The Charger Blog
A Mandate for Internationalization
President Jens Frederiksen accelerates the University’s focus on a shrinking world.
University News
Professor and Her Students May Have Found a Cure for Lyme Disease
Could a common sweetener that's already in the kitchen cupboards in many American homes — stevia — prove to be an effective treatment for a disease as debilitating and persistent as Lyme disease?
July 07, 2017
It's too early to say that for sure, but research by Eva Sapi, a University of New Haven professor of cellular and molecular biology, and the students in her Lyme Disease Research Group .
In a paper published in the , Sapi and her students found that the most antibiotic resistant form of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease — called biofilm — actually increased in mass with individual antibiotics.
But liquid, whole-leaf stevia extract — not the powdered varieties that people most commonly use — reduced the biofilm mass by about 40 percent, they found.
WFSB 3 CT News
"Is it the one?" Sapi asked. "I don't know." But in confirmation test after confirmation test, "that is the one that jumped out."
got underway just a few months ago, and researchers there are using stevia along with antibiotics to try and treat Lyme disease, while others are taking the extract themselves.
I've got emails from people saying they're getting better, but again, we need to have double-blind clinical trials before we say ‘yes'. Everybody is holding their breath to see if it helps, and let's hope for it. That would be wonderful.
– Professor Eva Sapi, Ph.D.
Recent News
The Charger Blog
New Graduate Shares Journey Leading to Role at One of the World’s Leading Medical Device Companies
Alexandra Iozzo ’25 shares how the University of New Haven’s mechanical engineering program and a strong alumni network helped her land a role as a quality engineer at Medtronic, one of the world’s leading medical device companies.
University News
University of New Haven Again Commended as a College of Distinction
For the 15th consecutive year, a respected national guide has recognized the University of New Haven, applauding the student-focused, career-driven experiences offered across its curriculum. ËÄÉ«AV’s programs in engineering and business received special recognition.