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50 Shades of Saliva
- An adult human being can produce up to 1.5L of saliva per day
- Saliva is produced by 3 big glands (parotids, submandibulars and sublinguals) and several hundreds of smaller glands
- The submandibular glands produce biggest amount of saliva
- Saliva consists of approximately 99% water containing a variety of electrolytes and proteins, such as enzymes, immunoglobulins and glycoproteins
- Saliva production decreases during the night to a minimum
- Patients with Sjogren’s syndrome suffer from severe xerostomia, the medical term for dry mouth
- Over 500 of prescription medication can reduce salivary flow
- An average human produces enough saliva over their lifetime to fill up 2 swimming pools
- Saliva production increases after consumption of spicy, sour or acidic foods
- There are more than 250 different species of bacteria in the mouth
- Saliva flow rate can be increased using a chewing gum, citrus fruits and even marshmallows
- Parasympathetic stimulation results in watery thin saliva whereas sympathetic stimulation leads to viscous saliva which is high in protein
- Liquorice and grapefruit juice can interact with and increase cortisol availability
- Excessive drooling can be a sign for teething in babies
- Sport scientists around the world are monitoring salivary analytes to monitor and improve human performance
- Cortisol is also known as compound F
- You produce more saliva just before vomiting as part of a bodily reflex
- The oral compartment is one of the most diverse biological microenvironments in the body
- Saliva contains the natural analgesic opiorphin, which is 6 times more potent than morphine
- Glycoproteins in the pellicle inhibit bacterial adhesion to the tooth surface and reduce the erosive potential of coke by up to 50%
- You cannot taste food unless it is mixed with saliva
- There are approximately 3000 published papers on salivary cortisol
- Sodium Bicarbonate in saliva helps to neutralize tooth enamel damaging acids in foods and drinks
- It is a myth that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s mouth.
- The bite of a leech does not hurt because its saliva numbs the area
- Spittoons are frequently used by wine tasters
- Salimetrics was founded in 1998 because the immunodiagnostic industry did not realize the potential of saliva as a research and diagnostic specimen
- Saliva contains molecules that aid in wound healing; a possible reason why animals lick their wounds
- Saliva reduces tooth decay and infection by washing away food particles and bacteria
- Human saliva contains antibacterial agents such as secretory IgA, Lactoferrin, lysozyme and peroxidase
- Injuries in your mouth heal much faster than in other areas of your body
- Increased levels of salivary C-reactive protein might indicate a risk of heart disease
- The aerodramus nests, built from spit, are prized for use in bird’s nest soup, one of the most expensive dishes in the Chinese cuisine
- Swallowing saliva stimulates gastric secretion
- Public education campaigns in China aimed to reduce public spitting ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing
- DNA extracted from saliva is often used in criminal investigations
- Salivary cotinine measurements might be conducted by health and life insurance companies in order to determine tobacco use
- Public spitting can result in fines and even jail time in many countries
- Salivary estradiol measurements can be used to replace daily blood tests in infertility treatment
- Contrary to rumours, llamas rarely spit at humans
- In the last few years more than 150 peer reviewed articles have been published exploring salivary alpha amylase
- Studies have collected saliva from dogs, horses, wolves, antelopes, gorillas, rats, sea lions…
- According to anthropologists, men’s preference for sloppier kisses is due to the subconscious transfer of salivary testosterone to women
- The soul singer Lisa Stansfield was allergic to her own saliva
- One millilitre of saliva contains approximately 100 000 000 bacteria
- According to Masai mythology, a Masai spits slightly several times on a baby that he has never seen before
- Hedgehogs produce large amountsof foamy saliva when they encounter an unfamiliar smell
- Salivary cortisol measurements are used to monitor metabolic disorders such as Addison’s Disease and Cushing’s syndrome
- Saliva can be used to test for use of illicit drugs, such as THC, cocaine and amphetamines
- Salivary flow is lower when we are sitting than when standing
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