Spearmint is an herb commonly used in infusion products like chewing gum, essential oil, mints, perfumes, and teas. The mint flavor is tasty and freshens breath. It’s also incorporated into many dishes around the world, including main dishes, sauces, and desserts.
But in addition to the minty flavor, spearmint tea has several properties that contribute to our health.
As with any herbal tea, spearmint tea hydrates your body and offers a more exciting alternative to water. Staying hydrated can improve your sleep quality, cognition, and mood. Drinking enough water also helps your body carry out necessary functions such as:
- Regulating body temperature
- Lubricating joints
- Preventing infections
- Delivering nutrients to cells
- Maintaining organ functionality
Because spearmint tea doesn’t contain caffeine, it’s a good option if you have a sensitivity to caffeine.
Research shows that spearmint contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help prevent free radicals from causing damage to your cells that can lead to serious diseases such as cancer.
Research supports some health benefits associated with drinking spearmint tea; however, additional research into some of its properties is required.
Nutrition Information
Here’s a look at the nutrition facts for one cup of herbal tea, brewed:
- Calories: 2
- Total fat: 0 grams
- Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
- Sodium: 2 milligrams
- Total carbohydrates: 0 grams
- Sugars: 0 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
There are very few calories in spearmint and other herbal teas, and no fat, making tea a healthy drink to sip morning or night.
The following minerals and nutrients are found in spearmint tea:
- Antioxidants
- Vitamin C
- Flavones and flavanones
- Iron
- Limonene
- Dihydrocarvone
- Cineol
- Folate
Although present, these nutrients and minerals are found in incredibly low concentrations in spearmint tea. The dehydration process necessary to make spearmint tea leaves and the boiling water used to make a cup of tea remove significant amounts of nutrients.
Potential Health Benefits of Spearmint Tea
Spearmint tea is known to help improve memory, digestion, and relaxation. However, more research is required to understand the full health benefits of spearmint tea. Here are several ways in which spearmint tea is thought to contribute to human health, based on early research.
Lower Blood Pressure
Spearmint contains the compound (-)-carvone. Studies have shown that this compound behaves in ways similar to ingredients found in high blood pressure medication. One study on animals that showed that (-)-carvone reduces blood vessel contractions, though it may be too soon to tell if the same would be found in humans.
Help with Digestive Issues
Spearmint may also contribute to a healthier stomach and alleviate symptoms like nausea. Spearmint tea may be able to help your stomach muscles relax, helping these and other digestive problems subside.
Improved Memory
Spearmint tea may also help improve your memory. One study showed that older people with memory issues who were given daily spearmint extract supplements saw a 15 % improvement in their memory.
Lower Blood Sugar
There may also be properties in spearmint tea that lower blood sugar and help people who have diabetes maintain their health. While no extensive study has been done on humans to investigate these benefits, studies on rats with diabetes have shown lower blood sugar levels when given spearmint.
Antioxidant-Related Benefits
Spearmint has been found to have high antioxidant properties. Antioxidants provide many health benefits to humans. They have been associated with reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses.
Potential Risks of Spearmint Tea
It’s important to remember that many of the health benefits linked to spearmint tea are still in the early stages of testing. There are currently minimal risks associated with drinking spearmint tea, especially when consumed in moderation as part of a healthy diet.
Acid Reflux
It’s recommended that people who suffer from gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) don’t consume spearmint. This is because spearmint is thought to relax the sphincter between the esophagus and stomach which can cause acid reflux and heartburn. However, there is conflicting information available on the effects of spearmint on heartburn. One study found that spearmint does not affect the lower esophageal sphincter function.
