A review of salivary composition changes induced by fasting and its impact on health

• Published in: Food Science and Human Wellness Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 50 - 64
• Main Authors: Aripin, Nurul Fadhilah Kamalul, Idayu Zahid, N., Rahim, Mohd Aizat Abdul, Yaacob, Hashim, Haris, Parvez I., Rahim, Zubaidah Haji Abd, Hashim, Rauzah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.2024; Chancellery(Research and Innovation),Universiti Malaya,Kuala Lumpur 50603,Malaysia; School of Chemical Engineering,College of Engineering,Universiti Teknologi MARA,Shah Alam 40450,Malaysia; Centre for Fundamental and Frontier Sciences in Nanostructure Self-Assembly,Department of Chemistry,Faculty of Science,Universiti Malaya,Kuala Lumpur 50603,Malaysia%Centre for Fundamental and Frontier Sciences in Nanostructure Self-Assembly,Department of Chemistry,Faculty of Science,Universiti Malaya,Kuala Lumpur 50603,Malaysia%Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences,Faculty of Dentistry,Universiti Malaya,Kuala Lumpur 50603,Malaysia%UMSC Dental Specialist Clinic,UM Dentistry Tower,Universiti Malaya,Medical Centre,Kuala Lumpur 50603,Malaysia%Leicester School of Allied Health Sciences,De Montfort University,Leicester LE1 9BH,United Kingdom%Chancellery(Research and Innovation),Universiti Malaya,Kuala Lumpur 50603,Malaysia%Centre for Fundamental and Frontier Sciences in Nanostructure Self-Assembly,Department of Chemistry,Faculty of Science,Universiti Malaya,Kuala Lumpur 50603,Malaysia; Tsinghua University Press
• Subjects: Fasting; Nitrate; Nitric Oxide; Nitrite; Ramadan; Saliva; Fasting; Nitrate; Nitrite; Nitric Oxide; Ramadan; Saliva; Nitric oxide
• ISSN: 2213-4530; 2097-0765; 2213-4530
• DOI: 10.26599/FSHW.2022.9250004

Human saliva is an indispensable fluid that maintains a healthy oral cavity which otherwise can lead to oral diseases (dental caries and periodontitis). In addition, salivary metabolites and microbiome profile provide early detection of systemic diseases such as cancer and obesity. Salivary diagnostic has gained popularity due to its non-invasive sampling technique. Fasting (abstinence from food or drink or both) research for weight loss and improve health is common, but studies using fasting saliva are scarce. Some metabolites in fasting saliva have been reported with interesting results, which can be enhanced by considering different confounding factors. For example, fasting saliva contains higher salivary nitrite, which is related to nitric oxide (NO). NO is a vasodilator supporting the healthy function of endothelial cells and its deficiency is connected to many diseases. The timely supply of NO through exogenous and endogenous means is highlighted and the potential advantage of fasting salivary composition changes in relation to COVID-19 infection is speculated. This review aims to provide a general discussion on the salivary composition, properties, and functions of the whole saliva, including the health benefits of fasting. •Saliva maintains a healthy oral cavity which otherwise predispose it to oral diseases.•Salivary metabolites have antimicrobial properties while microbiome profile provides early detection of systemic diseases.•Salivary diagnostic is non-invasive sampling technique and has gained popularity•A need to define systematic protocols for fasting saliva research and to include different confounding factors.•Fasting saliva contains higher nitrite, a source of nitric oxide, that maintain healthy endothelial cell and impede many diseases.