Sour, crunchy, and chewy foods stimulate saliva production more than others. The act of chewing itself triggers increased saliva flow.
Foods that Stimulate Saliva Production
Several types of food are known to increase saliva production. These can be broadly categorized as:
Crunchy Foods:
- The extra chewing required for crunchy foods significantly increases saliva production. Examples include:
- Carrots
- Celery
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cucumber
- Apples
- Pears
Chewy Foods:
While not explicitly mentioned in the reference, chewy foods require prolonged chewing, similarly stimulating saliva glands. Examples include:
- Sugarless gum
- Certain fruits (e.g., figs, mangoes)
Other Stimulants:
- Sour foods: The acidic nature of some fruits and other foods can trigger a reflexive increase in saliva production. While the reference doesn't list specific examples, this is a well-known effect.
- Sugarless candy: Similar to chewing gum, this stimulates saliva production through the act of sucking and chewing.
The provided reference specifically highlights the increased saliva production resulting from the extra chewing required for crunchy vegetables and fruits, like carrots, celery, and apples. It also emphasizes the effect of chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless candy.
