A stick of gum can be next secret weapon against pandemics

In a bizarre but brilliant twist, scientists have discovered that chewing gum made from beans—yes, actual beans—could help fight off some of the world’s most common and dangerous viruses.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine, working with Finnish collaborators, have developed a plant-based antiviral gum that slashes viral loads in the mouth by over 95%. The gum, made from lablab beans, contains a natural protein called FRIL, which traps and neutralizes viruses before they spread.

The team, led by Professor Henry Daniell, tested the gum on four major viruses: two herpes strains (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and two influenza A strains (H1N1 and H3N2). The results? One single chew of gum containing just 40 milligrams of bean protein dropped the amount of virus in the mouth to almost nothing.

Let that sink in: a stick of gum might be the next secret weapon against outbreaks.

The research, recently published in Molecular Therapy, builds on earlier trials that showed similar effects against COVID-19, suggesting this gum might be a game-changer in pandemic prevention. And, yes, it meets U.S. FDA safety standards, making it a legitimate candidate for human trials.

But the gum is just the beginning. The same bean powder is now being explored as a treatment for bird flu, which is currently wreaking havoc across North American poultry farms. Over 54 million birds have been affected in just three months. Daniell’s team plans to add the antiviral protein to bird feed, potentially shielding both birds and humans from infection.

This innovation isn’t just clever—it’s timely. Traditional vaccines and treatments can take months or years to develop. Meanwhile, simple, scalable, and safe options like this gum offer a low-cost frontline defense.

Imagine it: fighting pandemics one chew at a time.

More research is needed, of course, including real-world clinical trials, but the promise is real. In a world exhausted by viruses—from COVID to H5N1 to herpes—this bean-powered gum might just be the surprising hero we never saw coming.

Chew responsibly. The future of public health could be minty-fresh.