A new study, published in the journal PLOS One, suggests that poor mastication (chewing) among Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) patients raises glucose levels in their blood. This could be due to dental problems like tooth decay or poorly fitting dentures. Mastication is known to be fundamental in absorbing essential nutrients such as calcium, dietary fiber, and magnesium which help counteract T2D’s effects. Good mastication can also reduce the likelihood of developing T2D. Moreover, poor mastication is associated with several other health problems, including cardiovascular disease, strokes, obesity, and cognitive impairment.
Additionally, good mastication can substantially reduce post-meal blood glucose levels by increasing the presence of anorexigenic gut peptide YY and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) in the intestine tissue. This subsequently enhances early-phase insulin secretion. The study’s authors, Yeter E. Bayram and Mehmet A. Eskan, emphasize the importance of the link between mastication and blood glucose given that an upsurge of 1% in blood glucose escalates the risk of cardiovascular disease and ischemic heart disease mortality in T2D patients by 40%.
Bayram and Eskan collected data from 94 subjects diagnosed with T2D for more than a year in Istanbul, Turkey. They grouped the participants according to the level of dental occlusion, which is the contact between the two sets of teeth. The group with the best occlusal function served as the control group, while others struggled with chewing because of missing or misplaced teeth. By providing denture support to patients with missing or misplaced teeth, the researchers found that their blood glucose levels lowered significantly. This study is the first of its kind to make a clear link between good mastication and blood glucose levels.
In conclusion, the study’s findings strengthen the association between mastication and controlling blood glucose levels in T2D patients. Therefore, ensuring that patients have good dental health and are provided with denture support if needed can play a crucial role in mitigating blood glucose level fluctuations.
