What is the function of saliva

Saliva is what we call spit. Everyone produces a lot of saliva every day, but what is the function of saliva? Many people are not aware of the many uses of saliva. We secrete about 1000 ml or more saliva every day. The main component of saliva is water, which can lubricate, inhibit bacteria and aid digestion. In addition, if the saliva changes in color, it also indicates the arrival of disease.

We often think of saliva as a dirty thing, especially when we see something disgusting, we always want to spit. In fact, saliva is not only not dirty, but also has many benefits to people.

Saliva, medically known as spit. It is a colorless, transparent, foamy liquid. The amount of saliva our human body secretes every day is very large, similar to the amount of urine, about 1000-1500ml per day.

Saliva mainly comes from the secretion of glands under the oral mucosa and nearby tissues. The main component of saliva is water, accounting for more than 99%, of which solids, organic matter, inorganic matter, etc. are less than 1%.

The role of saliva

Data shows that saliva contains various components of plasma, as well as a variety of enzymes and vitamins, minerals, organic acids, and even hormones. It has anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, digestion-aiding and anti-aging effects on humans.

Specifically, there may be the following eight benefits:

1. Disease indication function. Under normal circumstances, saliva is colorless and odorless. When it contains bacteria, viruses, food residues and other secretions, it will produce an odor.

2. Lubrication effect. Saliva lubricates the mouth, keeps it moist, and makes it easier for food to pass through the mouth into the esophagus and stomach.

3. Antibacterial effect. It is because of the existence of saliva that our oral cavity remains healthy. Saliva inhibits the reproduction of oral bacteria and reduces inflammation in the throat, mouth, gums and other parts of the body.

4. Aid digestion. Saliva is actually a kind of digestive fluid, which contains digestive enzymes. The most representative one is salivary amylase, which can break down the monosaccharides in starchy foods, making the food sweet and allowing us to enjoy the beauty of food.

5. Make us eat happier. We can taste the flavor of food because our taste buds sense different stimulations, but taste buds are generally hidden deep on the tongue and are distributed in different positions. Only when saliva moistens the food and allows the small molecules on the food to stimulate the taste buds can the sour, sweet, bitter, spicy and salty flavors we know be produced.

6. Flushing and diluting effects. A large amount of saliva also takes away food residues during swallowing, keeping teeth clean and healthy. At the same time, saliva dilutes irritating tastes such as bitter, salty, and spicy, reducing pain in the mouth.

7. Hemostatic effect. Saliva does promote blood coagulation.

8. Some information shows that saliva also contains nerve growth hormone, which may shorten the healing time of wounds and accelerate the healing of burned skin.

However, when your fingers are injured, can you really disinfect them by licking them with your tongue?

This is almost a routine in many TV dramas, but is it reliable?

In fact, using saliva to stop bleeding or disinfect is not reliable at all, and it may also increase the transmission rate of diseases. For example, some diseases transmitted by menstrual blood may occur in this process.

Although the lysozyme in saliva can kill bacteria, the content is extremely small and it is difficult to play a bactericidal role. At the same time, saliva also contains a variety of bacteria. If accompanied by other oral diseases, the saliva at this time will be a complete source of contamination for the wound.

So, next time your hand is cut or pricked by a needle, don’t lick it with your tongue. The key is to rinse it with water or disinfectant and bandage it carefully.