17 Scientific Health Benefits of Spearmint Leaves (No.12 is On Point!)

Spearmint or known as Mentha spicata as its scientific name is the species of mint which has the pleasant smell. This species has been used for the toothpaste, cosmetics, mouthwashes, and is valuable to be natural medications. Moreover, it has the good aroma which is similar to the peppermint, yet, it contains less menthol than peppermint and has a sweeter taste. Further, spearmint has the pointed leaves like spears with the length between 5-9 centimeters long and 1.5-3 centimeters wide.

The leaves of spearmint have been used for health products caused by the presence of vital nutrients in it. It can be consumed as a fresh one or used as an essential oil. For instance, people use spearmint to deal with nausea, cramps, and sore throat. Indeed, you can use spearmint leaves as it offers you the healing properties.
Furthermore, check the nutritional profile below to know the detailed information of spearmint leaves.
Nutritional Profile

Information	Amount per 100g
Calories	44
Carbohydrates	8.41 g
Fat	0.73 g
Protein	3.29 g
Iron	11.87 mg
Manganese	1.118 mg
Copper	0.240 mg
Potassium	458 mg
Riboflavin	0.175 mg
Pyridoxine	0.158 mg
Vitamin C	13.3 mg
Pantothenic acid	0.061 mg
Vitamin B6	0.041 mg
Folate	3 μg

As the consequence, there are more health benefits of spearmint that you should know about, then if you are curious about what are they, kindly read the following statements below.

1. Improves Digestion System

Spearmint leaves have shown the positive result in improving the work of digestion system. This kind of leaves is beneficial to prevent nausea, vomiting, and morning sickness. Even, spearmint leaves can prevent the presence of gastrointestinal issues.

2. Low in Calories

It is a good news for those who do diet but still want to consume the spearmint leaves. As spearmint contains low calories or about 43 calories per 100 grams intake, then it is good for you who want to manage the body weight. Indeed, you do not need any worries to consume spearmint leaves as they provide no calories in it.

3. Acts as Antibacterial

As have explained before, spearmint has been used for the toothpaste and mouthwashes. Thus, this benefit shows the great result in keeping the breath smelling good. Moreover, the antibacterial compounds in spearmint will help you to prevent the bad breath smelling and protect the mouth from infections. Indeed, spearmint leaves have a role in preventing damage dental and gum health. Then, if you want to have a healthy smile, have the spearmint leaves as your favorite choice!

4. Source of Iron

It is known that the iron contained in spearmint leaves help to stimulate the production of red blood cells and hemoglobin. This benefit is really great as it will also help to prevent the presence of anemia. Also, if you want to fulfill the iron needs in your body, you can consume chicken liver, clams, oyster, and sardines as well.

Related: Health Benefits of Iron

5. Source of Vitamin C

Due to the presence of the good amount of vitamin C in spearmint leaves, thus it will help you to protect against cardiovascular disease, eye disease, and other certain health problems. Indeed, by consuming vitamin C foods, you have succeeded to add the most effective nutrients in the body. At this point, you can also consume berries to fulfill the needs of vitamin C nutrients in the body.

6. Good in Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates take part in maintaining our body healthy by providing us with the energy, helping gastrointestinal function, and helping cellular recognition processes as well. In fact, every time we eat food like bread and some fruits, then we have added the carbs to the body. As a result, to keep your body safe from the risks of diabetes due to the presence of sugar in carbs, you can consume simple sugar as the choice. Indeed, you can consume fruits and dairy products as your food option including the spearmint leaves.

7. Boosts Energy Levels

As the spearmint leaves contain a good amount of iron, then the production of red blood cells also become greater. This lead to the increased level of energy in the body. As a result, if you want to have more energy in your day, you can pick the spearmint leaves as a solution.

8. Source of Potassium

As the table has shown, if you take the 100 grams serving of spearmint leaves, you will have the intake of 458 mg potassium. Indeed, this is such a great thing for you. With potassium, you have succeeded to add the great nutrient to your body. As a result, potassium contained in spearmint leaves can help to maintain the bone and muscle health, lower the risk of stroke, and reduce the formation of kidney stones. Wonderful, isn’t it?

Related: Benefits of Potassium

9. Balancing Hormone

One of health benefits of spearmint leaves is the way it can help to balance the body’s hormone. Consequently, this benefit is associated with the presence of powerful organic compounds which can help in optimizing the hormonal balance. Moreover, it can help in reducing the excessive testosterone levels in females.

10. Reduces Androgens Level

If you drink spearmint tea regularly, then it will help you to reduce the level of androgens in women. As a result, it helps to deal with hirsutism which causes the hair to grow on the face, breasts, and stomach

11. Improves Memory

One of great health benefits of spearmint leaves is the way it acts to improve the memory. A study has shown that spearmint extract can help in improving memory. This benefit is linked to the presence of antioxidant nutrient contained in spearmint leaves. As the consequence, if you consume spearmint leaves regularly, thus it will help you to boost the brain function as well.

12. Relieves Stress and Depression

They say that life is a path of struggling ways. As a result, you may face the bad day either the happy day. However, if you suffer from the problems, it might lead you to the stress and depression. As a result, you can have the decoction of spearmint leaves to be drunk as a tea. As the consequence, this decoction will help you to deal with the stress or anxiety. At this point, the soothing effect of spearmint will result in a relaxed state and help you to clear your mind as well as eliminating the chronic stress hormones on the body’s systems.

13. Promotes Respiratory Health

In the same way, you can have spearmint tea to promote your respiratory health. This benefit is linked to the presence of anti-inflammatory properties in spearmint leaves. For this reason, it will help to prevent and relieve sore throats. Also, it will help you to get rid of asthma.

14. Promotes Heart Health

As described before, spearmint leaves contain high potassium levels. Moreover, this will help you to control the blood pressure. Then, with this function, spearmint leaves take part in relieving the stress on blood vessels and arteries. Indeed, it works well to prevent the certain heart problems including strokes and heart attacks. In addition, as spearmint leaves contain no cholesterol, it also helps you to control the cholesterol levels in the body.

15. Have Antioxidant Properties

Due to the presence of antioxidant compounds in spearmint, then it will help you to prevent the risks of certain diseases including cancer. Besides, it is known that spearmint leaves contain antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin C, folates, pyridoxine, riboflavin, and thiamin. With the great nutrients contained in spearmint, it helps to protect the body against the free radicals. Hence, if you want to have a good body protection, you can choose spearmint leaves as your food menu option.

16. Acts as Anti-Inflammatory

By drinking the decoction of spearmint leaves, it can help you to deal with certain health problems such as headaches. This benefit is associated with the anti-inflammatory compounds which are also beneficial to soothe the sore throats and indigestion as well.

17. Boosts Immune System

As spearmint leaves have the antioxidant nutrients as well as having antibacterial properties, then they have a role in boosting the immune system. Indeed, it can help to prevent the infections. Hence, if you want to have the immune system booster, take the spearmint leaves as a way out.

You can find spearmint leaves at the herb store. While shopping, choose the one that has bright green color with great spearmint scent. Moreover, avoid the leaves which have the bad appearance like wilted, yellow and floral leaves.
After that, wash the leaves thoroughly in running water, then store it in the small container and put it in the refrigerator or stored in a cool place away from sunlight.
For the tips, you can add the chopped or ground spearmint leaves to your favorite salad. Also, mix the leaves with yogurt and cumin is a great idea, too.
As spearmint leaves have the great aroma, it becomes a great one to be the flavoring agent in ice creams, cakes, jams, and jelly.
Last, consuming spearmint leaves is safe for their intended use. However, if you face the skin rash, headache, or dizziness after you eat these leaves, you can consult your doctor for sure.

To conclude, spearmint is the great herb which is packed with vital nutrients due to the presence of vitamins, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. Also, as you have read above, the leaves provide the good range of health benefits. As the consequence, have the spearmint leaves as your food option to boost your overall body health! Stay healthy, there, good people.

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