Amazing Health Benefits Of Mint Leaves You Must Know

Mint leaves or pudina is a common ingredient in Indian households. Mint is named for over a dozen plant species including spearmint and peppermint. These plants are primarily popular because of the cooling sensation that they impart. Mint can also be added to foods as a flavouring agent and for garnishing purposes as well. Mint leaves can be added to alcoholic drinks, sauces, salads and even desserts. Apart from its cooling properties, mint leaves have several health benefits. Benefits of mint can be good for the skin, for digestion and for the brain function to name a few.

Following are top health benefits of mint leaves you simply cannot miss:

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1. Mint can be easily included in your diet

You can chew fresh mint leaves, add them in your food for additional flavour, inhale the soothing aroma of its essential oils, eat dried mint leaves, etc. It is quite easy to include mint in your diet.

2. It helps in improving symptoms of cold

Menthol is a common ingredient in medicines which are meat for treatment of cold and the flu. Menthol helps in reducing congestion along with improving airflow and breathing. However, menthol cannot be termed as a decongestant. It helps in easing breathing through the nose.

 

Menthol helps in easing breathing through the nose
Photo Credit: iStock

Also read: Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Common Cold

3. Mint is rich in nutrients

Even though it is not consumed in large quantities, the benefit of pudina is that has vitamins and minerals which can be quite healthy for the body. It is rich in Vitamin A, iron, manganese, fibre and folate. You can add mint leaves in small amounts to various recipes in order to include it in your diet. Vitamin A in mint is particularly good for eye health and night vision. Antioxidants in mint help in relieving oxidative stress in the body.

Also read: Planning To Get Pregnant? You Must Have These 5 Nutrients

4. It helps in getting rid of bad breath

Mints are popular for getting rid of bad breath. However, it only covers the bad breath and does not reduce bacteria or other compounds which cause bad breath. But if you chew fresh mint leaves, it can help in masking bad breath as well as kill bacteria which cause bad breath.

5. Mint helps in reducing breastfeeding pain

Breastfeeding mothers experience cracks and sores on nipples which make breastfeeding painful and difficult. Applying mint to the skin can help in relieving breastfeeding pain.

 

Applying mint to the skin can help ease the breastfeeding pain

6. It helps in relieving indigestion

Adding pudina in your food can improve your digestion. Benefits of pudina are such that it can help in treating upset stomach and even indigestion. Indigestion occurs when foods sits in the stomach for too long before passing into the digestive tract. Apart from mint, adding peppermint oil to meals can help in passing food through the stomach quickly and relieve symptoms of indigestion.

Also read: 11 Foods That Are Great For Digestion

7. It helps in improving irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of the digestive tract. It causes gas, bloating, stomach pain and change in bowel habits. Peppermint oil is an effective herbal remedy for IBS. Menthol in peppermint oil alleviates IBS symptoms and have a relaxing effects on muscles of the digestive tract.

 

Peppermint oil is an effective herbal remedy for IBS

8. It helps in improving brain function

Inhaling aroma of essential oils of mint can help in improving brain function. Smelling essential oils of mint plant has been found to increase alertness and decrease fatigue, anxiety and frustration. However, more research is needed in for verifying mint benefits on brain.

Also read: Top 10 Anxiety Triggers You Must Know

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.