zeogold: Did you know that without saliva, your stomach would digest itself?
bler144: Mmm...that's not quite right. Stimulated saliva does contain bicarbonate, but it's function is understood to be to neutralize acids in the mouth produced by bacteria (fighting tooth decay), rather than a primary source for offsetting the hydrochloric acid produced in the stomach lining.
Other cells in the stomach lining produce bicarbonate to help regulate stomach acidity, and also produce mucus as a physical barrier.
In any case, you actually do "digest" your stomach lining despite these buffers, it just constantly is regrowing. Provided the balance of elimination/regrowth stays in balance, you just never notice.
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