Only On The Walters Post

I’ve spent a lot of time talking to old-timers over the years, sitting on their porches, listening to their stories. And one thing I noticed? A lot of them had a habit of chewing on a small piece of white birch, something like a homemade toothpick, cut fresh from a tree. It was just something they did, maybe out of habit, or maybe for a little taste of the outdoors. Back then, I didn’t think much of it, but now, I wonder… could they have been onto something?

Turns out, modern research might back up this old tradition. A recent study found that chewing on hard materials like wood can boost levels of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant in the brain. (Glutathione is a natural substance found in our cells that helps protect the body from damage caused by stress, toxins, and aging.) This little compound plays a big role in protecting neurons from oxidative stress, which is linked to cognitive decline. (Oxidative stress happens when harmful molecules called free radicals build up in the body, damaging cells and leading to aging and disease.) In fact, the study showed that people who chewed wood, not gum, but actual wood… had higher glutathione levels and performed better on memory tests.

White birch, in particular, has long been known for its medicinal properties. The bark contains betulin and betulinic acid, compounds studied for their potential anti-inflammatory and even anti-cancer effects. (Betulin and betulinic acid are natural chemicals found in birch bark that may help reduce swelling and fight off harmful cells in the body.) Indigenous groups used birch for everything from wound care to teas for digestion. And those old-timers? Well, maybe they weren’t just keeping their mouths busy, they might have been giving their brains a little boost without even realizing it.

At any rate, maybe it was an old trick for keeping the mind sharp.

Scientists today as smart as some are, are just starting to catch up to what folks knew all along. Makes you wonder what other simple traditions we’ve forgotten along the way.

Until the next time: Keep Your Minds Open &Your Stories Alive. GW