The new gum could reduce Covid-19 transmission when infected individuals talk, breathe, or cough. They said it tastes like regular gum.

Scientists believe a new experimental chewing gum could help guard against Covid-19.

The gum, which is now being studied in the United States, contains a protein that “traps” coronavirus particles, potentially reducing the amount of virus in saliva.

It could prevent transmission when sick people talk, breathe, or cough, according to researchers.

Chewing gum carries copies of the ACE2 protein found on cell surfaces, which the virus utilizes to enter and infect cells.

In test-tube trials using saliva and swab samples from infected people, virus particles attached themselves to the ACE2 “receptors” in the chewing gum, scientists said.

The viral load in the samples was reduced by more than 95% as a result, according to a study published in Molecular Therapy by a research team from the University of Pennsylvania.

The gum tastes like regular chewing gum and can be preserved for years at room temperature, according to the researchers.

Chewing it does not harm the ACE2 protein molecules, according to the researchers.

Researchers believe that using gum to lower viral loads in saliva could improve the effectiveness of immunizations, especially in regions where vaccines are not yet available or affordable.

While the gum isn’t now available for use, it could be a hopeful start in the right direction in the future.

Image Credit: iStock

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