Mint Tea and Its Many Health Benefits
When you start thinking about losing weight, you tend to concentrate on your diet and exercise plan.
However, many people also look for external help to accelerate the weight loss process or make it easier. To this end, different varieties of teas have recently become popular.
While there are no teas or drinks that help you lose weight on their own, some plants have properties that can be useful alongside other methods. In this article, we’re going to talk about how mint tea can aid weight loss.
Mint: a medicinal and culinary plant
Mint is an aromatic plant that belongs to the genus, Mentha. The different varieties are all pretty similar and have been used culinary and medicinally since ancient times.
Peppermint is the most common variety and the easiest to find in the shops. Indeed, in any garden, or supermarket, you’ll immediately be able to identify it by its deep green color and distinctive smell. You might confuse peppermint with spearmint though, due to the fact that they’re so similar.
As a culinary ingredient, mint is used to flavor many dishes (sweet and savory) and drinks. It also stands out for its wide uses in cosmetics and natural therapies.
Mint leaves are distinguished by the presence of certain vitamins and minerals (vitamins C, A, folate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and copper). However, the amounts we use are so small that their contribution is negligible.
On the other hand, they contain volatile compounds, such as menthol and menthone, some acids, and several flavonoids. They give the plant its positive health benefits.
You also might like to read: Discover the Health Properties of Mint Tea
Mint tea to aid weight loss
Mint tea is commonly consumed to improve digestive discomfort, headaches, colds, and sinusitis.
Some of its possible actions are supported by scientific findings. However, most studies have been conducted with extracts of the plant and not mint tea.
In a review of studies on the most used plants in Palestine for treating obesity, they recognized that mint:
- Inhibits pancreatic lipase activity (which would decrease the absorption of dietary fats).
- Promotes the burning of lipids as a source of energy.
- Reduces differentiation of adipocytes (fat cells).
- Helps control appetite.
- Stimulates the metabolism.
In this study, the researchers used an extract of peppermint. So we must make it clear that the effects of mint tea may not be the same. They could also be different if other varieties of mint are used.
Other benefits of mint in the diet
As you can see, mint is highly valued for its multiple uses and properties. Some of these, although they don’t aid weight loss, can help improve certain conditions. For example, it’s said that mint:
- Reduces anxiety: This is due to the feeling of relaxation and tranquility obtained by drinking mint tea. In fact, it’s highly recommended by homeopathic doctors to calm patients in a state of anxiety. That said, the scientific support isn’t conclusive in this regard.
- Contains abundant antioxidants. Mint has the ability to fight free radicals found in the environment. Thanks to its properties, it helps prevent the onset of degenerative, cardiac, or nervous system diseases, such as hypertension.
- Is good for the digestive system. Due to the presence of menthol, mint tea is used to combat intestinal problems. It’s also useful for indigestion and stomach ache. In addition, by promoting the production of bile, it helps in the digestion of fats.
- Can reduce abdominal swelling. Another of its benefits at the intestinal level is the improvement of flatulence and abdominal bloating.
- Like water, when drunk throughout the day, mint tea stimulates urination and helps reduce fluid retention (if it exists).
You also might like to read: Tea and Infusions: What Each is Used For
Add mint to your food
Mint also has strengths on a culinary level and can help if you’re on a diet. We recommend always having fresh or dried leaves on hand and using them as a dressing on a regular basis.
This means you’ll be able to add flavor and variety to your dishes even if you’re trying to lose weight. After all, weight loss diets shouldn’t be boring or bland. Furthermore, aromatic herbs are a perfect replacement for less suitable sauces and condiments.
This plant is used often to treat intestinal problems because of the menthol it contains. It can also be used for indigestion and stomachache.
How to make mint tea
Because it’s so versatile, there are a number of ways that you can prepare mint tea. Here are a few examples:
Mint tea with orange
A fruity and flavorful tea, perfect for drinking cold in summer.
Ingredients
- An orange (only the peel is required).
- 2 tablespoons of mint leaves (30 g).
- 2 cups of hot water (500 ml).
Method
- Peel the orange to separate the peel. You only use this part of the orange, as the flesh will make your tea really bitter.
- Infuse the mint with the orange peel in the hot water for 10 minutes. Add ice to taste.
Mint tea with cardamom and honey
Combined with cardamom, this mint tea is more aromatic and also contains more digestive and anti-inflammatory properties.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of hot water (250 ml).
- 2 tablespoons of mint leaves (30 g).
- 1 tablespoon of ground cardamoms (15 g).
- Honey (to taste).
- Lemon juice (to taste).
Method
- Boil the mint leaves in the water in a small pan. Add the cardamom.
- After five minutes, strain the infusion so none of the leaves remain.
- If you like acidic flavors, you can add the juice of half a lemon. If, on the other hand, you’d prefer it to be sweeter, you can add a little honey.
Peppermint tea
Also known as Moorish tea, this is a typical recipe from Morocco, where it’s one of the most consumed drinks on a daily basis and a sign of hospitality.
In addition, in this case, the positive properties of green tea are added. Some studies suggest that this substance could promote fat burning and energy expenditure.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of green tea (30 g).
- 1/2 cup of mint leaves (100 g).
- 1 tablespoon of sugar (15 g) (optional).
- 1/2 cup of peppermint leaves.
- 4 cups of hot water (1 liter).
Method
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl except the water.
- Boil the water. Add the mixture. After 4 minutes, serve and add a few more peppermint leaves.
Some more teas to help you lose weight
Apart from mint tea, there are other types of tea that can be consumed to aid weight loss. Among the most popular are:
Cinnamon tea: The properties of cinnamon help to reduce the digestive system’s resistance to insulin and therefore reduce sugar levels. Scientific evidence also shows that three grams of cinnamon would help reduce weight and body mass index (BMI).
Red tea: Apart from its diuretic properties, Pu-Erh tea has shown positive results when taken as a weight loss supplement.
Black tea: Studies suggest that regular intake facilitates weight loss and improves the distribution of body fat. It should be noted that there’s no evidence that these results extend beyond a period of three months.
More information about teas to aid weight loss
Peppermint teas made from fresh or dried leaves appear to be safe for the general population. However, the effects of its intake over a prolonged period of time or in high doses are unknown.
For this reason, it’s recommended not to exceed two cups of mint tea a day.
On some occasions, you shouldn’t drink mint tea without consulting a doctor. For example:
- During pregnancy and lactation, as there’s no evidence that its use is safe.
- With other pharmacological treatments, since it could interact with certain medications.
- If you’re suffering from any other disease such as diabetes, kidney problems, gallstones, etc.
In the same way, the use of essential oil or plant extracts isn’t recommended without professional advice. Their application appears to be safe, but their active ingredients are much stronger and so are the possible side effects.
This advice also applies equally to the other teas we mentioned.
Finally, it should be remembered that mint is a complement to a slimming diet but not a slimming or fat-burning plant. If you want to successfully lose weight, you must implement a whole series of measures.
Try mint tea and take advantage of its possible benefits
Tea made from this well-known aromatic plant can help reduce many daily discomforts. In addition, as you’ve seen, it can be used to aid weight loss.
Finally, if you have any doubts about including mint tea in your diet, make sure you consult a professional.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
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