2 minutes read2 minutes readThe world encounters countless new infectious diseases every year, like COVID 19, bird flu, Ebola, and Zika. What’s just as impressive as the sheer number of new infections are the cures scientists create to prevent them.
Scientists have created a form of chewing gum that could prevent the spread of oral infections responsible for causing conditions like Herpes and the flu. But how does it work? Keep reading to find out more.
How does this gum work?
The idea that a piece of gum could prevent you from getting sick might seem strange, but there’s some serious science behind this latest breakthrough.
Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine have created an antiviral gum made of lablab beans, otherwise known as hyacinth beans. These beans contain a unique protein called FRIL that’s been shown to greatly reduce virus count in the mouth.
This new product was tested in a study published in Molecular Therapy, where scientists incorporated FRIL proteins into a gum tablet and tested it against two strains of Herpes (HSV1 and HSV 2) and two strains of influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2). FRIL proteins bind to complex sugars on the surface of the viral envelope, which traps the viron and prevents it from infecting others.
The experiment found that the FRIL contained in the gum tablet neutralised 95% of the HSV 1 and HSV 2 viruses, as well as both flu viruses.
FRIL proteins have also been used to prevent COVID 19 and swine flu (H1N1) in mice in other studies.
What are the benefits?
While vaccination remains the best form of defence against many infections, vaccines may not be available in low-income countries with limited healthcare infrastructure. In addition, there are many viral infections against which vaccines are yet to be developed, making alternative therapies attractive.
In developed countries, multiple-dose vaccines programs suffer when individuals miss doses, thereby limiting the effectiveness of the program. Furthermore, vaccine scepticism can further complicate the picture and contributes to a decline in vaccination rates.
This antiviral gum may help overcome some of these challenges. It could be produced in many African and Asian countries where lablab beans are already widely available. People may also be more willing to use a plant-based gum to prevent infections rather than taking vaccine injections, making adoption more likely by larger numbers of people.
So we eagerly await the trials in humans to see if these findings translate into reduced cases of herpes and influenza.
Final thoughts
While an antiviral gum may be able to prevent some Herpes infections, it can’t tell you whether you have it. Herpes remains one of the most common STIs in the world, causing a large amount of discomfort in anyone who gets it.
If you think you’ve been exposed to Herpes, or have the symptoms of an infection, you should get tested as soon as possible. Book an appointment at a sexual health clinic near you by clicking the button below.
This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Steve Chapman, 04/08/2025.
