It is a perennial plant that originated in Europe and Asia but currently flourishes on five different continents. Its name is derived from the distinctive spear-shaped leaves. Spearmint has a delightful sweetness to it and is widely used to flavour candies, chewing gum, mouthwash, toothpaste, and other products. This herb is frequently used to make tea, which can be brewed from fresh or dried leaves. But in addition to being delicious, this mint may also be healthy for you. Decaf spearmint tea has not undergone decaffeination procedure, unlike decaf green tea or black tea.
It is abundant in antioxidants
The advantages of spearmint tea go beyond what it doesn’t include. Antioxidants, which are substances that fight free radicals that harm your cells, almost abound in it. According to 2016 research, spearmint contains rosmarinic acid, flavones, and flavanones like limonene and menthol, as well as other antioxidants. An earlier study discovered that meat’s free radical activity was significantly reduced by spearmint extract.
But keep your expectations in check because this study used spearmint extract rather than spearmint tea. It’s not 100 percent proven. To make spearmint tea, soak dried spearmint leaves in boiling water. It’s naturally sweet and refreshing. But this caffeine-free, high in antioxidant tea also has certain advantages.
Helpful for Stomachaches
Spearmint is frequently used to treat indigestion, nausea, vomiting, and gastric discomfort.
Spearmint’s naturally occurring chemical (-)-carvone has been demonstrated to significantly suppress muscular contractions in the digestive tract, which may help to explain how this herb relieves digestive problems.
32 patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) participated in an eight-week, randomised research in which one group received a supplement containing coriander, spearmint, and lemon balm coupled with either loperamide for diarrhoea or psyllium for constipation. In comparison to those in the placebo group, those who got the supplement containing spearmint at the end of the research reported reduced bloating, discomfort, and abdominal pain.
Boost Memory
Some data suggests that this plant may assist sharpen memory. According to research, mice fed a spearmint extract had better learning and memory, as seen by their success on a labyrinth test. Previous research on people discovered that chewing gum with a mint flavour may assist enhance memory. Later investigations, however, were unable to substantiate its positive effects.
In a more recent trial, working memory in older persons with memory loss who were given daily supplements containing 900 mg of spearmint extracts improved by 15%. Because of this, there is very little but encouraging research on the advantages of this form of mint for memory, especially in elderly persons.
Struggles with Bacterial Infections
For flavouring purposes, chewing gum, breath mints, and toothpaste frequently use spearmint.
It also possesses antibacterial and antimicrobial characteristics, which can help eliminate the bacteria in your mouth that cause bad breath. Nevertheless, it does more than just make your breath smell better.
According to studies, spearmint essential oil is excellent in fighting against a variety of dangerous microorganisms. Additionally, it has been demonstrated to be effective against germs like Listeria and E. coli that cause foodborne diseases.
Reduce Blood Sugar
For diabetics, spearmint tea may help reduce blood sugar levels. Animal research have yielded encouraging results, despite the dearth of human trials on this potential benefit. In one experiment, rats received a spearmint extract daily at a dose of 9 mg/lb (20 mg/kg) of body weight.
Rats with diabetes exhibited much lower blood sugar levels than healthy rats, who appeared unaffected. Another 21-day research in diabetic rats revealed a 25% drop in blood sugar in those given this type of extract at a dose of 136 mg per pound (300 mg per kg) of body weight each day.
Decrease Stress
Tea with spearmint leaves may support stress reduction and relaxation. In fact, this tea is frequently used to relieve stress and insomnia in South American nations. A spearmint extract was proven to lessen anxiety and enhance sleep in a rat research. It is thought that spearmint interacts with GABA receptors in the brain to encourage relaxation and reduce tension. A neurotransmitter called GABA is important in lowering neuronal activity.
Conclusion
Decaf spearmint tea has not undergone decaffeination procedure, unlike decaf green tea or black tea. For diabetics, spearmint tea may help reduce blood sugar levels. Animal research have yielded positive findings, despite the dearth of human trials on this potential benefit. In one experiment, rats received a spearmint extract daily at a dose of 9 mg/lb (20 mg/kg) of body weight. Rats with diabetes exhibited much lower blood sugar levels than healthy rats, who appeared unaffected. Another 21-day trial using diabetic rats revealed a 25% reduction in blood sugar in those given this type of extract at 136 mg per pound (300 mg per kg) of body weight each day.