Mastic gum is a special resin that comes from a tree called Pistacia lentiscus. This tree grows in a place called the Mediterranean, especially on a Greek island called Chios. People have been using mastic gum for a really long time because it's good for our bodies.
To get mastic gum, they make cuts in the tree's bark, and then a yellowish resin comes out and hardens into little tears. They collect these tears and clean them up to make mastic gum.
Mastic gum is famous for helping our tummies and our mouths. When we eat, sometimes our tummies feel funny and we get bloated. Mastic gum can make those feelings go away and also help with stomach ulcers. It has special powers that can fight bad bacteria and reduce inflammation in our tummies.
Not only that, mastic gum is great for our teeth and gums too. It can make our breath fresh and our gums healthy. It fights the germs that can make our teeth have holes or make our gums sick.
Mastic gum has other superpowers too. It has things called antioxidants and anti-inflammatory stuff that can help keep our bodies strong and healthy. Scientists are studying mastic gum to see if it can help our hearts, our skin, and even fight cancer.
So, mastic gum is a cool resin that comes from a special tree. It's good for our tummies, mouths, and maybe even more. People have been using it for a very long time, and scientists are still discovering new things about it.
