Excessive chewing of food may be a sign that men are at risk of dementia.
One study found that men aged 60 or older who took 30 or more bites per bite had a 2.9 times higher risk of developing the disease than those who took fewer than ten bites.
Five additional stings were linked to a 16 percent increased risk.
The results also show that a greater number of chews was associated with a smaller brain volume.
Previous research has shown that chewing can stimulate the brain.
The harder you chew, the greater the blood flow to the brain, generating more oxygen and activity in key regions of the brain.
Excessive chewing of food may be a sign that men are at risk of dementia (file photo)
The harder you chew, the greater the blood flow to the brain, generating more oxygen and activity in key regions of the brain (file photo)
Researchers suggest that men with dementia may be trying to compensate for a decline in cognitive power by chewing frequently to stimulate blood flow in the brain.
The effect was not seen in women and it is believed that this is because their bite is not as strong as that of men.
Researchers at Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine in South Korea told the Journal of Korean Medical Science: “Chewing frequently and vigorously during meals may be an effort to cope with the progression of dementia.”
They say regular assessment of chewing habits could help identify those who may be at risk of dementia.