saliva

German
Persian
Russian
Spanish

Saliva is the liquid that your mouth produces when you're hungry or eating. It helps break down food into smaller bits so your body can digest it.

When we think of saliva, most people probably think about how much they drool when they see their favorite food, like pizza or ice cream! But saliva actually plays an important role in our daily lives. When you eat, saliva mixes with the food to help break down its carbohydrates and fats. This process is called digestion, and it helps your body absorb all the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Some people even produce more saliva than others when they're eating certain types of food, like citrus fruits or spicy dishes – this is why you might notice a change in the way your mouth feels after eating something tangy!

How common is "saliva"?

Word saliva is considered rare in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions

noun

  • (physiology) A clear, slightly alkaline liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands and mucous glands, consisting of water, mucin, protein, and enzymes. It moistens the mouth, lubricates ingested food, and begins the breakdown of starches.