Men Who Cannot Chew Well Prone to Metabolic Syndrome: Found First in the World after Four Years of Follow-Up

January 12, 2022

The research group of Professor ONO Takahiro (Division of Comprehensive Prosthodontics, Niigata University Faculty of Dentistry & Graduate School of medical and Dental Sciences), Professor IKEBE Kazunori (Department of Prosthodontics, Gerodontology and Oral Rehabilitation, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry) and Specially Appointed Director KOKUBO Yoshihiro (Center for Cerebral and Cardiovascular Disease Information, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center) conducted research to explore the relationship between masticatory performance (ability to chew things finely) and metabolic syndrome (Note 1) morbidity measured by a standardized method in randomly selected general residents in urban areas. As a result of following 599 men and women in their 50s to 70s for an average of 4.4 years, it became clear that the new prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 2.2 times higher in men when the masticatory performance was low. Especially the risk of high blood pressure, dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia were high. Interestingly, this tendency was not seen in females. Not chewing well leads to the risk of lifestyle-related diseases, though it should be noted that there are gender differences.

Research Results

  • Random sampling of 599 urban residents in their 50s and 70s was conducted for 4.4 years.
  • The ability to chew things finely (masticatory performance) was measured objectively.
  • As a result, it was clarified that not chewing well is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome only in men, even if the effects of other risk factors are adjusted for.
[Glossary]

(Note 1) Metabolic syndrome:
Metabolic Syndrome refers to a combination of lifestyle-related diseases such as high blood pressure, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and obesity. This is defined as a condition leading to arteriosclerotic diseases (stroke, myocardial infarction, etc.), which is the second leading cause of death of Japanese. Specific medical examinations are conducted for people over 40 years old for prevention.

Publication Details

Journal: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
Title: Lower masticatory performance is a risk for the development of the metabolic syndrome: the Suita study
Authors: Shuri Fushida, Takayuki Kosaka, Michikazu Nakai, Momoyo Kida, Takashi Nokubi, Yoshihiro Kokubo, Makoto Watanabe, Yoshihiro Miyamoto, Takahiro Ono and Kazunori Ikebe
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.752667

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