Effects of Chios mastic gum and exercise on physical characteristics, blood lipid markers, insulin resistance, and hepatic function in healthy Japanese men

The effects of Chios mastic gum (Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia) and exercise on physical characteristics, blood lipid markers, insulin resistance, and hepatic function were investigated in healthy, non-smoking Japanese men aged ≥ 40 years. Participants were allocated to control (C, 5 g/day placebo powder, n = 7), mastic (M, 5 g/day mastic powder, n = 7), or mastic plus physical activity groups (M + PA, 5 g/day mastic powder and 30-min exercise three times/week, n = 7), and measurements were taken at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Serum triglycerides were significantly reduced at 3 months in M and M + PA compared with C (P < 0.05). Serum insulin and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance values were significantly reduced at 3 and 6 months in M + PA, and at 6 months in M, compared with C (P < 0.05). These results indicate that Chios mastic gum intake for 6 months reduced serum triglyceride and insulin concentrations, and additional exercise enhanced the effect on insulin.