Saliva plays a crucial role in the digestive process by:
1. Moistening and lubricating food: Saliva helps to soften and moisten food, making it easier to chew and swallow.
2. Beginning the breakdown of carbohydrates: Salivary amylase is an enzyme in saliva that starts breaking down carbohydrates in food, turning them into simpler sugars.
3. Enhancing taste: Saliva contains taste receptors that help to detect and enhance the flavors of food.
4. Protecting teeth and gums: Saliva contains antibacterial properties that help to protect the teeth and gums from harmful bacteria and plaque buildup.
5. Facilitating digestion: Saliva helps to create a slippery pathway for food to travel down the esophagus and into the stomach, aiding in the digestion process.
Saliva function in digestive
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