Is Mint Tea Healthy?
Mint tea, an age-old favorite. But is this sweet drink really healthy? Or can it also be unhealthy? Dive into our article for answers.
Is mint tea healthy?
Have you always wondered: ‘Is mint tea healthy?’ Of course! Let’s be clear right away. Traditional Moroccan tea is less healthy. This is packed with sugar, so the disadvantages no longer outweigh the advantages. No, unfortunately honey is not a healthy choice either. This is the healthiest choice!
Mint tea can be an excellent choice for staying hydrated and can also help you feel full. But what exactly are all the health benefits of mint tea? If you’re curious, you don’t have to wait any longer. Read on and discover more.
What is mint tea?
Did you know that mint tea is not actually tea at all? We colloquially call these types of drinks ‘tea’, but tea is actually a drink made from the leaves of a tea plant.
Mint tea is an infusion of the herb mint. It is made by steeping fresh mint leaves in hot water. Originally, mint only grew in countries around the Mediterranean Sea, but nowadays it is also grown in Dutch greenhouses. There are different types of mint, such as Moroccan mint, which has a more pronounced and pure taste.
Mint is a perennial plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. The herb is very popular because of its wonderfully fresh taste and strong smell. In addition to making mint tea, mint is also used in vegetable and fruit dishes.
When buying mint, it is important to make sure that the leaves are green and fresh. If the leaves have yellow edges, it is not a good mint.
What is the nutritional value of mint tea?
Mint tea without sugar contains no calories.
What nutrients does mint tea contain?
The amount of nutrients in mint tea is negligible. 10 mint leaves contain the following nutrients:
- 3 mg potassium
- 2 mg calcium
- 1 mg magnesium
- 0.1 mg iron
- 1 µg vitamin A
- 0.1 mg vitamin E
- 1 µg folic acid
- 1 mg phosphorus
Only a small portion of the nutrients in mint end up in your tea. This means you get almost no benefit from these nutrients.
What are the health benefits of mint tea?
Okay, so now you know what mint tea is and that it is healthy, but what health benefits does it actually have? Here are some benefits you might find interesting.
Packed with antioxidants
Mint is full of antioxidants, which can protect us against damage to tissues and cells. Antioxidants scavenge free radicals, which are caused by normal body processes and external factors (such as sunlight and smoking). In the long term, this damage can lead to chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease.
It can contribute to good sleep quality
A major advantage of mint tea is that it is naturally caffeine-free. Other types of tea such as green tea and black tea do contain caffeine. This can cause sleeping problems. People who are sensitive to caffeine especially suffer from this. Chamomile tea, like fresh mint tea, does not contain caffeine.
You can safely drink mint tea in the evening without it disturbing your good night’s sleep. It can even help you sleep better. For example, mint may cause your muscles to relax, which has a positive effect on your sleep quality. More research needs to be done on this.
It is said to reduce stomach and intestinal problems
Mint contains the natural substance carvone, which can be good for digestion. Research shows that this substance can inhibit muscle contractions (contraction of muscles) in the digestive tract. This is probably the reason that mint tea can reduce complaints of stomach and intestinal problems.
In a study among 32 subjects with irritable bowel syndrome, mint also seemed to have positive effects on reducing symptoms. Irritable bowel syndrome is a collective name for stomach and intestinal complaints. However, these subjects not only consumed mint, but also other foods such as fiber and lemon balm.
The test subjects indicated that it does indeed have a soothing effect. The fresh mint reduced complaints such as bloating, among other things. The test subjects were also less likely to feel nauseous.
In addition, mint appears to be able to reduce complaints such as nausea and vomiting in people treated with chemotherapy. However, more research needs to be done on these effects. It cannot be ruled out whether the effects are due to the different diet.
It can potentially lower blood pressure
The substance calvone in mint may lower blood pressure because it works in the same way as calcium channel blockers. This is a medication used to lower high blood pressure. In fact, in an animal study, carvone appears to be 100 times more powerful than this blood pressure drug.
It provides a fresh feeling in your mouth
It is not without reason that mint is used in products such as mouthwash, toothpaste and chewing gum. It provides a fresh feeling. So, for example, if you smell like garlic and you can’t brush your teeth, chew a mint leaf.
It would make for a better memory
Various studies show evidence that mint can improve your memory. This has been shown, for example, in a study among rats that were given a mint extract. This improved their memory and learning ability.
Also in a study among older people, memory improved by 15% by taking a daily supplement with 900 mg of mint extract. Further research must show whether this effect applies to everyone.
It may possibly improve fertility
Several small studies show evidence that mint tea has positive effects on women’s fertility. Mint tea caused a reduction in the male hormone testosterone. At the same time, there was an increase in hormones that are important for ovulation, such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol and luteinizing hormone (LH).
In a study in rats, mint essential oils increased the number of viable eggs in the rats’ ovaries.
All studies were conducted with few subjects or on rats, meaning more research needs to be conducted first.
It may possibly reduce menstrual complaints
Good news for people who menstruate! Herbal teas such as mint tea, chamomile tea and peppermint tea can relieve menstrual symptoms in some people. This does not apply to regular tea.
Unfortunately, not many scientific studies have been done on this yet, but many people do experience this effect in practice. Do you suffer a lot from menstrual pain? Then mint tea is definitely worth a try!
Fresh mint tea is also recommended for colds. It would also immediately reduce stress and have a very soothing effect, due to reduced production of the stress hormone cortisol. More research also needs to be conducted into these positive effects.
RESUME
Mint tea is packed with antioxidants, which can protect our body. Because it contains no calories, it is a good substitute for energy-containing drinks. Mint tea can help you maintain or even lose weight. This means you have a lower risk of various diseases, such as cardiovascular disease.
When is mint tea not good for men?
Now you know many of the benefits of mint tea, but you may be wondering, “Is there a time when mint tea is not so good, for example for men?” Let’s take a look at that
Small studies among women have shown that mint may lower the hormone testosterone. This can have adverse effects for men. Low testosterone levels in men can cause several negative health effects, such as decreased libido, hair loss, decrease in muscle mass and possible fertility problems [13]. This is a small study and was not conducted among men. So, further research should show whether this is really the case.
Are you male? Then do not drink mint tea excessively. However, this effect will not occur quickly if men occasionally drink a glass of mint tea. But better be safe than sorry.
Is mint tea with honey healthy?
We all know that honey is tasty, but is mint tea with honey also healthy? It all depends on how much honey you use.
If you use honey you will quickly consume a lot of sugar. If you already consume a lot of sugar from other foods, it is better to avoid honey. Consuming too much sugar is bad for your teeth and you have a greater chance of becoming overweight.
Do you get almost no sugar from other foods? Then a little bit of honey won’t hurt. However, it has no additional health benefits compared to mint tea without honey.
Can you lose weight with mint tea?
So, does mint tea help you lose weight? While it’s not a magical weight loss drink, it can help you in a number of ways.
Drinking it can help prevent you from reaching for something sweet. It is also a healthier alternative to sugar-containing drinks. You can read all about this in our article about mint tea and losing weight. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the calories!
How much mint tea per day?
How much mint tea should you actually drink in a day to get the most out of the benefits? The amount of mint tea the subjects drank differs per study. We recommend one to two glasses of mint tea.
This way you can still vary with other healthy choices in terms of drinks, such as water, other types of tea and coffee (without sugar and honey). Don’t just drink mint tea, but also vary with other teas such as chamomile tea and green tea. This way you can easily get those two liters of fluid per day.
Is mint tea dangerous?
You may be wondering, “Is it possible that mint tea is dangerous?” In principle, it is safe to drink mint tea, but there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Mint tea can be potentially dangerous due to its blood pressure lowering effect. People who use medication to lower their blood pressure should be extra careful. However, with normal use of mint tea it is not dangerous.
Conclusion
A cup of mint tea fits well in a healthy and varied diet. Unfortunately, mint tea does not make fat disappear like snow in the sun. If you drink mint tea (without sugar or honey) instead of drinks with calories, it can help you lose weight. This way you can easily consume fewer calories.
