Ilaria Rosella Pagliaro American researchers have developed an antiviral chewing gum that dramatically reduces the presence of flu and herpes viruses in saliva, offering a new daily defense against the most common respiratory and oral infections.
A team of American scientists has developed a new chewing gum capable of neutralizing up to 95% of flu and herpes viruses, acting directly in the mouth. It’s a groundbreaking discovery that could reshape daily virus prevention strategies.
This breakthrough stems from a collaboration between the University of Illinois at Chicago and biotech company Micron Biomedical. The researchers created a gum that tastes like traditional chewing gum but contains a natural protein that can inactivate viruses like influenza and herpes simplex.
The protein binds to the virus and prevents it from infecting cells
The protein, known as cyanovirin, attaches to the surface of viruses and blocks them from infecting new cells. In lab tests, scientists observed that after just five minutes of chewing, the amount of virus in saliva dropped by up to 95%.
While cyanovirin has been known for its antiviral properties, it had previously been tested mainly in clinical settings or as topical treatments. Incorporating it into a piece of chewing gum was a deliberate choice to create a simple, affordable, and practical solution for reducing viral spread among the general population.
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A potential revolution in everyday virus prevention
The gum’s main strength lies in its delivery method: chewing it allows the antiviral protein to spread directly through the saliva—one of the primary means of virus transmission. This means the gum can act as a preventive barrier, lowering the viral load even in people without symptoms.
Currently, the product is undergoing clinical trials, but early results are extremely promising. Researchers are hopeful that regulatory approval for commercial use will come soon, making this gum available to the public to combat common viruses like flu, colds, and herpes.
“It’s not a vaccine replacement, but it could be a powerful complementary tool”
According to the research team, chewing the gum regularly could be a valuable tool to curb seasonal infections—especially in crowded environments like schools, public transit, or offices. It’s not meant to replace vaccines, but rather to act as a complementary measure to reduce transmission.
Source: University of Pennsylvania
