How Peppermint Tea Aids Weight Loss
1. Suppresses Appetite
Peppermint has a strong scent, which has been documented to reduce appetite and suppress craving. 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 a healthy manner (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. People suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome and dyspepsia 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.
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. Peppermint 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, vasoconstrictor, and anti-spasmodic qualities 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. Peppermint 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). It is clear from the above points that peppermint tea targets the root causes of weight gain and helps to initiate and accelerate weight loss. Now, let’s find out how to prepare peppermint tea and what else we can add to it to augment weight loss.
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
Peppermint and ginger tea is an amazing concoction for weight loss. 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 acids. 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 (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. Don’t have it if you suffer from acid reflux. Peppermint tea should also not be given to children or infants. So, is peppermint tea better than green tea? Let’s find out in the next section.
Is Peppermint Tea Better Better Than Green Tea For Weight Loss?
Well, peppermint tea and green tea are both scientifically proven to have anti-obesity properties. But, the problem with green tea 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 can you add to make your weight loss tea more interesting and palatable. There are also other health benefits of peppermint tea, 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 to boost your immunity
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 help boost metabolism (16). 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 (17). 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 (18).
