Could breast milk help stop the spread of coronavirus?

Chinese researchers say whey protein from human breast milk appears to halt viral replication

Breastfeeding baby
(Image credit: STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Human breast milk may help to prevent or treat the novel coronavirus, according to a new study.

The researchers, from the Beijing University of Chemical Technology, say that whey proteins in breast milk can inhibit Sars-CoV-2, which causes Covid-19, by “blocking viral attachment, entry and even post-entry viral replication”.

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Arion McNicoll is a freelance writer at The Week Digital and was previously the UK website’s editor. He has also held senior editorial roles at CNN, The Times and The Sunday Times. Along with his writing work, he co-hosts “Today in History with The Retrospectors”, Rethink Audio’s flagship daily podcast, and is a regular panellist (and occasional stand-in host) on “The Week Unwrapped”. He is also a judge for The Publisher Podcast Awards.