A scientist claims a popular mouthwash brand “may increase the risk of cancer” and has issued a warning that “most people should not use it.”
Researchers at the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium, found that after three months of daily mouthwash use, two types of bacteria were more prevalent.
Daily use of Listerine Cool Mint mouthwash may increase the risk of developing esophageal and colon cancer, according to a new scientific study.
Scientists found that two types of bacteria that have been linked to cancer, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Streptococcus anginosus, were more prevalent in the mouth after daily use.
Researchers believe that the alcohol in mouthwash may increase levels of bacteria in the mouth.
Professor Chris Kenyon, a scientist at the university who worked on the study, said: The Daily Telegraph It warned that using mouthwash “may increase the risk of cancer and various infections.”
“Most people should not use this, and if they do, they should use a formulation without alcohol and limit use to a few days,” he said.
Professor Kenyon and his colleagues made the discovery while investigating the impact of regular mouthwash use among gay men on their risk of sexually transmitted diseases.
Fifty-nine participants used Listerine daily for three months, followed by a placebo mouthwash for three months, or vice versa.
Although only Listerine was used in the study, Professor Kenyon stressed that similar levels of bacteria would likely be found in other alcohol-based mouthwashes.
MailOnline has contacted Kenvue, which owns the Listerine brand, for comment.
In a statement to The Telegraph, a company spokesperson said: “Kemview welcomes and encourages scientific advances and exchanges to promote everyday wellbeing.”
“Based on our initial review, the published studies lack some important design controls and sufficient rigor to draw conclusions about potential human health effects.”
