This herb is well known and used in Brazil in different recipes, both sweet and savory, and in drinks. Now, it seems that they have discovered another advantage of the plant: in addition to refreshing the palate, the mint It can be a great ally for memory.
According to experts at the Mayo Clinic, it is capable of stimulating the brain, helping to improve memory and concentration. But of course it doesn't stop there: the plant brings other health benefits:
THE BENEFITS OF MINT
To begin with, it is worth remembering that mint leaves are quite nutritious in themselves: they contain magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc and selenium, as well as important antioxidants such as flavonoids. The star of the show, however, is menthol, one of the main compounds in the mint leaf and which contains most of the plant's benefits.
Oh, and an important point: if you are sensitive to caffeine, peppermint tea is a perfect drink to drink before bed. It is free of the stimulant compound, which means it does not disrupt your sleep and helps the body to slow down.
Let's go to the other benefits?
1
May reduce the chances of chronic diseases
You probably already know that antioxidants are very important in combating chronic diseases, especially those related to the heart. These compounds fight free radicals, which generate changes in cellular functioning, causing oxidative stress.
Over time, the accumulation of this stress can cause diseases such as cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes and other heart diseases, according to a study published in Frontiers of Physiology. By drinking mint tea and maintaining a diet rich in antioxidants, you can reverse and delay this process, avoiding chronic diseases.
2
Improves digestion
If you need help digesting food, know: mint tea is a great ally. Mint is known to calm the stomach muscles, improving the flow of bile, which the body uses to digest fats.
This means that food and gases will pass through the digestive system more quickly, improving stomach discomfort. Not only that, but mint also works great to combat the symptoms of nausea, which can be a consequence of inflammation caused by poor digestion in the stomach.
3
Improves pain
As previously mentioned, one of the main functions of mint is to calm the muscles, which also helps if you deal with or are dealing with pain. Menthol helps with muscle spasms that can alleviate symptoms of uterine contractions or colic, for example.
Drinking mint tea can also help with this, because it has analgesic properties, blocking signals from the nervous system to the brain – the result? A perfect ally for pain caused by menstruation, headaches and other discomforts.
4
Improves nasal congestion
Another advantage of mint tea is its ability to improve nasal congestion. Menthol is a decongestant and thins mucus. This means that it helps to free the passage of air through the nostrils, in addition to relieving inflammation in the throat.
Even breathe vThe amount released by mint tea can help decongest the nose. Interesting, right?!
