mastic gum – Ancient Greeks chewed mastic for stomach upset, and research on concentrated mastic extracts suggests possible effects in certain gastrointestinal and metabolic conditions. But when people actually chew the gum, evidence of gut and metabolic benefits remains l
On the Aegean island of Chios, ancient Greeks gnawed dried sap from the mastic tree to settle stomach upset. Hippocrates, the Greek philosopher and physician, even used the resin as an herbal remedy for gastrointestinal disorders.
Fast-forward thousands of years and a new ritual has taken over social media: people are promoting mastic chewing gum as a gut-and-oral health booster. and some creators go further—claiming it can “chisel the jawline.” The problem is simple: the science doesn’t back the jaw-shaping story. and experts warn that chewing mastic gum is not risk-free.
Modern mastic gum products often include added ingredients such as spearmint for flavor and calcium to boost enamel. promising benefits that buyers connect to traditional uses. Yet even as researchers have studied mastic compounds. they’ve mostly tested concentrated plant extracts rather than asking people to chew the gum itself.
Some plant compounds found in the mastic tree have well-documented antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Research indicates these compounds may fight the ulcer-causing bacteria Helicobacter pylori and ease symptoms of Crohn’s disease. irritable bowel syndrome and dyspepsia—a type of chronic indigestion. The compounds have also been shown to reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
But the jump from compounds and extracts to chewing gum is where the evidence thins. Few studies have actually involved people chewing mastic gum. Participants typically took oil or powder supplements of concentrated plant extracts. “In gastrointestinal and metabolic conditions. chewing mastic gum does not have considerable efficacy. ” says pharmacologist Roja Rahimi of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran.
What Rahimi and other clinicians appear more comfortable with is a different set of claims—focused on the mouth. A review published in 2023 in the Journal of Natural Medicines found that chewing mastic may offer oral health benefits such as reducing plaque buildup. helping prevent cavities and gum disease. and potentially fighting oral cancer. The review points to clinical research suggesting mastic compounds can limit the spread of cancerous cells and trigger their death.
Even breath-related claims have some footing. In 2025, researchers reported in the Journal of Breath Research that teenagers who used mastic toothpaste three times a day for two weeks lowered breath levels of stinky hydrogen sulfide, a byproduct of bacterial fermentation.
The aesthetic claims—however—move faster than the evidence. Three out of five major mastic gum brands marketing on TikTok push the jaw-sharpening angle. But orofacial medicine specialist Anette Vistoso of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles says there’s no research to back these claims.
And there’s an extra reason to be cautious about the “more chewing” message: even if the goal is cosmetic. the consequences can be physical. Chewing firm gum can strengthen jaw muscles “too much,” Vistoso says. She has seen many gum-chomping patients develop jaw pain or clench so strongly that they grind through a night guard. Vistoso doesn’t recommend chewing any sort of gum.
Research on face shape is scarce, but one study suggests no benefit. A study in Korea reported in 2024 in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation found that chewing typical gum three times a day for six months had no effect on the appearance of the jawline.
So what does that leave people who are interested in mastic for real-world reasons—beyond the algorithm?. Rahimi says that if someone is looking for gut and metabolic effects. they should ask their doctor about oil or powder capsules. She also draws a firm line for healthy individuals: “I do not recommend long-term use of herbal medicines for healthy individuals. The best strategy for them is lifestyle modification and eating healthy foods,” Rahimi says. “However, in people who suffer from bad breath, dental and gingival problems, chewing mastic gum may help.”.
That distinction matters, because it reframes what mastic gum can realistically do. It isn’t a jaw-chiseling shortcut. And while the mouth might be where benefits are most plausible. chewing anything hard and repetitive can come with a very human cost—pain. clenching. and damaged teeth-protection habits that show up long after the hype has moved on.
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