Why Are Tears Salty?

Question

I am an emotional bloke and virtually everyday I shed a few tears.

Anyhow

Have always thought…

Why are tears salty? Is it because the salt in your tears acts as a cleaning agent to your eyes?

Thanks

Answer 1

I suppose tears are not originally salty and they just pick up the salt from the dried sweat on your face.

But I can't say for sure.

Answer 2

Mine taste sweet

Answer 3

Basically, tears are salty because people are salty!  That might sound like a silly answer, but it is the true answer.  All cells in the body have a certain amount of salt in them (called osmolarity).  The liquids surrounding the cell have the same amount of salt (called isotonic).  If the liquid had more salt, water would rush out of the cells the cell would shrivel up.  If the liquid had less salt, like pure water, the water would rush into the cell and the cell would pop.  So you see, it is imporant that body fluids have just the right amount of salt, including tears!  

Answer 4

good question actually

Answer 5

Basically just cause your body has salt in it too, blood and sweat are also salty, and as such this goes into health not optical (ut you didnt know).   Salt cannot clean your eyes..   if salt is in your eyes you could go blind do to scratching!