To chew food, the first stage of digestion. Mastication uses the teeth to cut and grind food while the tongue and cheeks position it, mixing it with saliva to form a soft bolus ready for swallowing. Thorough chewing increases the surface area available to digestive enzymes, eases the stomach’s work, and enhances flavour release. The term also appears in industry, where mastication describes mechanical chewing-like processing. Dental health, jaw function, and even mindful eating habits all influence how well food is masticated. For older people or those with dental problems, poorly masticated food can impair digestion and nutrient intake.