THERE AREN’T MANY natural remedies that boast as many benefits as mastic gum. It’s said to support dental, heart, and gastrointestinal health. But is there evidence to support these claims?
Mastic gum has been used in many cultures for thousands of years to treat a variety of ailments, says Rabia de Latour, M.D., director of endoscopy at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial capabilities,” she notes.
However, there’s a lack of strong evidence to support some of the claims about mastic gum, especially related to GI health, says Michael Schopis, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Manhattan Gastroenterology. Generally, studies have been small, and many have relied on animal subjects. So he doesn’t recommend it to his patients.
If you’re curious about mastic gum, however, doctors explain what it is and discuss some of its purported benefits, side effects, and how much to take.
What is mastic gum?
MASTIC GUM IS a resin from a small evergreen tree or shrub (Pistacia lentiscus) found in the Mediterranean, according to 2022 research published in Nutrients.
It’s been used as a therapy on the Greek island of Chios for about 2,500 years. The benefits of mastic gum have been linked to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
It’s used as a natural chewing gum and is also available as a supplement in powder form or capsules.
The Benefits of Mastic Gum
MASTIC GUM COULD help you manage certain symptoms, but it shouldn’t replace traditional medical treatments, doctors emphasize. “We do not typically recommend it as a solo treatment,” Dr. de Latour says.
Here’s a look at some of the potential benefits of mastic gum:
It may help with GI problems.
MASTIC GUM MAY have been used to improve GI problems for generations, but Dr. Schopis says most of the studies on the subject are animal-based and not necessarily applicable to humans. Others, he says, have design flaws that make their outcomes questionable.
Here’s what some of this research does say. A small older study suggests that mastic gum could improve abdominal pain and inflammation. A 2015 research review noted that herbal therapies, including mastic gum, had “promising” benefits for patients with inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease, and recommended large-scale clinical studies to further investigate any potential link.
Dr. Schopis suggests skipping mastic gum if you have GI conditions, though, and working with your doctor to treat and manage your condition.
It has antibacterial properties.
MASTIC GUM MAY help fight off the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria, according to a 2010 study. H. pylori is a common bacteria that can cause inflammation and ulcers and possibly damage stomach tissue, says Partha Nandi, M.D., a gastroenterologist and author of Heal Your Gut, Save Your Brain.
It could help manage heartburn symptoms.
MINIMIZING HEARTBURN AND indigestion is another potential benefit of mastic gum, and it’s approved in Europe to treat mild dyspeptic (indigestion) disorders.
However, it won’t heal conditions that cause heartburn or indigestion, like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or esophagitis, Dr. Nandi says. But if you have mild heartburn and no damage to your esophagus, mastic gum could relieve some of the symptoms. If you have severe heartburn, he doesn’t recommend it, though.
It may lower cholesterol.
SMALL STUDIES IN humans and animals suggest mastic gum could have “minimal reductions” in lowering cholesterol for healthy people, says Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., deputy director of clinical cardiology at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida.
“It may be due to the activation of certain enzymes which help us remove cholesterol from the blood,” he says. “It should be noted that the decrease in cholesterol includes a drop in the HDL-cholesterol as well as the LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.”
But there’s no long-term research on mastic gum’s safety and effectiveness for lowering cholesterol or improving your cardiovascular risk, Dr. Fialkow says, so he doesn’t recommend it to his patients.
It could help prevent cavities.
MASTIC GUM CONTAINS antimicrobial properties that target streptococcus mutans, a bacteria that causes dental decay, says Nathan Estrin, D.M.D., a periodontist in Sarasota, Florida. However, there’s a lack of clinical trials showing its effectiveness in preventing tooth decay in patients.
Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease, and mastic gum’s anti-inflammatory properties may help people with gum disease when used along with treatments from a periodontist and good dental hygiene, Dr. Estrin says.
Chewing mastic gum, or any other sugar-free gum, can help remove plaque and boost saliva production, which naturally protects your teeth and balances your mouth’s pH, he explains.
“While mastic gum has the potential to improve oral health by reducing inflammation, removing plaque, and increasing saliva production, thus activating your body’s own defenses, it is not a replacement for good home care and regular dental cleanings,” Dr. Estrin says.
It might improve prostate health.
SOME RESEARCH HAS suggested that mastic gum could inhibit the function of an androgen receptor, which may lower your risk of developing prostate cancer. But much more research on the subject is needed to outline a clear link.
It could be good for your liver.
ONE SMALL STUDY from 2007 suggests mastic gum powder may help prevent liver damage by lowering certain liver enzymes that contribute to damaging the organ. An animal study showed that it could improve liver function for people with liver disease.
How much mastic gum should you take?
THERE’S NO STANDARDIZED dose since there’s limited data on mastic gum’s benefits, Dr. Schopis says. However, most studies have used 700 milligrams to 2,800 milligrams daily.
Does it have any side effects?
MASTIC GUM IS considered generally safe. But stop taking it if you have any symptoms.
Some people may experience nausea or an upset stomach from it, however, Dr. Nandi says. “If you can tolerate it with no symptoms, I think it’s safe to take for most people.”
