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Salivary Amylase: Digestion and Metabolic Syndrome

  • Obesity (J McCaffery, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Salivary amylase is a glucose-polymer cleavage enzyme that is produced by the salivary glands. It comprises a small portion of the total amylase excreted, which is mostly made by the pancreas. Amylases digest starch into smaller molecules, ultimately yielding maltose, which in turn is cleaved into two glucose molecules by maltase. Starch comprises a significant portion of the typical human diet for most nationalities. Given that salivary amylase is such a small portion of total amylase, it is unclear why it exists and whether it conveys an evolutionary advantage when ingesting starch. This review will consider the impact of salivary amylase on oral perception, nutrient signaling, anticipatory metabolic reflexes, blood sugar, and its clinical implications for preventing metabolic syndrome and obesity.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful for useful early discussions with Louise Slade.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Catherine Peyrot des Gachons & Paul A. S. Breslin

  2. Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA

    Paul A. S. Breslin

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  1. Catherine Peyrot des Gachons
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Correspondence to Paul A. S. Breslin.

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Catherine Peyrot des Gachons and Paul A.S. Breslin declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Peyrot des Gachons, C., Breslin, P.A.S. Salivary Amylase: Digestion and Metabolic Syndrome. Curr Diab Rep 16, 102 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-016-0794-7

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