Breathe Better, Live Better with NYT Best-Selling Author, James Nestor | 307 | Kelly LeVeque

Chewing Impact

Chewing plays a crucial role in the development of facial structure and respiratory health, especially in children. James Nestor emphasizes the importance of allowing children to chew real food, as it helps in the proper growth of their palate and airway, ultimately affecting their breathing later in life 1. He suggests that parents should encourage their children to chew solid foods, as it builds a strong foundation for airway health and calms them down 2.

Not every kid is going to be in that calm zone, but this is teaching them to keep their mouth shut. You have a community here, you're all eating together.

--- James Nestor

This practice not only supports better breathing but also contributes to overall health by promoting a parasympathetic state during meals.

   

Dietary Effects

The rise of industrialized foods has significantly impacted respiratory health by altering facial structures. James Nestor explains that the shift to softer, processed foods has led to smaller mouths and narrower airways, contributing to breathing difficulties 3. This change, occurring over the last few centuries, has resulted in a high prevalence of crooked teeth and other oral deformations 4.

It's so common that we've accepted it as normal, but there's nothing normal about it.

--- James Nestor

By understanding these changes, we can begin to address the root causes of poor respiratory health and work towards solutions that promote better breathing.