Everyone cries sometimes. When tears flow down your cheeks and into your mouth, you will feel salty. Do you know why human tears are salty? Where does the salty taste of tears come from? Are all tears salty? For these questions, we have found relatively detailed answers for you.

Why are people's tears salty?

First of all, we need to know how the tears come from.

Scientists found through microanalysis that in human tears, 99% is water, only 1% is solid, and more than half of this solid is salt. Where did this salt come from?

There is a small finger-sized gland called lacrimal gland above our eyeball. The lacrimal gland is made of blood, which can be processed to make tears. We know that there is salt in human blood, body fluid and tissue fluid, so it is not surprising that there is salt in tears made of blood. Salt accounts for 0.9% in blood and 0.6% in tears. This is why people's tears are salty.

The role of tears

In addition to venting and expressing emotions, tears also have a very important function, that is, "defense." When foreign objects such as dust fall into our eyes, a lot of tears will be produced to wash them out. In addition, there are enzymes that can dissolve bacteria in tears, which can sterilize and slightly disinfect the eyes.

Do all tears taste the same?

But do all tears taste the same? Of course not. In addition to the lacrimal gland, there are dozens of other glands involved in the formation of tears, so the composition of tears is quite complicated. When we cry because of joy and sadness, it touches the parasympathetic nerves that relax our body and mind, and the taste of tears is very light. When you cry because of regret and anger, it stimulates the sympathetic nerve that makes you nervous physically and mentally, so tears are salty. This is why after crying, we will feel happy and comfortable.