Table of contents:
- Saliva is more concentrated than plain water
- Swallowing saliva actually makes you even more thirsty
- The surprising benefits of saliva
- 1. Helping the digestive process
- 2. Maintain healthy teeth and mouth
- 3. Prevent dry mouth
When we are thirsty and there is no water source nearby, sometimes we are forced to swallow our own saliva so that the throat does not dry out. In fact, no matter how much you swallow, it can actually make you even more thirsty. How come?
Saliva is more concentrated than plain water
Saliva, saliva, drool, or saliva are clear fluids made by the salivary glands.
However, it turns out that saliva is more concentrated and thicker than ordinary liquids because it contains various different components with high concentrations. In saliva contains various components such as mucus, minerals, protein, and an enzyme called amylase.
However, it is important to know that saliva is not the thickest natural body fluid. There was still blood and pus which was much thicker than saliva.
Swallowing saliva actually makes you even more thirsty
Dr. Len Horovits, a specialist in internal medicine at Lenox Hospital in New York City explained in Live Science that as much as swallowing your own saliva will make you even more thirsty. How come?
It turns out that this is because the fluids in our bodies work on the principle of osmosis. In short, osmosis allows thinner liquids to be absorbed by thicker liquids.
As explained above, saliva has a higher concentration while fluids in our body are the opposite. This means that the more you try to swallow your own saliva, the thinner the body fluids will be absorbed by the saliva.
Instead of drenching the cells in your body that need it, it actually makes you even more thirsty. Well, it's a different story if you drink water.
The concentration of water, which is much thinner than the body's natural fluids, will be more easily absorbed by the cells in the body that need it. As a result, your body will be hydrated faster and will no longer feel thirsty.
The surprising benefits of saliva
Swallowing saliva may not quench your thirst. Even so, saliva still has an important role in supporting bodily functions, you know!
Here are some important benefits of saliva for the body that are important for you to know.
1. Helping the digestive process
With saliva, the process of chewing and swallowing food is easier. Not only that, saliva can also help facilitate the digestive process.
This is because the enzymes in saliva can help break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins, making them easier to digest.
2. Maintain healthy teeth and mouth
Try to feel your teeth or gums using your tongue or hands. Surely you feel there is a thin layer covering it, right? Well, this layer is saliva.
In fact, saliva does more than just moisturize the oral cavity. The reason is, saliva is also responsible for coating each tooth surface and helping to shed food debris stuck to or stuck between the teeth.
Apart from that, saliva also has antimicrobial agents that can kill bacteria present in the oral cavity. The enzymes present in saliva can also help fight infections in the mouth.
3. Prevent dry mouth
The last function of saliva is to prevent dry mouth. In medical terms, this condition is called xerostomia.
If you produce a little saliva, you are more likely to experience various health problems, ranging from gum disease and tooth decay. You will also be more susceptible to infections from bacteria, yeast, and fungi. In fact, this condition can also cause difficulty swallowing and digesting food.
