There is unfinished business here concerning Fletcherism and his lifelong passion to liquify our food before swallowing. Saliva contains several beneficial ingredients that include amylase, lipase, and lysozyme. The first two are enzymes that break down carbohydrates and fats. Lysozyme, also known as muramidase or N-acetylmuramide glycanhydrolase, is an antimicrobial enzyme produced by animals that forms part of the immune system. Fletcherism is basically a way to facilitate your body's innate wisdom.
So chew your food thoroughly and that includes shakes. You may think that since they are already "liquids" that they don't need such extensive mastication. Think again. They are really suspensions of solids within the liquid.
I learned about this from my paternal grandmother Nellie by the time I was six. Her advice was a bit different, though. She encouraged us to chew 22 times before the swallow. I suppose that was adequate for some foods but probably not for the majority.
So Eat, Be Strong, & Enjoy!
