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Antiviral Chewing Gum Exists: and It’s Made of Beans

Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania have developed an antiviral chewing gum made from lablab beans that effectively reduces viral loads of influenza and herpes by over 95%. Featuring a natural protein called FRIL, this innovative gum targets viruses in the mouth, offering a non-invasive, affordable, and plant-based preventive measure.

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Sources and References

University of Pennsylvania. (2025, April 4). Penn Dental researchers develop antiviral chewing gum to reduce influenza and herpes simplex virus transmission. Penn Today. Retrieved from https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/penn-dental-antiviral-chewing-gum-reduce-influenza-and-herpes-simplex-virus-transmission

IFLScience. (2025, April 7). Antiviral Chewing Gum Made Of Beans Could Help Stop Spread Of Herpes And Flu. https://www.iflscience.com/antiviral-chewing-gum-made-of-beans-could-help-stop-spread-of-herpes-and-flu-78716

Daniell, H., Guo, Y., Kulchar, R., Singh, R., & Wakade, G. (2024). Debulking influenza and herpes simplex virus strains by a wide-spectrum anti-viral protein formulated in clinical grade chewing gum. Molecular Therapy. Retrieved from https://www.cell.com/molecular-therapy-family/molecular-therapy/fulltext/S1525-0016(24)00808-6

O.D. (2025, April 15). Science and Health: Antiviral Chewing Gum. Bursa. Retrieved from https://www.bursa.ro/science-and-health-antiviral-chewing-gum-60904553

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