Saliva Test Could Help Determine When A Person Is Going To Die, According To Study | HuffPost Life

This Simple Test Could Predict When You're Going To Die

Natasha Hinde— The Huffington Post UK

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A simple spit test could help predict when you're going to die, a new study on life expectancy suggests.

Researchers from the University of Birmingham studied 639 adults over a period of 19 years.

They discovered that there's an antibody in human saliva called immunoglobin A (IgA), which decreases more the closer a person gets to death.

Scientists believe the specific antibody could also be used as an efficient way to measure general health.

"There are a number of factors that can affect how well we produce antibodies and maintain their levels," Dr Anna Phillips from the University of Birmingham told the Mail Online.

"There are some that we have no control over, such as age, heritability or illness, but our general state of health can also affect their levels; stress, diet, exercise, alcohol and smoking can all influence those levels."

She added that they are unsure how saliva samples could be used in general health check-ups, as they need to "better understand what secretion rate would be considered cause for concern".

"We could certainly say that, if found to be extremely low, it would be a useful early indicator of risk," she explained.

The research was published in the journal PLOS One.

It's not the first study to use saliva tests as a way of predicting health. Other studies suggest spit tests could be used to predict the likelihood of a person developing Alzheimer's disease as well as certain cancers.

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16 Foods Good For Longevity

Asparagus(01 of17)

Asparagus is anti-inflammatory and provides digestive support, according to "The Longevity Kitchen," a book that explains the life-extending benefits of healthy foods. (credit:Alamy)

Avocado(02 of17)

In addition to helping lower levels of bad cholesterol, avocados destroy cancerous and precancerous cells, according to "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Alamy)

Basil(03 of17)

This anti-inflammatory herb has been shown to "slow the growth of disease-causing bacteria" and protect liver cells, according to "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Alamy)

Blueberries(04 of17)

This superfruit is anti-inflammatory and helps improves brain and heart health, wrote Rebecca Katz and Mat Edelson in "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Shutterstock)

Coffee(05 of17)

Drinking more than two cups a day of coffee may help you live longer by offering protection against respiratory problems and heart disease. (credit:Alamy)

Dark Chocolate(06 of17)

This treat can reduce your blood pressure and improve your heart health. Not surprisingly, studies also show dark chocolate to be a mood enhancer, according to "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Alamy)

Garlic(07 of17)

Garlic may not be good for your breath, but it does help prevent damage to blood vessels, wrote the authors of "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Alamy)

Green Tea(08 of17)

According to "The Longevity Kitchen,"green tea has several major health benefits. The antioxidant found in green tea is useful in treating breast, lung and prostate cancer. Green tea also prevents bad cholesterol from forming and can help you lose weight by suppressing your appetite. (credit:Alamy)

Kale(09 of17)

"[Kale] goes way off the charts with certain nutrients, providing more than ten times the recommended daily intake of vitamin K, a key regulator of inflammation, and three times the recommended daily intake of vitamin A, which is vital to eye health and maintaining moisture in the skin and mucous membranes," according to "The Longevity Kitchen." Kale can also reduce your cholesterol, and is associated with reduced risk of ovarian, breast and colon cancer. (credit:Shutterstock)

Olive Oil(10 of17)

Olive oil has several major health benefits: it helps protect the heart, reduces the risk of respiratory, colon, upper GI track and breast cancer, and helps prevent stroke, according to "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Alamy)

Pomegranate(11 of17)

In addition to being anti-inflammatory, pomegranate is good for your cardiovascular health and helps lower blood pressure, wrote the authors of "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Getty Images)

Sweet Potato(12 of17)

As stated in "The Longevity Kitchen," this tasty tuber helps regulate blood pressure, provides support for your immune system and contains nutrients that help reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. (credit:Alamy)

Thyme(13 of17)

This fragrant spice helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, and also helps neutralize common pathogens such as E. Coli, according to "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Alamy)

Walnuts(14 of17)

"Wanuts offer tremendous heart health benefits," the book's authors write. "They reduce inflammation, bad cholesterol (LDL), and risk of blood clots and can help prevent bone loss." (credit:Alamy)

Wild Salmon(15 of17)

Salmon contins more healthful omega-3 fatty acids than any other fish. Omega-3 fatty acids decrease inflammation throughout the body and may reduce the risk of macular degeneration, which causes blindness. (credit:Alamy)

Yogurt(16 of17)

As stated in "The Longevity Kitchen," yogurt helps maintain and restore healthy bacteria in our body and fights against conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea and Crohn's disease. (credit:Alamy)

'The Longevity Kitchen'(17 of17)

"The Longevity Kitchen" contains recipes designed to improve the length and quality of your life, as well as tips for living a healthier life.

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