What are amylases?

Amylases are special helpers that break down big pieces of food into smaller ones so our bodies can use them better.

Imagine you're eating a big piece of bread, it's like a long, sticky string. Amylases are like little scissors that snip this string into tiny pieces, making it easier for your body to turn the bread into energy.

Amylases are found in different places, like your mouth and your stomach. In your mouth, when you chew bread, a type of amylase called saliva starts working right away. It turns the big bread molecules into smaller ones, almost like turning a big puzzle into smaller pieces that fit together easier.

Without amylases, our bodies would have a harder time using the food we eat, it's like trying to drink from a full glass without pouring some out first! Amylases help us get energy from carbohydrates, which are in foods like bread, rice, and potatoes.