Current:Home > NewsIs mint tea good for you? Health benefits of peppermint tea, explained.-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Is mint tea good for you? Health benefits of peppermint tea, explained.
View Date:2024-12-23 19:59:40
How do you take your tea? With cream, sugar, honey? How about salt?
That’s what chemistry professor Michelle Francl suggested to neutralize bitterness in her book “Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea.” A tea controversy ignighted over social media that was reminiscent of the Boston Tea Party – if only because both the U.S. Embassy in London and British company, Yorkshire Tea, got into it (all in good fun) on X.
Despite the recent brouhaha, perhaps the one thing we can agree on is tea drinking is very personal. Some people drink black tea, while others prefer herbal; some prefer one cube of sugar while others honey.
But if you’re a peppermint tea fan, we've got you covered. Here are all the health benefits to know.
Is peppermint tea good for you?
Yes. Tea in general is healthy – it’s an easy way to boost hydration and is packed with antioxidants. Tea contains polyphenol compounds, which have antioxidant properties, registered dietitian Danielle Crumble Smith previously told USA TODAY. Studies show the antioxidants found in teas may be able to prevent and treat diseases like cardiovascular disease and have anti-aging and anti-diabetic effects.
But each tea offers unique health benefits.
Peppermint tea benefits
Peppermint tea is known for soothing the stomach and promoting regular bowel movements, Crumble Smith says.
A 2021 study published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine found peppermint oil reduced the frequency and severity of nausea and vomiting for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Other animal studies suggest peppermint tea may be able to relax gastrointestinal tissues. Peppermint calms stomach muscles and improves the flow of bile, according to Mount Sinai Health Systems.
According to a 2019 study examining the effects of aromatherapy, smelling peppermint may also lessen anxiety. Other studies show peppermint tea can relieve migraines, headaches, muscle spasms and menstrual cramps.
However, Mount Sinai advises individuals with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or a hiatal hernia to avoid peppermint tea. Peppermint may worsen symptoms of heartburn and indigestion because it relaxes the muscle between the stomach and esophagus and allows stomach acids back up into the esophagus.
Does peppermint tea have caffeine?
No, peppermint tea is naturally caffeine-free. If you’re looking for an energy boost, try black tea, which has about half the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee at 47 milligrams, or green tea, which has 28 milligrams in an 8-ounce cup.
But even if it doesn’t have caffeine, peppermint tea may be able to sharpen your alertness and memory. Crumble Smith points to one study where college students who drank peppermint tea before a cognitive assessment experienced increased alertness and memory skills.
What is the healthiest tea?:Health benefits of black, herbal and more
Just Curious for more? We've got you covered.
USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "Is black tea good for you?" to "How is the healthiest diet?" to "How long does food poisoning last?" – we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer for you.
veryGood! (44)
Related
- It's cozy gaming season! Video game updates you may have missed, including Stardew Valley
- Catfish Host Nev Schulman Shares He Broke His Neck in a Bike Accident
- Millie Bobby Brown Includes Nod to Jake Bongiovi Marriage on Stranger Things Set
- Samsung recalls a million stoves after humans, pets accidentally activate them
- Elon Musk says 'SNL' is 'so mad' Trump won as he slams Dana Carvey's impression
- Dozens of pregnant women, some bleeding or in labor, being turned away from ERs despite federal law
- Miley Cyrus Breaks Down in Tears While Being Honored at Disney Legends Ceremony
- The timeline of how the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, unfolded, according to a federal report
- Voters in Oakland oust Mayor Sheng Thao just 2 years into her term
- A’ja Wilson, US women hold off France to win eighth straight Olympic basketball gold medal
Ranking
- Beyoncé nominated for album of the year at Grammys — again. Will she finally win?
- Isaac Hayes' family demands Trump stop using his song at rallies, $3M in fees
- Sifan Hassan wins women’s marathon at Paris Olympics after trading elbows with Tigst Assefa
- UNC women's soccer coach Anson Dorrance, who won 21 NCAA titles, retires
- Sofia Richie Reveals 5-Month-Old Daughter Eloise Has a Real Phone
- Who is Yseult? French singer steals hearts to cap off Paris Olympics closing ceremony
- Debby’s aftermath leaves thousands in the dark; threatens more flooding in the Carolinas
- 10 brightest US track and field stars from 2024 Paris Olympics
Recommendation
-
Deion Sanders addresses trash thrown at team during Colorado's big win at Texas Tech
-
Who will be on 2028 Olympic women's basketball team? Caitlin Clark expected to make debut
-
Harris is pushing joy. Trump paints a darker picture. Will mismatched moods matter?
-
Robert Tucker, the head of a security firm, is named fire commissioner of New York City
-
Are banks, post offices, UPS and FedEx open on Veterans Day? Here's what to know
-
Ana Barbosu Breaks Silence After Her Appeal Leads Jordan Chiles to Lose Her Olympic Bronze Medal
-
The US Navy’s warship production is in its worst state in 25 years. What’s behind it?
-
Schumer says he will work to block any effort in the Senate to significantly cut the CDC’s budget