eli5: Why does your mouth water when you see something delicious?

Question

It’s always something I have thought about. Is it lubricating our mouth?

In: Biology

Answer 1

There are neural circuits that involve your perception of food and your body preparing itself for the likely entry of that food into your mouth. At the end of the neural circuit are your salivary glands which produce saliva. Saliva lubricates swallowing and provides digestive enzymes like amylase that helps break down starches in your food.