Why is it that boogers and tears taste salty?
Why do tears taste salty? Salt is an important component of our bodies. One of the reasons for this is that the sodium ions released when salt is dissolved in water serve as essential carriers of electrochemical signals that allow us to function in an integral way. Without signaling a body cannot remain alive. Salt is found in our blood, in our cells, indeed in all parts that are wet. It is no surprise, therefore, that all secretions of water from our body are salty. This is true of perspiration, which performs an important role in maintenance of our body temperature and it is also true for tears from our eyes. Incidentally, our eyes do not water only when we are sad. A little secretion from our eyes is almost continuous. This is to keep our eyes clean. The fluid that wets our eyes, and sometimes comes out as copious tears also contains, besides salt, a chemical called Lysozyme, which destroys bacteria that might infect our eyes. Tears also come to other animals and birds. Like they do
