Of gustatory-stimulated human whole, parotid, submandibular and sublingual saliva only parotid saliva, a serous rather than mucous secretion, presented a relatively well-resolved proton NMR spectrum with satisfactory signal-to-noise ratio in a short time (30 min). The proton signal intensities showed significant circadian rhythms related to the circadian rhythms of protein concentrations in saliva. Age- and sex-associated differences in spectra were not observed for healthy saliva. On the other hand, marked differences in the spectra were observed for patients with suspected sialoadenitis.