Saliva helps in digestion of _______.

The correct answer is Starch.

Key Points

• Saliva is a watery and usually somewhat frothy substance produced in the mouths of some animals, including humans.
• Produced in salivary glands, saliva is 98% water, but it contains many important substances, including electrolytes, mucus, antibacterial compounds, and various enzymes.
• The digestive functions of saliva include moistening food and helping to create a food bolus, so it can be swallowed easily.
• Saliva contains the enzyme amylase that breaks some starches down into maltose and dextrin.
• Thus, digestion of food occurs within the mouth, even before the food reaches the stomach.
• Saliva does not digest the proteins. fats and fibres.

Hint