Daily use of popular mouthwash brand ‘could increase risk of cancer’, claims scientist – who now warns that ‘most people should not be using it’
A scientist has claimed that a popular brand of mouthwash could ‘increase the risk of cancer’, while warning that ‘most people should not use it’.
Boffins of the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium, found that two types of bacteria became more common after three months of daily mouthwash use.
Daily use of Listerine Cool Mint mouthwash could increase the risk of developing esophageal and colorectal cancer, a new scientific study claims.
The scientists found that two types of bacteria – Fusobacterium nucleatum and Streptococcus anginosus – both of which have been linked to cancer, were more abundant in the mouth after daily use.
It is believed that the alcohol in mouthwash may increase the number of bacteria in the mouth, the academics said.
Scientists at the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium, found that two types of bacteria became more common after three months of daily mouthwash use (stock image)
The scientists found that two types of bacteria – Fusobacterium nucleatum and Streptococcus anginosus – both of which have been linked to cancer, were more abundant in the mouth after daily use (stock image)
Professor Chris Kenyon, a scientist at the university who worked on the study, said the Daily Telegraph that using the mouthwash “could increase their risk of cancer and various infections.”
He also claimed: ‘Most people should not use it and if they do use it, they should use the preparations without alcohol and limit use to a few days.’
Professor Kenyon and his colleagues made the discovery during a study into the impact of daily mouthwash use on STD risk among gay men.
The 59 participants used Listerine daily for three months, followed by three months of placebo mouthwash or vice versa.
Although the experiment only included Listerine, Professor Kenyon stressed that similar levels of bacteria would likely be found when using other alcohol-based mouthwashes.
Daily use of Listerine Cool Mint mouthwash may increase the risk of developing esophageal and colorectal cancer, a new scientific study has found (stock image)
MailOnline has contacted Kenvue, owner of the Listerine brand, for a response.
In a statement to the Telegraph, a company spokesperson said: ‘Kenvue welcomes and encourages scientific advancements and exchanges to promote everyday health.
‘Based on our initial assessment, the published research lacks a number of important design controls and sufficient rigor to draw conclusions about the potential impact on human health.’