Chewing Mastic Gum

Chewing gum is good for the gums. Another word for chewing is ‘masticate’ and chewing ‘mastic’ gum is the best. The Ancient Greeks chewed mastic gum made from the resin of the mastic tree. Because mastic contains compounds that are known to inhibit the growth of oral bacteria, Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium primarily responsible for gastritis and peptic ulcers (it’s also strongly implicated in stomach cancer). Although H. pylori does its dirty work primarily in the stomach and duodenum, it also frequently colonizes the mouth, hence it can re-infect a stomach from which it had been eradicated. That’s a good reason for attacking H. pylori in the mouth as well as in the gastrointestinal tract—and mastic gum can do that.

Some studies have suggested, by the way, that H. pylori may also be implicated in the development of coronary heart disease, possibly by modifying serum lipid concentrations. The medicinal use of mastic is diverse. The resin has been used in cancer, infection, surgical wound adhesion, and ulcers. Studies also document its use as an antioxidant and an insecticide, and for treatment of high cholesterol, Crohn disease, diabetes and hypertension. However, clinical trials to support these uses are limited.

Now to my surprise I was given ‘Mastic Gum’ in place of coins by the cashier in a super market. I was eager to chew mastic but struggled to open the pack. I want the company Batook to know that it is very difficult to open the pack. There is a possibility of the contents to eject out while opening the pack. The video in this blog will demonstrate the plight of a person who wanted to masticate mastic for its medicinal benefits.