrace something that seems obvious, but that we often forget: eating slowly.
Taking a few minutes before starting to eat, breathing deeply, or simply observing the dish can help the body shift states. Deep breathing activates the vagus nerve, one of the main communication pathways between the brain and the digestive system.
This small gesture promotes the secretion of digestive enzymes and prepares the stomach to receive food.
Montse Bradford, from her energetic nutrition approach, also reminds us that the way we relate to food influences how we assimilate it. Eating with presence, chewing well, and paying attention to flavors makes the digestive process much more efficient.
Chewing: the first step of digestion
One of the most.
The digestion of many foods begins in the mouth thanks to the enzymes present in saliva. When we eat too quickly, food reaches the stomach poorly processed, forcing the digestive system to work harder.
Chewing well not only aids digestion, but also helps regulate satiety. The brain needs a few minutes to receive the signal that we have eaten enough. Eating slowly allows that message to arrive on time.
The link between digestion and well-being
There is growing evidence that the digestive system and the nervous system are deeply connected. The so-called gut-brain axis explains why our emotions can influence digestion and why, in turn, the state of the gut affects how we feel.
That's why creating small rituals around food can have a real impact on health.
Sitting at the table without distractions, breathing for a few moments before starting, chewing attentively, or simply taking the necessary time for your meal are simple actions that can transform the digestive experience.
It's not about doing it perfectly or adding new rules. It's more about re-establishing a more conscious relationship with something as basic as eating.
Because, many times, improving digestion doesn't start in the kitchen, but in the way we sit at the table.
If you're interested in delving deeper into how diet and the body's rhythms relate to hormonal balance, you can also read the article “Hormones and Feminine Balance: How to Adapt Your Practice and Diet to Each Phase”, where we explore how hormonal changes influence energy, metabolism, and nutritional needs throughout the cycle.
And if you want to better understand which foods can help you improve your digestion, your energy, and your general well-being, you can learn more about our Nutritional plans, designed to accompany you in a personalized way.
