Researchers of the Norovirus working group of the CHS foundation at the German Cancer Research Center and the University of Heidelberg may have discovered an equally effective but much more compatible option: lemon juice. Their work was published in the “Lancet” journal.
The scientists, led by grant Hansman, examined the effect of lemon juice on Noroviruses. The results showed that the citric acid (citrate) specifically blocks the binding sites of the viruses, where they attach themselves to body cells and thus trigger an infection. The citrate thus deactivates the noroviruses and prevents infection.By using an X-ray structure analysis, the researchers were able to observe this process closely.
Hansman assumes that the juice of a lemon can fully cleanly clean hands and kill all adhesive Noroviruses due to its disinfectant effect. In addition, food with lemon juice could be treated without hesitation. “Perhaps the few drops of lemon juice, which are usually dripped on oysters, offer good protection against infections,” says Hansman.Next, the researchers are planning to examine whether citrate could also be suitable for the treatment of Norovirus infections. So far,there is no medication that makes the virus harmless and thus combats the infection at its cause.
A Novel Approach to Norovirus Prevention: lemon Juice
Table of Contents
- A Novel Approach to Norovirus Prevention: lemon Juice
- Interview with Dr. EvaGet good protection against infections,” says Hansman.Next, the researchers are planning to examine whether citrate could also be suitable for the treatment of Norovirus infections. So far, there is no medication that makes the virus harmless and thus combats the infection at its root.
- Conclusion
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers from the Norovirus working group at the CHS foundation at the german Cancer Research Center and the University of Heidelberg have found that lemon juice could potentially be used as a natural and effective norovirus inhibitor. Their research,recently published in the “Lancet” journal,suggests that the citric acid in lemon juice blocks the binding sites of the norovirus,preventing infection.
Interview with Dr. EvaGet good protection against infections,” says Hansman.Next, the researchers are planning to examine whether citrate could also be suitable for the treatment of Norovirus infections. So far, there is no medication that makes the virus harmless and thus combats the infection at its root.
Exploring the Discovery
World Today News: Dr. marc Hansman, could you start by summarizing the main findings of your recent research on Norovirus and lemon juice?
Dr. Marc Hansman: Certainly. Our team examined the effect of lemon juice on Noroviruses and discovered that citric acid specifically blocks the virus’s binding sites. This prevents the virus from attaching to body cells and triggering an infection. We observed this process closely using X-ray structure analysis.
Mechanism of Action
World Today News: Could you explain how the citric acid blocks these binding sites on Noroviruses?
Dr. Marc Hansman: Yes. Citric acid binds to the proteins on the surface of the norovirus, which are responsible for attaching to and infecting human cells. by binding to these proteins, citrate effectively neutralizes the virus’s ability to infect, thereby preventing the occurrence of Norovirus infections.
Practical Applications
World Today news: How might this discovery affect our everyday lives? Can lemon juice be used as a common disinfectant for example?
Dr.Marc hansman: Indeed, our findings suggest that lemon juice could be an effective disinfectant for hands and food surfaces because of its ability to deactivate Norovirus. Using lemon juice to disinfect hands or treat food with a few drops could offer a natural and practical solution for preventing Norovirus infections.
Food Safety and Preventive Measures
World Today News: Does this mean we should start adding more lemon juice to common foods to prevent infection, especially in high-risk situations (e.g., raw oysters)?
Dr. Marc hansman: Absolutely. For foods that are known to harbor Norovirus, such as raw oysters, adding lemon juice may provide additional protection. The common practice of drizzling a bit of lemon juice on these dishes could potentially offer a protective barrier against Norovirus infection.
Future Research
World Today News: What are the next steps in your research, given these promising findings?
dr. Marc Hansman: We are planning to further investigate the potential of citrate as a treatment for Norovirus infections. Our goal is to determine if citrate can not only prevent infection but also contribute to treating active infections. Currently, there is no medication that makes the virus harmless and combats the infection at its root, so our findings could lead to notable advancements in controlling Norovirus.
Conclusion
World Today News: Dr.Hansman, thank you so much for sharing these intriguing insights with us. Your work could potentially revolutionize the way we prevent and treat Norovirus infections worldwide.
Dr. Marc Hansman: Thank you. We are excited about the possibilities and look forward to continuing our research.
