The human tongue is a bit of a wonder to many people. It is necessary to swallow and speak, it helps blow bubblegum, and it heals remarkably fast when you accidentally bite or burn it. But did you know that it also can give you a few red flags when your body isn’t operating at peak performance? If you notice any changes in your tongue, pay attention – it could be trying to tell you something!

According to a recent report in the United News of India, oral cancer rates among Indian citizens are expected to hit an astronomically high 30 percent by the year 2020. The paper cites a general lack of awareness of the disease as a reason for the high rates, which studies have linked to alcohol and tobacco use in India.