Liquid Vitamin Facts: Amylase
Learn more about the enzyme amylase.
Yesterday, I briefly spoke of enzymes. Enzymes are very important for the body. However, one essential enzyme is actually secreted by the salivary glands in the mouth. What? Lets speak more about this.
Amylase is an enzyme that is secreted in the mouth in response to carbohydrates. This is where digestion begins. The purpose of the teeth is to increase the surface area of the food exposed to digestive juices (by chewing and biting). Then amylase begins to hydrolyze the carbohydrates. In fact, the next time you eat a cracker or bread (since these are carbohydrates), the food will begin to form a gooey ball. This is the beginning of carbohydrate digestion.
Kristy Haugen
