Chewing Ability Linked to Lower Dementia Risk
A new study from the Department of Odontology and the Aging Research Center at the Karolinska Institutet and from Karlstad University found that older adults who maintain their chewing ability are less likely to develop dementia compared to those who have difficulty chewing or cannot chew at all.
It has already been suggested that the more people chew, the smarter they become. A study published a few years ago showed results that students who chew gum on a regular basis had higher standardized math scores than their counterparts who do not chew as regularly. This new study furthers these results to suggest that chewing not only makes us smarter, but helps us retain cognitive functions later in life.
The theory behind these results is that chewing increases the blood flow to the head, and more specifically, the brain. Less blood flow to the brain leads to a higher risk of dementia. Older adults who maintain chewing ability will decrease their chances of experiencing the specific cognitive deficits that accompany dementia.
Until this research, a national survey of older adults and their chewing ability had not been performed. A group in Sweden did just that, gathering data from a representative sample of 577 older adults. When controlling for confounding factors such as education, sex, age, and mental health, the researchers found that older adults who chew harder substances (like apples) with relative ease had a lower risk of developing dementia. Those who had difficulty chewing or could no longer chew due to tooth loss were more likely to develop dementia.
Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/251303.php
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
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