Vitacost ROOT2 Greek Chios Mastic Gum | 500 mg | 60 Capsules

Vitacost ROOT2 Greek Chios Mastic Gum provides 500 mg of mastic gum resin per capsule, with 60 vegetarian capsules per bottle. The resin comes from the mastic tree on the Greek island of Chios. This supplement is for people dealing with heartburn, bloating, belching and that heavy feeling after meals. Rather than numbing these symptoms or shutting down stomach acid, it targets a common source: an imbalanced bacterial environment in the stomach, most notably H. pylori, and a weakened stomach lining. When the stomach regains its balance, protein digestion and the absorption of minerals and vitamin B12 improve. You notice the difference in your energy and in how you feel after eating.

What Is Greek Mastic Gum?

Mastic gum is a natural resin that seeps from the bark of the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus), an evergreen shrub in the pistachio family. It grows across the Mediterranean, and the most prized variety is harvested on the Greek island of Chios, which is why it is known worldwide as Chios mastic. After it leaves the tree, the resin hardens into translucent, pale-yellow tears that are ground and encapsulated. Mastic contains active compounds, mainly triterpenoids such as masticadienonic and isomasticadienonic acid. It also contains a natural polymer called poly-beta-myrcene and volatile aromatic oils that give it its distinctive scent. Mediterranean folk medicine has used mastic for centuries for stomach comfort and oral hygiene.

Benefits of Greek Mastic Gum

• Balanced stomach bacteria: Mastic is known for its activity against H. pylori, one of the most common drivers of chronic gastritis and heartburn.
• Stomach lining support: Its compounds help protect the mucosal lining of the stomach and duodenum from irritation and support its natural renewal.
• Less bloating and belching: When unwanted bacterial activity in the stomach and upper gut calms down, there is less gas from fermenting, undigested food.
• Relief from indigestion: Mastic eases the heaviness, early fullness and discomfort that can follow meals.
• Better nutrient absorption: A healthy, properly acidic stomach is needed to absorb iron, zinc and vitamin B12, so improvements can show up as better energy and focus.
• Oral and gum health: Mastic has antibacterial properties against oral microbes and has long been tied to a clean mouth and fresh breath.
• Calmer inflammation: The triterpenoids in mastic have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity that primarily benefits the digestive tract.
• Works with your stomach, not against it: Mastic does not suppress stomach acid. It supports the stomach environment, so your digestive capacity stays intact.

How Mastic Gum Works in the Body

Many people assume heartburn means too much stomach acid. In reality, much of the heartburn and bloating people experience comes from too little acid or a disturbed stomach environment. H. pylori is a clear example. This bacterium lives in the stomach lining and releases an enzyme that neutralizes the acid around it to protect itself. The result is a less acidic stomach and poorly digested protein. Food lingers longer, ferments and builds pressure that pushes stomach contents upward. Over time, the lining becomes inflamed and loses its protective mucus.

This is where mastic comes in. Its active compounds, especially the triterpenoid acids and poly-beta-myrcene, weaken the bacteria's ability to survive and cling to the stomach wall. At the same time, they calm inflammation and protect the mucosa. Once the stomach recovers its natural acidity, it can do its core jobs again:

• breaking down protein and activating pepsin
• sterilizing incoming food
• signaling the valve between the esophagus and stomach to close
• triggering the gallbladder and pancreas to carry digestion forward

That is why stomach health reaches far beyond digestion. Stomach acid is essential for releasing vitamin B12 from food and for absorbing iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium. Shortfalls in these nutrients show up in daily life as persistent fatigue, tingling hands and feet, hair shedding, muscle cramps and poor concentration. Fixing the stomach at its root benefits the whole body.

Some factors reduce the benefit or bring the problem back:

• Excess sugar and refined starch feed unwanted bacteria and yeast.
• Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors and antacids strips the stomach of its protective acidity.
• NSAID pain relievers wear down the stomach lining.
• Chronic stress and high cortisol keep the body in fight-or-flight mode, which shuts digestion down, and poor sleep makes it worse.

On the other hand, simple habits help mastic do its job: eating calmly and chewing thoroughly, cutting back on sugar, getting enough zinc, vitamin A and vitamin C from food to support lining repair, and including fermented foods to nourish the microbiome.

What Makes This Formula Stand Out

ROOT2 by Vitacost delivers mastic as whole, unfractionated gum resin. Each capsule contains 500 mg of mastic gum, and two capsules provide 1,000 mg, the serving size on the label. The source is Greek Chios mastic from the mastic tree, the best-known and most studied variety.

The capsule shell is plant-based hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and the product is labeled Vegetarian, making it suitable for anyone avoiding animal gelatin. The other ingredients are minimal: microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide, which help the powder fill evenly. Raw mastic is a sticky resin that is hard to chew in meaningful amounts. Capsules offer a practical, consistent dose without the strong resinous taste.

Who Is This Product For?

• People with recurring heartburn or reflux after meals who want support that addresses the stomach environment rather than suppressing acid.
• Anyone who feels bloated, gassy or heavy even after small meals.
• People previously diagnosed with H. pylori who want natural support for the stomach lining, in coordination with their doctor.
• Those who have used antacids or NSAIDs for long periods and want to support the stomach mucosa.
• People with ongoing fatigue, low iron or low B12 despite a good diet, since a weak stomach may be the missing link.
• Anyone interested in oral health and fresh breath from the inside out.

How to Use

The ROOT2 Greek Chios Mastic Gum label lists a serving size of 2 capsules (1,000 mg of mastic gum) but gives no specific timing directions. For stomach support, mastic is commonly taken with a glass of water shortly before a meal. You can also split it into one capsule before each of two meals, so its compounds are already in the stomach when food arrives. If your stomach is sensitive, you can take it with food instead. Results are best when paired with supportive habits: less sugar and fast food, no late eating before bed, and calm mealtimes.

Product Details

• Active ingredient: Mastic (gum resin) from Pistacia lentiscus, 500 mg per capsule and 1,000 mg per 2 capsules.
• Source: Chios Mastic Gum, Greece.
• Form: Veggie capsule.
• Count: 60 capsules.
• Other ingredients: Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide.
• Type: Herbal supplement, vegetarian.
• Brand: ROOT2 by Vitacost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does mastic gum help with H. pylori?

Mastic is one of the best-known natural supplements associated with H. pylori. Its triterpenoid compounds weaken the bacteria's ability to persist in the stomach lining and support mucosal repair. If you have been diagnosed with H. pylori or are being treated for it, use mastic in coordination with your doctor.

Is mastic gum suitable for heartburn and reflux?

Yes. It does not neutralize acid the way antacids do. Instead, it improves the stomach environment and calms inflammation in the lining. That makes it a good fit when heartburn stems from stomach imbalance rather than excess acid.

What is the difference between mastic capsules and chewing raw mastic?

Chewing mastic tears mainly benefits the mouth and gums, and the amount swallowed is small and inconsistent. A capsule delivers a steady 500 mg of resin directly to the stomach without the strong resinous taste.

When is the best time to take mastic gum?

It is usually taken with water shortly before meals so it is present in the stomach when food arrives. If your stomach is sensitive, you can take it with food.

Caution

Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking long-term medication.