Mastic gum, also known as Chios mastic or resin, has been chewed for centuries around the Mediterranean.
It is produced by the bark of the mastic tree, Pistacia lentiscus (a member of the pistachio family), that grows mainly on the Greek island of Chios in the Aegean Sea.
This tree has been harvested for at least 2,500 years since Ancient Greece. In fact, the 1st mention of the compound was by Hippocrates, the “Father of Modern Medicine,” who used it for the prevention of colds, stomach problems, and as a breath freshener.
Dioscorides (a Greek pharmacologist, physician, botanist, and author of De Materia Medica) noted many benefits of this supplement, including that it helped treat internal bleeding, and was also used as a diuretic. Studies are now confirming his notes.
Presently, this product can be found in naturopathic clinics and a variety of health food stores.
Benefits and Uses of Resin
It may help treat indigestion, according to a 2010 study issued in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
For the study, 148 patients with functional dyspepsia (a chronic condition of movement and sensation in the upper digestive tract) took either a placebo or resin three times a day. The majority of participants noticed an improvement.
Helps You To Get Rid Of Helicobacter Pylori
H. pylori is a type of bacteria which commonly infects the stomach. This frequently happens during childhood. H. pylori may be present in more than fifty percent of all people in the world.
According to statistics, 10% of people infected with this bacteria may develop an ulcer. Also, people living with H. pylori have an increased risk of stomach cancer and lymphoma.
Most people with this bacteria will never have any symptoms or signs. However, when symptoms do occur, they may include – bloating, belching, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, fatigue, passing dark stools, decreased appetite, low red blood cell count, peptic ulcers, diarrhea, bad breath (halitosis), or heartburn.
Resin has been shown to act as an antibiotic against the bacterium and also to inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori. However, a few studies have indicated that it has only a moderate capacity to eliminate this bacteria.
Nevertheless, refining this compound by removing the polymer poly-β-myrcene may make isomasticadienolic acid more efficient and available.
LDL cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the human blood which can build-up in the walls of the arteries and form plaque. This plague deposits can narrow the blood vessels and leads to a condition called arteriosclerosis.
The symptoms and signs of atherosclerosis can vary depending on the level of plaque deposit. However, it may include chest pain, weakness, headaches, chest pain, and leg cramps.
In addition, plaque deposits can block the flow of blood to arteries which supply blood to your stomach, arms, feet, and legs. This is called peripheral arterial disease. According to studies, daily consumption of this gum (and other dietary fibers) reduces LDL and total cholesterol levels.
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease which can affect any part of the gut, nevertheless, the most common area affected is the last part of the small intestine. Symptoms include – abdominal pain, diarrhea, unintended weight loss, fatigue, mucus and blood in stools.
According to research, taking this supplement by mouth for one month reduces test markers for swelling in patients with this problem.
Scientists have established that this supplement may prevent cavities, according to a study issued in the Archives of Oral Biology.
Cavities are what you get from damage to the tooth. They are more frequent among children, however, changes which occur with aging make cavities a frequent adult problem, too.
About 80 million individuals suffer from chronic bad breath (halitosis). There are a variety of causes of halitosis, such as – tooth decay, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
More importantly, bad breath may be a sign of type 2 diabetes mellitus, gastric reflux, kidney or liver disease. This supplement is an effective treatment for halitosis since chewing it removes bad mouth odor.
Recent research concluded that this supplement prevents cancer cells from developing and helps to slow tumor growth, particularly in patients with prostate and lung cancer development.
1 out of 4 cancer deaths are from lung cancer and it is the leading cause of cancer death among both women and men. In 2018, over 235,000 new cases of lung cancer were expected to be diagnosed. Also, most individuals diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 or older.
Prostate cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer death in the US men, with approximately 1 man in 40 will die of this type of cancer.
Side Effects Of Mastic Gum
Based on the available studies, the worst side effects include some digestive distress, especially in people who are having some gastro-digestive problems. If you experience an adverse reaction to this supplement, discontinue its use immediately.