How Peppermint Tea Aids Weight Loss
1. Suppresses Appetite
Peppermint has a strong scent, which has been documented to reduce appetite and suppress craving. Along with that, it is also a low-calorie fitness drink. This is why people who chew on peppermint sticks or pellets all day eat little. If you have a sweet tooth, consider switching to a cup of peppermint tea to lose weight in healthy manner as it helps suppress your appetite (1).
2. Supports Digestion
Many scientific studies have recorded that peppermint tea helps settle the gastrointestinal tract and promotes healthy bowel movement. The tea has been known to ease constipation and improve digestion, and acts as perfect detox tea for better bowel movement. People suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome and dyspepsiai Another word for indigestion, it is characterized by a burning sensation, flatulence, bloating, and nausea. have found relief by having peppermint tea or peppermint oil capsules (2). Menthol, the active component of mint, exhibits antibacterial and antiseptic properties that make it a good option for improving digestion. An exercise and nutrition focused blogger shared how drinking peppermint tea has improved their health. They write, “I drink mint tea on a daily basis because it is GREAT for IBS. It is incredibly soothing for sore, bloated colons, stomach cramps, and diarrhea (i).”
3. Relieves Stress
NASA researchers have determined that stress can be reduced by the scent of peppermint. According to the study, subjects who smelled peppermint were able to decrease their anxiety and fatigue levels by 20% and frustration levels by 25%. When you are losing weight, the levels of cortisol increase and can cause stress, which leads to improper digestion. Peppermint tea, with its soothing aroma and calming effect, can help you relax and fight stress (3).
4. Burns More Calories
To lose weight, you must burn calories. If the number of calories you burn is more than the number of calories you ingest, you lose weight. The peppermint herbal tea contains trace amounts of caffeine and catechins. These chemicals increase the temperature and, in turn, speed up metabolism. This property helps peppermint tea aficionados stay in shape and be healthier than others.
5. Improves Workouts
The anti-inflammatory, vasoconstrictori A type of pressor medication that is used to help improve low blood pressure and reduce the amount of blood flow to a particular area. , and anti-spasmodic qualitiesi The property of a compound that helps reduce the excessive smooth muscle contraction, which causes abdominal cramps and pain. of peppermint make it a keen subject for many exercise endurance studies. Exercise is critical for people who wish to lose weight. The Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition conducted a study, which concluded that peppermint oil might have facilitated enhanced air ventilation and an increase in brain oxygen concentration, without the irritating effects of lactate build-up. Most of these effects can help you increase strength and endurance (4).
6. Beats Bloating
Peppermint can prevent bloating; it also helps treat other conditions of the stomach. It relaxes your abdominal muscles and increases the flow of bile, in turn improving fat digestion. This healthy beverage relaxes the gastrointestinal tract and helps ease flatulence. It has been used to treat IBS symptoms, including belly pain, flatulence, diarrhea, and bloating. Indigestion has been known to cause fatigue or discomfort sometimes. Improving your digestive health can help you burn calories as you go about your daily activities (5).
7. Regulates Cholesterol And Blood Pressure Levels
According to a study, the antioxidants present in peppermint leaves help lower cholesterol levels and decrease toxicity. The leaves also provide sustenance to digestion and intestinal health, and help lower or control cholesterol levels. Thus, peppermint tea aids weight loss and helps maintain intestinal health when you are on a diet (6). Clearly, these peppermint tea benefits improve health by targeting the root causes of weight gain and helps to initiate and accelerate weight loss. Now, let’s find out how to prepare this antioxidant-rich peppermint tea and what else we can add to it to augment weight management.
How To Prepare Peppermint Tea
Preparing mint tea is very easy. Here are the different ways to do so.
1. Peppermint Tea Using Fresh Mint Leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves or 10 whole mint leaves 1 cup water
2. Peppermint Tea Using Dried Mint Leaves
1 teaspoon dried mint leaves 1 cup water
3. Peppermint Tea Using Peppermint Oil
2-3 drops peppermint oil 1 cup water
Other Peppermint Tea Recipes
4. Peppermint And Ginger Tea
Adding peppermint leaves to ginger tea for weight loss can give you amazing results. Ginger stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes and increases gastric motility (7). Here is how you can prepare this tea.
1 teaspoon dried peppermint leaves ½ inch ginger root 1 cup water
5. Peppermint And Lemon Tea
Lemon is not only a great source of vitamin C, but it also aids weight loss by regulating the enzymes involved in the beta-oxidation of fatty acidsi The multi-step metabolic process in mitochondria that involves breaking down fatty acid molecules to release energy. . This means it helps to convert the fat into usable energy (8). Here’s how to prepare this tea.
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves ⅙ th wedge of a lemon 1 cup water
6. Peppermint And Cinnamon Tea
Ceylon cinnamon aids weight loss by increasing insulin sensitivity and lowering blood glucose levels (9). Here is how to prepare it.
1 teaspoon dried mint leaves 1 ½ inch Ceylon cinnamon stick 1 cup water
7. Peppermint And Black Pepper Tea
Black pepper contains piperine, a phytonutrient that aids weight loss by preventing fat cell proliferation and acts as a fat burner (10). Here is how you can make this delicious tea.
1 tablespoon fresh chopped mint leaves ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 cup water
8. Peppermint And Honey Tea
Honey is an excellent natural sweetener and a potential antidiabetic agent (11). It also possesses antibacterial properties (12). Follow these steps to make this tea.
1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves 1 teaspoon organic honey 1 cup water
9. Peppermint And Fenugreek Seed Tea
Fenugreek seeds inhibit fat accumulation and aid fat metabolism. Therefore, these seeds are a potential natural ingredient for weight loss ( 13). Here is how to prepare the tea.
1 teaspoon dried mint leaves 2 teaspoons fenugreek seeds 1 cup water
10. Peppermint And Turmeric Tea
Turmeric is a natural weight loss agent. Curcumin, a potent phytonutrient found in turmeric, is anti-inflammatory in nature and helps to prevent inflammation-induced obesity (14). Turmeric is also antidiabetic in nature ( 15). Here is how to prepare this tea.
1 teaspoon dried mint leaves ½ inch turmeric root 1 cup water
These are the best 10 peppermint teas that you can prepare quickly, and they will surely help you lose weight. But what is the best time to consume these? Let’s find out!
Best Time To Consume Peppermint Tea For Weight Loss
You can consume peppermint tea during breakfast, mid-morning or evening snack time, or 30 minutes before dinner. It will help suppress your appetite, increase the metabolic rate, and improve fat mobilization. Now, the next big question – is peppermint tea safe to consume for weight loss? Here’s your answer.
Is It Safe To Consume Peppermint Tea For Weight Loss?
It is safe to consume peppermint tea, but consult your doctor if you want to take it for weight loss. One also needs to follow other precautions with respect to peppermint tea. The tea must not be given to children or infants as it may cause breathing difficulties and a burning sensation in the mouth. Peppermint tea may also lead to allergic reactions like headaches, nasal congestion, cough, wheeze, and swelling (16). If you experience these signs, refrain from consuming the tea and seek immediate medical advice. People who experience acid reflux should also avoid peppermint tea. Anecdotal evidence suggests it might aggravate acid reflux and cause bloating in some individuals. The tea may also interfere with certain medications. In a study, intake of herbal tea containing peppermint, along with cyclosporin (an immunosuppressive agent), caused side effects in renal transplant patients (17). Thus, consult your doctor to determine if consuming peppermint tea is suitable for you. But is peppermint tea better than green tea? Let’s find out in the next section.
Is Peppermint Tea Better Than Green Tea For Weight Loss?
Well, peppermint tea and green tea are both scientifically proven to have anti-obesity properties. But, if you are considering drinking green tea for weight loss, the problem is that it is not palatable for many women who want to lose weight. They lose interest in green tea soon and get back to coffee, sugar, and creme. Also, flavored green teas do not yield as many results as the organic ones do. So, flavorwise, peppermint tea is the winner. It has a fresh and natural aroma that kills hunger and helps reduce the ever-growing girth of your waist. You will not get bored of it, and these recipes will inspire you to find out what else you can add to make your slimming tea more interesting and palatable. This health and wellness drink has other health benefits as well, and we will find out about them in the next section.
Other Health Benefits Of Peppermint Tea
It helps improve concentration and brain function It reduces bad breath It has antimicrobial properties Helps to reduce skin rashes and breakouts It is one of the best herbal medicines for sinusitis Drinking peppermint tea before you go to bed can help you sleep better It can also be used to treat flu, cold, nausea, and vomiting Peppermint tea helps boost your immunity and promote a healthy lifestyle.
Now, let me put forward a few precautions you need to keep in mind.
Precautions
Consult your doctor before using peppermint tea for weight loss. Do not use it if you are allergic to it or any of the ingredients mentioned in the tea recipes. Consuming too much of it can cause heartburn. So, stick to the recommended dosage.
Can you mix peppermint and green tea? Yes. Green tea is packed with beneficial antioxidants, polyphenols, and other compounds that may act as metabolism boosters (18). Is peppermint tea a laxative? Yes, it is a mild laxative. Peppermint tea helps ease congestion and improves bowel movements. Can I mix peppermint tea and coffee for weight loss? Possibly. Caffeine present in coffee may help reduce weight and overall body fat (19). Can I mix peppermint and chamomile tea for weight loss? Yes. Chamomile contains beneficial compounds such as apigenin, luteolin, and essential oils that may help reduce weight (20).
Illustration: Peppermint Tea For Weight Loss – Health Benefits And Recipes
Sip your way to better health with peppermint and ginger tea. Discover the anti-inflammatory benefits and how it can help you lose weight. Watch the video now.
