Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsUseWho Should Avoid It?Added Ingredients
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
Use
Who Should Avoid It?
Added Ingredients
Mastic gum is a licorice-flavored resin extracted from the bark of thePistacia lentiscustree native to the Mediterranean region.Traditionally chewed as a breath freshener and digestive aid, mastic gum has gained recent attention for its potential benefits in promotinggut health.
This article explores the emerging evidence on how mastic gum may support digestive health and discusses important considerations before incorporating it into your wellness routine.
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Mastic Gum Production Process
Compounds in Mastic Chewing Gum: Understanding Benefits
Mastic chewing gum’s health benefits stem from its rich composition ofantioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory compounds. Here’s a breakdown of how these compounds may promote gut health.
Protect Against Bacterial Infection
The most abundant compounds in mastic gum,triterpenes, make up 65% to 70% of the total weight of mastic gum.Triterpenes are chemical compounds with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties that may benefit gut health.
Research shows triterpenes have antibacterial properties that may help combatHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori)—a bacterium associated with the development ofpeptic ulcers(open sores that develop on the inside lining of the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine),gastritis(inflammation of the stomach lining) andstomach cancer.
Triterpene acids in mastic gum inhibit the growth ofH. pyloriand disrupt the ability of the bacterium to invade cells on the stomach lining, which may protect against infection and lower the risk of gastrointestinal disorders.
Monoterpenes, specific chemical compounds in mastic gum, exhibit broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against gut bacteria associated with food-borne illnesses, includingEscherichia coli(E. coli) andBacillus subtilis(B.subtilis). By inhibiting the growth of these bacteria, mastic gum may reduce the risk of food poisoning.
Relieve Digestive Discomfort
Mastic gum’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds may alleviate the digestive discomfort associated with gut inflammation and irritation. An older study found that daily administration of 1 gram (g) of mastic gum provided symptom relief in people withduodenal ulcers(sores in the first part of the small intestine).
Subsequent endoscopic procedures showed ulcer healing occurred in 70% of study participants treated with mastic gum.
Some research suggests mastic gum may have mild antacid properties, which may sootheheartburn(acid reflux) and indigestion.One study found that daily administration of 350 milligrams (mg) of mastic gum three times daily for three weeks significantly improved symptoms ofdyspepsia(indigestion) in study participants.
Support a Healthy Gut Microbiome
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in mastic gum also help soothe gut inflammation and create a more hospitable environment for beneficial bacteria to flourish.
Protects Against Oxidative Stress and Damage
Mastic gum is rich in polyphenols—potent antioxidants that neutralize harmfulfree radicalsand protect the body fromoxidative stress. Oxidative stress causes inflammation, which can damage gut cells and contribute to the development ofchronic gastrointestinal (GI) disorders.
Polyphenols in mastic gum also help maintain the strength and integrity of the intestinal barrier. This may help lower the risk of infection and chronic gut diseases and promote overall gut health.
Reduce Inflammation
Chronic inflammation in the GI tract contributes to the development and progression of gastrointestinal disorders, including theinflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs)Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Research shows that mastic gum contains anti-inflammatory compounds that may controlgut inflammation.
Triterpene acids and polyphenic compounds in mastic gum exhibit powerful anti-inflammatory properties that regulate inflammatory pathways and reduce the amount of inflammatory substances in the gut. By regulating immune activity and reducing inflammation, mastic gum may help prevent the development of IBDs or their symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloating.
Mastic Gum: Traditional UsesMastic gum boasts a rich history of use as a traditional medicine. For over 2,500 years, humans have chewed mastic gum as a natural remedy to support:Healthy digestionInfection controlOral hygieneWound healing
Mastic Gum: Traditional Uses
Mastic gum boasts a rich history of use as a traditional medicine. For over 2,500 years, humans have chewed mastic gum as a natural remedy to support:Healthy digestionInfection controlOral hygieneWound healing
Mastic gum boasts a rich history of use as a traditional medicine. For over 2,500 years, humans have chewed mastic gum as a natural remedy to support:
How Often to Chew Mastic Gum
While the potential benefits of mastic gum for gut health are promising, research on its optimal use for gut health is ongoing. There are no recommendations on optimal amounts for how often and long to chew mastic gum.
Studies exploring mastic gum’s effects on gut conditions have involved varying amounts, ranging from 350 mg three times a day to 2.8 g daily.
Here are some general tips for safely incorporating mastic gum into your routine:
Should Anyone Not Chew Mastic Gum?
Mastic gum is generally safe and well-tolerated, with no reported adverse effects or drug interactions.However, research on the effects of mastic gum on human health is limited, and people with certain conditions should exercise caution before chewing mastic gum:
As with any supplement, it is important to consult a healthcare provider before incorporating mastic gum into your routine, especially if you have underlying conditions or are taking medications. Your provider can help you determine the appropriate amount and how often to chew mastic gum.
Mastic Gum With Added Ingredients
There are different ways to enjoy mastic gum: pure teardrops containing 100% mastic gum and commercially prepared chewing gum with added ingredients.
Prepackaged mastic chewing gums include additional ingredients such as:
Ingredients vary widely among brands and products. Always check the label and choose options that align with your dietary needs.
Summary
Mastic gum, a resin extracted from thePistacia lentiscustree, has a rich history of use in traditional medicine as a natural remedy for supporting oral and digestive health. Research shows mastic gum may be especially beneficial for gut health, helping to promote a healthy gut microbiome, protect the intestinal barrier, and fight bacterial infections associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal diseases.
While mastic gum is generally well-tolerated, talk to a healthcare provider before trying mastic gum to ensure you experience its benefits safely and effectively.
17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Plants For a Future.Pistascia lentiscus-L.Ottria R, Xynomilakis O, Casati S, et al.Chios mastic gum: chemical profile and pharmacological properties in inflammatory bowel disease: from the past to the future.Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(15):12038. doi:10.3390/ijms241512038Dabos KJ, Sfika E, Vlatta LJ, Giannikopoulos G.The effect of mastic gum on Helicobacter pylori: A randomized pilot study.Phytomedicine. 2010;17(3-4):296-299.Soulaidopoulos S, Tsiogka A, Chrysohoou C, et al.Overview of Chios mastic gum (Pistacia lentiscus) effects on human health.Nutrients. 2022;14(3):590. doi:10.3390/nu14030590Tabanca N, Nalbantsoy A, Kendra PE, Demirci F, Demirci B.Chemical characterization and biological activity of the mastic gum essential oils ofPistacia lentiscusVar.Chiafrom Turkey.Molecules. 2020;25(9):2136. doi:10.3390/molecules25092136Paraschos S, Magiatis P, Mitakou S, et al.In vitro and in vivo activities of Chios mastic gum extracts and constituents against Helicobacter pylori.Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2007;51(2):551-559. doi:10.1128/AAC.00642-06Burešová I, Salek RN, Varga E, et al.The effect of Chios mastic gum addition on the characteristics of rice dough and bread.LWT - Food Science and Technology. 2017;81:299-305. doi:10.1016/j.lwt.2017.04.010Fan L, Xia Y, Wang Y, et al.Gut microbiota bridges dietary nutrients and host immunity.Sci China Life Sci. 2023;66(11):2466-2514. doi:10.1007/s11427-023-2346-1Hussain T, Tan B, Yin Y, Blachier F, Tossou MC, Rahu N.Oxidative stress and inflammation: what polyphenols can do for us?.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2016;2016:7432797. doi:10.1155/2016/7432797Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?Pachi VK, Mikropoulou EV, Gkiouvetidis P, et al.Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Chios mastic gum (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia, Anacardiaceae): a review.J Ethnopharmacol. 2020;254:112485. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2019.112485Kannt A, Papada E, Kammermeier C, et al.Mastiha (Pistacia lentiscus) improves gut microbiota diversity, hepatic steatosis, and disease activity in a biopsy-confirmed mouse model of advanced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and fibrosis.Mol Nutr Food Res. 2019;63(24):e1900927. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201900927Chios Anemos.How to use mastic/masticha.Mastic Life.Side effects & safety information: mastic gum.MasticLife.ELMA sugarfree box.Shawari Brothers.Mastic flavor.Kolonaki Fine Foods.Chewing gum with probiotics and mastiha.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Plants For a Future.Pistascia lentiscus-L.Ottria R, Xynomilakis O, Casati S, et al.Chios mastic gum: chemical profile and pharmacological properties in inflammatory bowel disease: from the past to the future.Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(15):12038. doi:10.3390/ijms241512038Dabos KJ, Sfika E, Vlatta LJ, Giannikopoulos G.The effect of mastic gum on Helicobacter pylori: A randomized pilot study.Phytomedicine. 2010;17(3-4):296-299.Soulaidopoulos S, Tsiogka A, Chrysohoou C, et al.Overview of Chios mastic gum (Pistacia lentiscus) effects on human health.Nutrients. 2022;14(3):590. doi:10.3390/nu14030590Tabanca N, Nalbantsoy A, Kendra PE, Demirci F, Demirci B.Chemical characterization and biological activity of the mastic gum essential oils ofPistacia lentiscusVar.Chiafrom Turkey.Molecules. 2020;25(9):2136. doi:10.3390/molecules25092136Paraschos S, Magiatis P, Mitakou S, et al.In vitro and in vivo activities of Chios mastic gum extracts and constituents against Helicobacter pylori.Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2007;51(2):551-559. doi:10.1128/AAC.00642-06Burešová I, Salek RN, Varga E, et al.The effect of Chios mastic gum addition on the characteristics of rice dough and bread.LWT - Food Science and Technology. 2017;81:299-305. doi:10.1016/j.lwt.2017.04.010Fan L, Xia Y, Wang Y, et al.Gut microbiota bridges dietary nutrients and host immunity.Sci China Life Sci. 2023;66(11):2466-2514. doi:10.1007/s11427-023-2346-1Hussain T, Tan B, Yin Y, Blachier F, Tossou MC, Rahu N.Oxidative stress and inflammation: what polyphenols can do for us?.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2016;2016:7432797. doi:10.1155/2016/7432797Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?Pachi VK, Mikropoulou EV, Gkiouvetidis P, et al.Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Chios mastic gum (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia, Anacardiaceae): a review.J Ethnopharmacol. 2020;254:112485. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2019.112485Kannt A, Papada E, Kammermeier C, et al.Mastiha (Pistacia lentiscus) improves gut microbiota diversity, hepatic steatosis, and disease activity in a biopsy-confirmed mouse model of advanced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and fibrosis.Mol Nutr Food Res. 2019;63(24):e1900927. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201900927Chios Anemos.How to use mastic/masticha.Mastic Life.Side effects & safety information: mastic gum.MasticLife.ELMA sugarfree box.Shawari Brothers.Mastic flavor.Kolonaki Fine Foods.Chewing gum with probiotics and mastiha.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Plants For a Future.Pistascia lentiscus-L.Ottria R, Xynomilakis O, Casati S, et al.Chios mastic gum: chemical profile and pharmacological properties in inflammatory bowel disease: from the past to the future.Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(15):12038. doi:10.3390/ijms241512038Dabos KJ, Sfika E, Vlatta LJ, Giannikopoulos G.The effect of mastic gum on Helicobacter pylori: A randomized pilot study.Phytomedicine. 2010;17(3-4):296-299.Soulaidopoulos S, Tsiogka A, Chrysohoou C, et al.Overview of Chios mastic gum (Pistacia lentiscus) effects on human health.Nutrients. 2022;14(3):590. doi:10.3390/nu14030590Tabanca N, Nalbantsoy A, Kendra PE, Demirci F, Demirci B.Chemical characterization and biological activity of the mastic gum essential oils ofPistacia lentiscusVar.Chiafrom Turkey.Molecules. 2020;25(9):2136. doi:10.3390/molecules25092136Paraschos S, Magiatis P, Mitakou S, et al.In vitro and in vivo activities of Chios mastic gum extracts and constituents against Helicobacter pylori.Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2007;51(2):551-559. doi:10.1128/AAC.00642-06Burešová I, Salek RN, Varga E, et al.The effect of Chios mastic gum addition on the characteristics of rice dough and bread.LWT - Food Science and Technology. 2017;81:299-305. doi:10.1016/j.lwt.2017.04.010Fan L, Xia Y, Wang Y, et al.Gut microbiota bridges dietary nutrients and host immunity.Sci China Life Sci. 2023;66(11):2466-2514. doi:10.1007/s11427-023-2346-1Hussain T, Tan B, Yin Y, Blachier F, Tossou MC, Rahu N.Oxidative stress and inflammation: what polyphenols can do for us?.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2016;2016:7432797. doi:10.1155/2016/7432797Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?Pachi VK, Mikropoulou EV, Gkiouvetidis P, et al.Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Chios mastic gum (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia, Anacardiaceae): a review.J Ethnopharmacol. 2020;254:112485. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2019.112485Kannt A, Papada E, Kammermeier C, et al.Mastiha (Pistacia lentiscus) improves gut microbiota diversity, hepatic steatosis, and disease activity in a biopsy-confirmed mouse model of advanced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and fibrosis.Mol Nutr Food Res. 2019;63(24):e1900927. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201900927Chios Anemos.How to use mastic/masticha.Mastic Life.Side effects & safety information: mastic gum.MasticLife.ELMA sugarfree box.Shawari Brothers.Mastic flavor.Kolonaki Fine Foods.Chewing gum with probiotics and mastiha.
Plants For a Future.Pistascia lentiscus-L.
Ottria R, Xynomilakis O, Casati S, et al.Chios mastic gum: chemical profile and pharmacological properties in inflammatory bowel disease: from the past to the future.Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(15):12038. doi:10.3390/ijms241512038
Dabos KJ, Sfika E, Vlatta LJ, Giannikopoulos G.The effect of mastic gum on Helicobacter pylori: A randomized pilot study.Phytomedicine. 2010;17(3-4):296-299.
Soulaidopoulos S, Tsiogka A, Chrysohoou C, et al.Overview of Chios mastic gum (Pistacia lentiscus) effects on human health.Nutrients. 2022;14(3):590. doi:10.3390/nu14030590
Tabanca N, Nalbantsoy A, Kendra PE, Demirci F, Demirci B.Chemical characterization and biological activity of the mastic gum essential oils ofPistacia lentiscusVar.Chiafrom Turkey.Molecules. 2020;25(9):2136. doi:10.3390/molecules25092136
Paraschos S, Magiatis P, Mitakou S, et al.In vitro and in vivo activities of Chios mastic gum extracts and constituents against Helicobacter pylori.Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2007;51(2):551-559. doi:10.1128/AAC.00642-06
Burešová I, Salek RN, Varga E, et al.The effect of Chios mastic gum addition on the characteristics of rice dough and bread.LWT - Food Science and Technology. 2017;81:299-305. doi:10.1016/j.lwt.2017.04.010
Fan L, Xia Y, Wang Y, et al.Gut microbiota bridges dietary nutrients and host immunity.Sci China Life Sci. 2023;66(11):2466-2514. doi:10.1007/s11427-023-2346-1
Hussain T, Tan B, Yin Y, Blachier F, Tossou MC, Rahu N.Oxidative stress and inflammation: what polyphenols can do for us?.Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2016;2016:7432797. doi:10.1155/2016/7432797
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?
Pachi VK, Mikropoulou EV, Gkiouvetidis P, et al.Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Chios mastic gum (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia, Anacardiaceae): a review.J Ethnopharmacol. 2020;254:112485. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2019.112485
Kannt A, Papada E, Kammermeier C, et al.Mastiha (Pistacia lentiscus) improves gut microbiota diversity, hepatic steatosis, and disease activity in a biopsy-confirmed mouse model of advanced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and fibrosis.Mol Nutr Food Res. 2019;63(24):e1900927. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201900927
Chios Anemos.How to use mastic/masticha.
Mastic Life.Side effects & safety information: mastic gum.
MasticLife.ELMA sugarfree box.
Shawari Brothers.Mastic flavor.
Kolonaki Fine Foods.Chewing gum with probiotics and mastiha.
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