Question

How is saliva helpful in digestion of food ?

Answer 1

Saliva contains special enzymes that help digest the starches in your food. An enzyme called amylase breaks down starches (complex carbohydrates) into sugars, which your body can more easily absorb. Saliva also contains an enzyme called lingual lipase, which breaks down fats.

Answer 2

Saliva contains the enzyme amylase that splits several starches down into maltose and dextrin. About 30% of starch digestion takes place within the mouth cavity. Thus, the digestion of food starts within the mouth, before the food reaches the stomach. Saliva doesn't digest the proteins, fats, and fibers