Your Spit Could Predict Cancer, Heart Disease, and More.

Researchers at the University of the Basque Country (2025) have discovered that saliva contains hundreds of DNA methylation markers linked to major diseases—including cancer, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, and Parkinson’s. In a study of over 350 individuals, they identified 501 methylated sites and 24 key genes in saliva that correlate with disease risk, some explaining more risk than traditional blood tests.

Using advanced genetic methods (SMR), the researchers matched saliva markers with findings from 36 large genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to confirm these links. Saliva even revealed 56 expression-QTLs (genetic switches influencing gene activity) tied to disease, showing that spit can mirror your full-body health. This positions saliva as a powerful, non-invasive diagnostic tool for early disease detection and personalized health monitoring.

Saliva testing could transform early disease detection—stay tuned for at-home screenings that reveal your risk for cancer, diabetes, and neurodegeneration.