The salivary glands in our mouth produce about 1-2 litres of saliva daily. Blood plasma is used as the basis, from which the salivary glands extract some substances and add various others. The list of ingredients found so far in saliva is long, and growing. Just as varied are the many functions, of which only a few major ones will be outlined below.
An important role of saliva during eating is based in its sliminess. During mastication the dry, crumbly or disintegrating food turns into a soft, cohesive lump, the “bolus”.1 This bolus is held together by long, thread-like molecules, the mucins, which get tangled up at their ends. Moreover, mucins bind large quantities of water and thus keep the bolus moist and soft. This is important for us not to choke on the food or let the oesophagus get damaged by rough food particles.
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Saliva is the spiritual fluid in the body
Many people are unaware that the legendary fountain of youth is actually contained within their own body. Yes, those everyday fluids of saliva, urine, breastmilk, semen and tears all have powerful healing properties that keep you healthy and young! Rather than reaching for expensive, invasive or toxic substances to preserve your youth and health, start to understand what your own body produces, and how it can act as your personal, free, and powerful fountain of youth.
Even though the mouth contains bacteria from undigested food, wounds heal much more quickly there than those in other locations, such as the skin and bones, and they tend to heal without scarring. Today, science has found that saliva has the components of a healing agent, and that the ancient wisdom is correct. As a result of these findings, scientists have been working to isolate the parts of saliva that contribute to the healing of wounds and burns, with the hope and intention of creating new drugs. An ever-expanding literature exists indicating that the salivary glands secrete a wide range of growth factors, and animal studies with epidermal growth factor have provided evidence for a role in both oral and systemic health, through the promotion of wound healing. Thus, saliva holds the potential to enhance tissue regeneration and homeostasis.
Saliva contains exactly what we need for healing: antimicrobial agents, enzymes, antibodies, growth factors and even an analgesic! A protein called lysozyme can actually break down bacteria, and neutralize it, and some salivary proteins have even been found to neutralize the HIV virus (which is why people are much less likely to get the virus through oral sex). Among the antimicrobial agents saliva contains are antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory agents. (enzymes lysozyme, peroxidase, lactoferrin, defensins, cystatins and an antibody, IgA, thrombospondin).
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Healing Properties Of Saliva
As it is known, saliva is composed of 99% water, proteins, enzymes and some antimicrobial components produced by salivary glands. Primarily, it acts like a lubricant in the mouth to help digestion and speech, but aside from these, it is also beneficial in maintaining good dental health and has antimicrobial functions.
Our mouth is the entry into our body not only for food but for microorganisms also. The warm and moist surfaces of our oral cavity promote growth of various microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. Being a reservoir of so many microbes, the mouth is equipped with such substance as saliva that acts as our body’s first line of defense against pathogenic microorganisms through its antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and other protecting properties.
Salivary flow itself can mechanically remove microorganisms from the mouth, therefore insufficient production of saliva can contribute to formation of dental caries as well as oral yeast and viral infections. Salivary proteins, on the other hand, act in a more complex manner. For instance, salivary lysozyme is capable of bacterial cell wall disruption and neutralization of certain viruses. Iron, an essential mineral for bacterial growth, binds to lactoferrin found in the saliva thus preventing bacteria from multiplying. In addition, lactoferrin also has aggregating action with agglutinins which can bind and clump bacterial cells together for an efficient elimination from the mouth via mechanical action of saliva or swallowing. Mucin and immunoglobulins implement their antimicrobial actions by inhibiting adherence of bacteria into oral surfaces.
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Science behind human saliva
It is probably surprising for most people to learn that saliva has been used in diagnostics for more than 2000 years. Ancient doctors of traditional Chinese medicine have concluded that saliva and blood are “brothers” in the body and they come from the same origin. It is believed that changes in saliva are indicative of the wellness of the patient. The thickness and smell of saliva, as well as patients’ gustatory sensation of their own saliva are all used as symptoms of a certain disease state of the body.
Saliva is produced and secreted from salivary glands. The basic secretary units of salivary glands are clusters of cells called acini. These cells secrete a fluid that contains water, electrolytes, mucus, and enzymes, all of which flow out of the acinus into collecting ducts. Within the ducts, the composition of the secretion is altered. Much of the sodium is actively reabsorbed, potassium is secreted, and large quantities of bicarbonate ion are secreted. Small collecting ducts within salivary glands lead into larger ducts, eventually forming a single large duct that empties into the oral cavity.
Saliva serves many roles, some of which are important to all species and others to only a few:
- Lubrication and binding: The mucus in saliva[40] is extremely effective in binding masticated food into a slippery bolus that (usually) slides easily through the esophagus[41] without inflicting damage to the mucosa.
- Solubilization of dry food: In order to be tasted, the molecules in food must be solubilized.
- Oral hygiene: The oral cavity is almost constantly flushed with saliva, which floats away food debris and keeps the mouth relatively clean. The flow of saliva diminishes considerably during sleep, allow populations of bacteria to build up in the mouth – the result is dragon breath in the morning. Saliva also contains lysozyme, an enzyme that lyses many bacteria and prevents the overgrowth of oral microbial populations.
- Initiation of starch digestion: In most species, the serous and acinar cells secrete an alpha amylase which can begin to digest dietary starch into maltose.
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Saliva
Saliva is a watery substance located in the mouths of humans and animals, secreted by the salivary glands. Human saliva is 99.5% water, while the other 0.5% consists of electrolytes, mucus, white blood cells, epithelial cells (which can be used to extract DNA), glycoproteins, enzymes (such as amylase), antimicrobial agents such as secretory IgA and lysozyme.
The enzymes found in saliva are essential in beginning the process of digestion of dietary starches and fats. These enzymes also play a role in breaking down food particles entrapped within dental crevices, protecting teeth from bacterial decay. Furthermore, saliva serves a lubricative function, wetting food and permitting the initiation of swallowing, and protecting the mucosal surfaces of the oral cavity from desiccation.
Various species have special uses for saliva that go beyond predigestion. Some swifts use their gummy saliva to build nests. Aerodramus nests are prized for use in bird's nest soup.[4] Cobras, vipers, and certain other members of the venom clade hunt with venomous saliva injected by fangs. Some arthropods, such as spiders and caterpillars, create thread from salivary glands.
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Saliva and Your Mouth
Saliva is a clear liquid made by several glands in your mouth area.
Saliva is an important part of a healthy body. It is mostly made of water. But saliva also contains important substances that your body needs to digest food and keep your teeth strong.
Saliva is important because it:
- Keeps your mouth moist and comfortable
- Helps you chew, taste, and swallow
- Fights germs in your mouth and prevents bad breath
- Has proteins and minerals that protect tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay and gum disease
- Helps keep dentures securely in place
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Researchers have discovered a new life form in our saliva, and it's linked to human disease
Researchers in the US have discovered a brand new life form hiding inside our saliva – a type of parasitic bacteria called Bdellovibrio.
The bacterium only has 700 genes and is the first strain ever discovered that's completely dependent on other bacterium for survival. If that wasn't creepy enough, this new life form has also been linked to a whole range of human diseases, including gum disease, cystic fibrosis, and antimicrobial resistance.
The new parasite was discovered after scientists from the University of Washington School of Dentistry discovered a mysterious fragment of RNA in human saliva tests that didn't match any known organisms.
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Saliva
Saliva is the watery and usually somewhat frothy substance produced in the mouths of some animals, including humans.
Produced in salivary glands, saliva is 98% water, but it contains many important substances, including electrolytes, mucus, antibacterial compounds and various enzymes. 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.
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What is Spit?
Pull a lollipop out of your mouth and you'll see it. Wake up after drooling on your pillow and you'll feel it. That's right, it's spit, also known as saliva. Saliva is a clear liquid that's made in your mouth 24 hours a day, every day. It's made up mostly of water, with a few other chemicals. The slippery stuff is produced by the salivary glands. These glands are found on the inside of each cheek, on the bottom of the mouth, and under the jaw at the very front of the mouth. They secrete, or ooze, about 2 to 4 pints (or about 1 to 2 liters) of spit into your mouth every day!
Spit is super for lots of reasons. Saliva wets food and makes it easier to swallow. Without saliva, a grilled cheese sandwich would be dry and difficult to gulp down. It also helps the tongue by allowing you to taste. A dry tongue can't tell how things taste — it needs saliva to keep it wet. Spit helps begin the process of digestion, too. Before food hits your stomach, saliva starts to break it down while the food's still in your mouth. It does this with the help of enzymes, special chemicals found in the saliva. The combination of chewing food and coating it with saliva makes the tongue's job a bit easier - it can push wet, chewed food toward the throat more easily.
Saliva also cleans the inside of your mouth and rinses your teeth to help keep them clean. (But remember that spit isn't enough to keep teeth in tip-top shape; you still need to brush and floss!) The enzymes in saliva also help to fight off infections in the mouth. Most school-age kids have just the right amount of saliva. Sometimes a person may not have enough saliva, but this is usually the result of certain medicines or treatments, some kinds of diseases, or old age.
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Beautician spits on customer's face
Nothing rejuvenates your face better than a massage with a nice dollop of warm saliva.
No clear information on where it happened, although the video was originally posted on a Singaporean Facebook page.
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The disgusting video that will make you think twice about getting a facial: Beautician SPITS on a customer's face and smears it in as he lies blissfully unaware
Revolting vision of a salon worker spitting into her customer’s face will make you think twice about where you go for beauty treatments.
The beautician can be seen repeatedly spitting onto the unassuming man's forehead and smearing it into his skin.
Believed to be filmed in Singapore, the video shows the worker pausing to give the camera a thumbs.
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Not the sort of facial you ever want, salon worker uses SPIT on man’s face
WHAT is she doing? A beauty therapist has been caught spitting on an
unsuspecting customer’s face.
A shocking video, which has been widely shared on Facebook, shows a salon
worker dribbling on the man’s forehead then rubbing the saliva into his
cheeks and chin.
It’s not entirely clear why she does that, but it seems as if the customer,
whose eyes are closed, has no idea what is going on.
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Beauty therapist caught on camera spitting in customer's face during facial treatment
Sick: The therapist spits on a customer's face during treatment
The worker smirks and gives the camera a thumbs up before returning to the client who is on a massage table with her eyes closed
This is the disgusting moment a beautician SPITS in the face of an unsuspecting customer.
The worker smirks and gives the camera a thumbs up before returning to the client who is on a massage table with her eyes closed.
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Why the oldies peel the skin off a Pau
I can kind of imagine how the dim sum masters of yore were like- they had really bad teeth and breath.
I was once told how these folks used to spit-spray a cup of light sulphur water, with their mouths, onto a tray of just made paus just so it comes out clean and white after steaming.”.
I suspect their mouths would rot and the teeth enamel will thin off. The thought felt preposterous but Mr Billy Whey confirmed it, adding “which is why many older folks peel the “skin” of a pau before they eat it”. He comments come eminently qualified - he is the second generation owner of Teck Kee Tanglin Pau chain of dim sum shops.
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Love durians? Watch the disgusting way this Malaysian seller wraps your favourite fruit
Durian season is here again and Singaporeans will be flocking to durian stalls everywhere to get their fix for the king of fruits.
Not to burst your bubble but after watching this video, you may not be rushing to get some of that sweet yellow flesh.
Stomper Thomas shared with Stomp a video of a durian seller packaging durians that will make your stomach turn.
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Durian seller 'spits' on fruits while packing
Malaysian police said they will be contacting a man who allegedly "spat" into packets of durian he was wrapping. They want to get his statement on the matter.
On Wed (May 18) night, a 2-minute video of a man apparently spitting into packets of durian he was wrapping went viral on social media.
It was shared on WhatsApp and Facebook, drawing the ire and disgust of netizens, reported The Star.
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'Spit and wrap' durian stall mysteriously disappears overnight
Less than two days after a video showing a durian seller 'spitting' on each packet of the fruit went viral online, the stall located near a Petron station in Taman Sri Gombak has mysteriously 'disappeared'.
Malay daily Sinar Harian reported that the Zone 4 Residents Committee (JKP) in Selayang advised the four Indonesians running the stall to shut it down as they were operating without a proper permit.
According to Amir Fazlee Khalid, the durian sellers initially ignored their warnings, but after the video drew the ire of Netizens, they had decided to shut the stall down for good.
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