The research traces these vital proteins back to their source, showing which proteins are produced by each of the three major types of human salivary glands, and showing how individual cells within a ...

Volunteers who produced more saliva tended to score the flavors as more intense, possibly because they swallowed more often and thus forced more aromas into their nasal passages, the scientists found.

Saliva contains proteins, electrolytes, hormones, peptides, free fatty acids, mucus, antibacterial compounds, RNA fragments and nucleic acids that come from throughout the body.