PARENTS will be gobsmacked at the latest advice from scientists — who insist that children should eat with their mouths open.
Generations of parents have taught their children that eating that way is messy, loud and disgusting.
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Now, however, researchers led by Charles Spence (Oxford Professor of Experimental Psychology), claim it makes grub more delicious.
Their work is based upon meats, fruits, and vegetables that all contain what are called volatile organic compounds.
These make up characteristic aromas and contribute to the food’s flavour.
Chew open-mouthed to increase the amount of these molecules reaching the back of your nose. This stimulates olfactory sensory neurons that enhance our sense of taste and enjoyment of food.
Prof Spence said: “We’ve been doing it all wrong.
“Chewing open-mouthed may actually contribute to our sense of smell and the overall perception.”
He went on: “And when it comes to sound, we like noisy foods — think crunchy, crispy.
“To best hear the crunch of an apple, a potato crisp, a carrot stick, a cracker, crispbread or a handful of popcorn, we should always ditch our manners and chew with our mouths open.”
Prof Spence’s team is looking at what affects our perceptions of food to learn more about brain functions.
He suggested that we should also eat with our fingers whenever possible to feel the sensation of touch.