Mastic gum benefits and uses: what the research shows

• Oral and dental health: strong human research
• Digestion: strong human research
• Reflux: limited human evidence
• H. pylori: limited human evidence
• Jaw and facial muscles: limited human evidence
• Heart and metabolic markers: limited human evidence
• Effects on cancer, sperm and testosterone, asthma, and atherosclerosis: early lab research

What is mastic gum good for?

Oral and dental health

Oral health is the strongest-evidenced benefit of mastic gum.

Two clinical studies showed that chewing mastic gum reduced oral bacteria, plaque levels, and gum-inflammation scores.¹²

Lowering harmful bacteria and getting rid of plaque prompts overall healthier oral conditions like better breath.

Digestion, reflux, and H. pylori

The Dabos 2010 trial tested the efficacy of mastic gum in 148 patients with functional dyspepsia. Mastic gum improved several symptoms including heartburn.³

In a randomized pilot study the same year, 52 H. pylori patients took mastic gum for symptom relief and support. Pure mastic eradicated the infection in roughly a third of the patients.⁴

When added to standard H. pylori triple therapy in another study, mastic gum capsules cleared the infection in 83 of 90 patients.⁵

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) classifies mastic gum as a traditional herbal medicine for mild digestive complaints.⁶ Mastic gum has many other gut benefits, which you can read about in our detailed explanation.

Jaw and facial muscles

Any mastic gum chewer can attest to the fact that it is hard and chewy, making it an effective resistance training for the jaw muscles.

It primarily works the masseter muscles. Chewing mastic gum can make your jaw muscles stronger, healthier, and, in some cases, bigger. Larger masseters widen the jaw, resulting in a sharper, more defined jawline when body fat is low enough for the muscle to show. By contrast, regular chewing gum is too soft and lacks the necessary resistance to work the masseters.

Heart and metabolic markers

A prospective, randomized pilot study by Kartalis in 2016 found that 1 gram of mastic gum capsules a day modestly lowered total cholesterol levels and fasting plasma glucose levels.⁷

It was most effective for overweight and obese patients.

The effects of chewing on stress levels, mood, and performance

A study by Tasaka et al. in 2014 found that chewing significantly lowered cortisol levels in 14 subjects.⁸ Another trial in 2019 saw a reduction in stress, depression, and anxiety levels in 100 students after chewing gum first for 7 days and then for 19.⁹ Researchers concluded that chewing gum before an exam can alleviate pre-test stress and improve focus.

Chewing can improve alertness and productivity throughout the day but has not been found to affect heart rate.¹⁰ Researchers have noted small differences between the effects of regular gum and mastic gum, but the findings were not significant.¹⁰

Early mastic research: experimental and unproven benefits

Mastic gum has some potential benefits that are based on lab-only or animal-only research. The research on mastic affecting cancer, sperm and testosterone, asthma, and atherosclerosis is tentative.

• Researchers are looking at mastic compounds and cancer cells together. No human research has been conducted.
• A human trial on male sexuality and prostate function singled out zinc as a mastic gum compound that can potentially boost testosterone levels.¹¹
• The only evidence we have that mastic may help asthma comes from a trial performed on asthmatic model mice.¹²
• The Kartalis research on cholesterol indicates a possibility that mastic gum can help atherosclerosis, but no research has studied it specifically.⁷

Is it safe and who should be careful?

For most people, mastic gum is generally considered safe.

Few studies have reported adverse side effects, and those that did reported only minor or short-term ones. There have not been any documented allergies from oral consumption of mastic resin. Though mastic resin and pistachios come from the same Pistacia genus, there is nothing in mastic resin that poses a problem for those with nut allergies.

The biggest problem customers encounter with mastic gum is jaw soreness, not any health complaint. Even then, the soreness is usually mentioned positively as it indicates a good jaw workout.

Digestive complaints are rare and generally mild when they do come up. That being said, you may want to exercise caution if you have TMJ; a pre-existing mouth, jaw, teeth, or stomach condition; or a sensitive stomach that’s easily upset.

When to chew vs. take capsules and what to realistically expect

Use mastic chewing gum for:

• Oral and dental health
• Jaw and facial muscle development
• Reflux improvement

Mastic gum capsules are more effective for:

• Digestive health
• H. pylori treatment
• Lowering cholesterol and glucose levels

Don’t expect to see results instantly. It can take a few weeks on average to see any benefits from mastic gum, and the best results come from months to years of consistent chewing.

Daily uses for mastic gum

Mastic gum has many useful benefits for everyday life.

• Fresher breath after morning coffee (chewing gum)¹
• Daily jaw training (chewing gum)
• Digestive relief (capsules)³
• Cleaning teeth after meals (chewing gum)¹
• Stress relief and higher alertness (chewing gum)⁹¹⁰
• A gut cleanse (capsules)³⁴

To get the most use out of your mastic gum, keep a chewed wad in water between chewing sessions. This allows you to rechew the same piece several times.

We recommend starting with our Chios mastic gum, as you can reap the most benefits from chewing.

FAQs about mastic gum benefits

What is mastic gum good for?

Mastic gum has many benefits, mainly for oral health. Other notable benefits include improving digestive health, improving reflux and H. pylori, lowering cholesterol and strengthening jaw and facial muscles. Studies have tentatively named benefits for cancer, sperm and testosterone, and asthma, but the only research we have on those is early and still experimental.

What are the downsides of mastic gum?

Certain people may experience unwanted jaw soreness, mild digestive issues, or dental work loosening from chewing. Not everyone experiences these. Some customers also complain about not liking the texture and taste of mastic gum.

Can you take mastic gum every day?

Yes, it is safe to take every day, but you should work your way up to that. It’s important to start small. To learn more about recommended chewing guidelines, visit our page on how long to chew.

How long does it take for mastic gum to work?

This can vary from person to person. Most people see small results after two-three weeks. It can take months for the full effects to become noticeable.

Does mastic gum get rid of Candida?

Various studies tested the efficacy of mastic gum in killing Candida, but they all tested in petri dishes, not on people. They saw varying levels of success in killing and stopping the spread of Candida. So the resin has been found effective against Candida, but they have yet to test on humans.

Is Chios mastic gum better than regular mastic gum?

Real mastic gum comes exclusively from the Greek island of Chios. If you find “mastic” gum that’s not made of pure resin from Chios, it’s not real mastic. Certain brands, such as Falim Gum, sell “mastic gum” that is just flavored with a piney mastic taste.

What is mastic gum used for?

Mastic gum is used regularly for jaw training, digestive relief, freshening breath, relieving stress and increasing focus, and for overall gut and oral health. To learn more about how to chew for these benefits, read our how-long-to-chew guide.

This article originally appeared online in 2024; it was most recently updated on September 1, 2026, to include current information.

Beatrix Turajski

Beatrix is a health and wellness writer with two blogs and a special passion for mental health, fitness, and nutrition. Her career has taken her from creative writing to interning to freelancing.