Researchers at Penn Dental Medicine and collaborators have used a clinical-grade antiviral chewing gum to substantially reduce viral loads of two herpes simplex viruses and two influenza A strains in experimental models.
I know that’s what the study supposedly says, but it makes no sense. Natural chewing gum is plant-based. Where is the plastic coming from if the product isn’t made from plastic?
plastic-free chewing gums do exist.
Both natural and synthetic chewing gum shed plastics as you chew: https://www.acs.org/pressroom/presspacs/2025/march/chewing-gum-can-shed-microplastics-into-saliva-pilot-study-finds.html
The article does not mention a sample size.
The article states that this is the first study of its kind.
There needs to be more research done before this is shared as absolute fact.
They actually do: it’s 5/5 natural/artificial gum brands, 7 pieces each, and chewed by one person.
Agreed with the rest though
I read it twice trying to find the sample size. I missed it both times. I should slow down on my reading.
Thanks for the update.
I know that’s what the study supposedly says, but it makes no sense. Natural chewing gum is plant-based. Where is the plastic coming from if the product isn’t made from plastic?
The plastic in toothbrushes makes a lot more sense to me but what do I know… I just heard from another lemly user
Easy, teeth mash the plants into plastic 👍 makes sense if you squint real hard and have a few TBIs
Weren’t microplastics found in plants already? Take that naturalists!