Tag: Oral mucosa

While most nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine, a selection of vitamins, minerals, and other compounds can be absorbed directly through the highly vascularized oral mucosa. This direct and efficient process, known as sublingual or buccal absorption, allows certain nutrients to enter the bloodstream much faster than through standard digestion.

The human body is 50-85% water, depending on age, and needs constant hydration. While water is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream after being swallowed, a common question is whether the mouth itself can directly absorb water without swallowing.

While alcohol is not digested like food, it is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. So, do you absorb alcohol through your tongue? A small amount of absorption begins the moment alcohol touches your mouth, but it's a minor contribution compared to the digestive tract.

While traditional edibles must travel through the digestive system and liver before taking effect, it's a little-known fact that certain types of edibles can, in fact, be absorbed directly through the mouth's lining. This faster absorption route, known as sublingual or buccal delivery, offers a different experience with a quicker onset and distinct effects compared to standard ingestion.

While the small intestine is the primary site for nutrient absorption from food, a lesser-known fact is that select substances are absorbed in the mouth. Specifically, some nutrients are absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the oral mucosa, bypassing the digestive system and liver. This unique delivery method is the key to understanding what nutrients are absorbed in the mouth.

According to a study published in *Frontiers in Nutrition* in 2025, lower vitamin B12 levels are significantly associated with a greater cumulative burden of dental disease in older adults. This vital nutrient, while commonly known for its role in nerve function and blood cell formation, also plays a crucial, yet often overlooked, part in maintaining dental health.

While the body can absorb some compounds through the oral mucosa, the belief that drinking water is primarily absorbed directly through the mouth is a misconception. Instead, the vast majority of water absorption occurs much further along in the digestive tract, primarily in the small and large intestines. This process is largely driven by osmosis and complex physiological mechanisms, not simple direct absorption in the mouth.

While digestion begins the moment food enters your mouth, with saliva containing enzymes that initiate the breakdown of certain nutrients, actual nutrient absorption in the mouth is very minimal. The vast majority of nutrient uptake into the bloodstream occurs later in the small intestine.

Over 1.6 billion cells are shed and replaced by the body every day, leading many to wonder about the energy content of this constant turnover. So, does the skin inside your mouth have calories, and can your body actually absorb them?

Atrophic glossitis, the condition of having a smooth tongue, affects a significant percentage of people with nutritional deficiencies, with studies finding vitamin B12, iron, and other vitamin deficiencies to be primary causes. It is important to know what deficiency causes atrophy of papillae of tongue as it can be an early indicator of systemic health issues.