At what temperature does saliva work the fastest?

Answer 1

The enzymes in the saliva works fastest at optimum temperature (Body temperature) around 37 degrees Celsius.

Actually, that's not completely accurate. The higher the temperature, the faster the rate of any chemical reaction, and that's also true of the enzymes in the human body. Our body temperature is regulated right around 37 degrees centigrade (98.6 F), but your body temp can increase, and it does during hard exercise or when you're feverish. At those higher temperatures the enzymes will work more rapidly than they do at 37 degrees.

Now, why should that be the case? Why not operate always at optimum temperature?

Because as temperature increases, we eventually arrive at a point at which the enzymes begin to denature and stop working. When that happens, the individual dies, which is not a good thing. That's why your body's normal operating temperature is not the optimum temperature for your enzymes. If your body temperature was regulated at optimum temperature under relaxed conditions, when you began to exercise or when you got a fever, your enzymes would denature and you'd die. Regulating your body's temperature at a point 4 or 5 degrees below optimum represents an important safety factor.

Answer 2

Saliva works best at a temperature close to normal body temperature, which is around 98.6°F or 37°C. At this temperature, enzymes in saliva function optimally to break down food particles efficiently.