Did you know there are health benefits of mint green tea?
Everyone wants to feel their best so they can enjoy life, be happy, and live longer. High healthcare costs can be an extra incentive to stay in the best shape possible. Therefore, in addition to a nutritious diet and regular exercise, many people look for natural ways to maintain good health.
A popular choice for many is drinking herbal teas; for example, mint green tea and peppermint tea have several health benefits.
Health Benefits of Mint
You’ll find mint in several varieties, including peppermint, spearmint, and even orange mint. The leaves from these different plants offer several health benefits, and many use the leaves to make herbal teas. You can also get certain benefits from using mint essential oils.
The potential benefits of mint include:
- High in Vitamin A and Other Nutrients
- Helps Relieve Gastrointestinal Issues (although it’s advisable to avoid peppermint if you deal with acid reflux or heartburn)
- Improves Memory
- Reduces Stress
- Provides Congestion Relief
- Improves Bad Breath
- Aids Weight Loss
- Relieves Headaches
- Improves Nausea
Health Benefits of Mint Green Tea
A popular way to consume mint leaves is to drink mint-infused green tea. You can purchase mint tea or make your own loose leaf tea with mint leaves from your garden. Simply tear fresh leaves or crush dried leaves and put them into your teapot or infuser.
Here’s a closer look at how incorporating this minty beverage into your diet might improve your health.
High in Vitamin A and Other Nutrients
Spearmint leaves and peppermint both feature an impressive assortment of nutrients that are a great addition to a healthy diet. Therefore, drinking mint tea can help you add these essential nutrients, making it easier for you to reap the benefits.
For example, one ounce (two tablespoons) of fresh spearmint contains 462 IU of Vitamin A.
On average, women consuming one ounce of fresh spearmint would get 1/5th of their recommended daily intake of Vitamin A. Eating a variety of foods rich in Vitamin A can potentially help with eye health, immune system support, and reducing the risk of certain cancers.
Helps Relieve Gastrointestinal Issues
Mint can help relieve upset stomach and certain other digestive issues. For example, peppermint oil contains menthol, and a small study suggests it can relax the digestive tract and relieve IBS symptoms.
If you have an irritable digestive system, you can appreciate any or all herbal remedies. However, a cup of fresh peppermint tea might aggravate acid reflux and heartburn, so avoid it if you deal with these issues.
Improves Memory
Peppermint and green tea could help you remember that upcoming special birthday. They have compounds that could potentially help stimulate neurotransmitters in the brain, which can improve your memory.
Reduces Stress
Green tea contains theanine, which many people use to help relieve anxiety and tension. Sipping mint green tea can help you relax, so grab a cup when things are getting a bit hectic.
Provides Congestion Relief
Breathing in mint’s refreshing aroma and a steamy cup of tea is just the right combo for a stuffed-up nose. Of course, you don’t want to toss your medicine, but mint tea can be a great addition to your pantry during cold and flu season.
Improves Bad Breath
This one might seem obvious; after all, reaching for a mint when your breath is less than fresh is a natural go-to. But, drinking mint green tea can have a similar effect. It’s also believed that green tea possesses anti-bacterial properties that can wipe out nasties that could cause bad breath. Don’t drink it as a remedy to poor oral health, but you could consider it to be like liquid breath mints!
Aids Weight Loss
Incorporating green tea into your daily diet can aid with weight loss efforts in several ways. Mint might help improve digestion, and the caffeine in green tea could be a metabolism booster. Plus, sipping green tea means you’re not munching on cookies and chips.
Relieves Headaches
Many people suggest drinking green tea to help relieve a headache. This could be because of the caffeine in green tea (about 30 to 50 mg in one cup). Caffeine is often an ingredient in various migraine medicines.
Improves Nausea
Drinking mint tea could help alleviate nausea, relax the digestive tract muscles, and soothe the stomach. If you plan to drink it to settle unpleasant queasiness, make sure to sip it slowly.
Health Benefits of Peppermint Tea
Oh, the joy of sipping on a hot cup of peppermint tea. It’s wonderful; isn’t it?
Whether it’s loose leaf teas or adding peppermint leaves to your iced tea, there are several peppermint tea benefits for your overall health.
Drinking peppermint tea might help:
- Relieve Headaches
- Ease Menstrual Cramps
- Sooth sore throat
- Help a Stuffy Nose
- Work as a Sleep Aid
- Boost Energy
- Improve Concentration
Might Provide Headache Relief
Peppermint tea is another option, similar to mint green tea, that can help ease headache tension. The menthol in peppermint could help with headaches when you apply peppermint oil to the forehead. Many people believe drinking peppermint tea could also have the same effect on your physical and mental health.
Could Help Relieve Menstrual Cramps
Some people have found relief from cramps by taking peppermint oil capsules. Some local grocery stores carry peppermint capsules or essential oils from a peppermint plant. Both are safe to ingest.
Sipping on a steamy cup of peppermint tea might also provide relief from painful menstrual cramps.
Your Stuffy Nose
Although peppermint tea isn’t a decongestant, it seems drinking it could offer some relief from congestion. It could also be the steam from the hot tea playing a role in easing your stuffy nose.
Can Help You Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Drinking a cup of hot tea before bed is a good way to relax, which can help prepare your body for sleep. Just make sure not to drink it right before bed, so you don’t have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
Could Give You an Energy Boost
Who couldn’t use some extra energy these days? Some studies suggest that peppermint might help reduce fatigue. These studies weren’t on peppermint tea specifically, but drinking a cup could give you a much-needed boost.
May Improve Your Concentration
Studies involving peppermint oil capsules suggest that peppermint could help people focus and concentrate. Therefore, the theory is that consuming peppermint in tea could have similar benefits. Since drinking mint tea also can help improve memory, having a cup of peppermint tea before your next test or an important meeting might be a good idea.
Benefits of Green Tea
Adding green tea to your daily routine could possibly reduce your risk of certain diseases, including some cancers. Adding green tea leaves to your cup of hot water can help keep your weight loss goals on track.
May Help Prevent Type II Diabetes
Type II Diabetes stems from having elevated blood sugar levels, most likely from issues with insulin regulation.
Several studies have suggested links between drinking green tea and a reduction in Type II Diabetes. For example, one study suggests that drinking green tea could reduce blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.
May Help Prevent Cardiovascular Disease
Some of the benefits of green tea, such as being a great source of antioxidants, also can help improve heart health. Green tea could also lower LDL cholesterol (or bad cholesterol).
High cholesterol is a leading factor in heart disease, so if green tea can help improve your cholesterol, it could reduce your risk for one of the deadliest diseases in the world.
Antioxidants Could Help Reduce the Risk of Certain Cancers
Although more research is necessary, it’s believed there is a link between drinking green tea and a reduction in some cancers. Cancer results from the rapid, uncontrolled growth of cells in the body.
Green tea is packed with antioxidants that help balance free radicals that could lead to cancer.
May Help Reduce the Effects Aging Has on Brain Function
In addition to possibly helping improve memory and concentration, drinking green tea might also protect your brain from aging.
Drinking green tea might help give you extra protection against developing Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease.
Drinking Tea Might Help You Lose Weight
The caffeine in green tea can boost your metabolism, helping burn fat. It’s also a great way to help you feel full, so you don’t reach for unhealthy snacks. There are even studies that suggest green tea could change your body composition by reducing body fat.
Do you have enough reasons yet to add a cup of mint green tea to your day? Or maybe you’re already an avid herbal tea drinker and find it helps you live a healthier life. What potential benefits of drinking mint green tea are you most interested in? Share in the comments!
Before you go, here’s a few posts you’ll enjoy:
How to Make DIY Oregano Oil (Benefits and Uses)
The Best Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent
15 Best Vitamin C Shower Filters