2007-03-23 05:21:34 · 17 answers · asked by liz N 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
It contains enzymes that begin to digest the food and makes it easier to swallow
2007-03-23 05:24:31 · answer #1 · answered by emily_jane2379 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The digestive functions of saliva include moistening food, and helping to create a food bolus, so it can be swallowed easily. Saliva contains the enzyme amylase that breaks some starches down into maltose and dextrin. Thus, digestion of food occurs within the mouth, even before food reaches the stomach.
Saliva also has an important protective function, in that it helps prevent against tooth decay and erosion by way of its buffering properties. Tooth decay (or erosion) progresses rapidly when the oral environment becomes acidic (eg. after consuming a soft drink or from bacterial fermentation). Bicarbonate ions contained within saliva will act to neutralize this change in acidity, thus helping maintain a constant pH. By maintaining optimal pH levels, the rate of demineralisation (loss of tooth structure) is minimized.
There has been some disagreement regarding the daily salivary output in a healthy individual. Today, it is believed that the average person produces about 700mL of saliva per day, which is much less than originally thought.
2007-03-23 05:26:56 · answer #2 · answered by shygal 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The main function of saliva are to provide enzymes, chemicals, that break down the food you eat.
2007-03-23 05:26:23 · answer #3 · answered by John M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Saliva is the first step in the digestive process. It begins breaking down the food to make it easier to chew and swallow.
2007-03-23 05:26:46 · answer #4 · answered by aqx99 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Saliva helps soften the food and prepare the enzymes (proteases, lipases ect.) ready to break down the food. It gets your stomach ready to digest the broken down food. Also helps the food go down much easier.
2007-03-23 11:39:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, if you put a piece of bread in your mouth for a few minutes it will begin to taste sweet, this is because glucose is a sugar and the enzyme is working on the bread.
2007-03-23 09:47:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It contains the enzyme amylase which begins to break down (digest) starches into sugars as soon as you begin to chew. It also helps lubricate the mouth and throat so swallowing is easier and protects the delicate membranes lining the oral area.
2007-03-23 05:28:18 · answer #7 · answered by tigerfly 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It provides two (perhpas more, but this is just what I know off the top of my head):
1. A lubricant for swallowing foods and
2. It contains enzymes that assists in the breakdown of the food/drink.
2007-03-23 05:30:02 · answer #8 · answered by rouschkateer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lubricates and binds
solubilizes dry food
oral hygiene
initiates starch digestion
provides alkaline buffering and fluid
evaporative cooling
in a nutshell !
2007-03-23 05:30:35 · answer #9 · answered by sweet one 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Acts in the breaking down of food
2007-03-23 05:33:30 · answer #10 · answered by jeff 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋