what is the role of saliva in the digestion of food

Saliva plays an essential role in the digestion of food. It moistens the mouth and helps compact food into softened particles for easier swallowing. Saliva contains a digestive enzyme called salivary amylase, which breaks down starch into sugar. The teeth and tongue work as a food processor, using saliva as the liquid necessary to create a mixture suitable for the stomach. Chewing food thoroughly gives the enzymes in saliva time to begin the process of breaking down a very important part of digestion. Saliva is also loaded with useful elements like electrolytes, enzymes, mucus, various antibacterial compounds, as well as beneficial bacteria. Saliva has many functions in the digestion process, including mastication, bolus formation, enzymatic digestion, and swallowing