Scientists have raised concerns over a popular brand of mouth-wash found in most bathroom cabinets. Experts claim the daily use of Listerine, particularly the Cool Mint flavor, could increase the risk of two deadly cancers. They advise against its everyday use.
A recent study revealed that daily gargling with Listerine Cool Mint significantly increased the levels of two types of bacteria in the mouth, both of which have been linked to esophageal and colorectal cancer.
The study, conducted by scientists from the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium, found that the alcohol in the mouthwash disrupts the normal bacterial balance in the mouth.
After three months of daily use, levels of Fusobacterium nucleatum and Streptococcus anginosus were found to be much higher. These bacteria have been associated with esophageal and bowel cancer.
The research also showed a decrease in Actinobacteria, a group of bacteria known to help regulate blood pressure.
Professor Chris Kenyon, who led the study, told The Telegraph that using alcohol-based mouthwash like Listerine Cool Mint daily “could increase the risk of cancer and various infections.”
He advised that most people should avoid using alcohol-based mouthwashes and, if necessary, limit their use to a couple of days.
The findings emerged during an investigation into the impact of daily mouthwash use on STI risk among gay men. The study involved 59 participants who used Listerine daily for three months, followed by three months of placebo mouthwash, or vice versa.
Although the experiment focused on Listerine, Prof. Kenyon suggested that similar results would likely be found with other alcohol-based mouthwashes. Listerine Cool Mint contains 20% alcohol, but alcohol-free alternatives are widely available and recommended by the study’s scientists.
Listerine, one of the most popular mouthwash brands globally, is owned by Kenvue.
A Kenvue spokesperson responded to the study, and added: “Studies on the impact of Listerine on oral health have been published in hundreds of peer-reviewed publications for more than a century, making it one of the most extensively tested oral mouthwash brands in the world.
“We continuously evaluate the latest science. There is no evidence that Listerine causes cancer.”