WE all know herbs provide a fresh taste to our meals.
But it turns out that there’s one that does more than provide a nice garnish to your dish.
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It turns out that mint is a powerhouse for your digestive system.
Not only can it help you lose water weight and debloat, it also makes your breath fresher.
The simple herb contains several essential oils that are released when steeped in hot water, including menthol, menthone and limonene.
Collectively, these give peppermint tea its refreshing, cooling, minty taste.
WEIGHT LOSS
Research suggests mint tea can help with weight loss and digestion.
Naturally calorie-free, peppermint tea keeps you hydrated which can help get rid of water retention in the body.
It might seem counterintuitive to drink more if you have water weight, but it can actually help flush out excess salt in the body which keeps you clinging on to the weight.
Not only this, but the smell and sweet flavour can actually make you feel less hungry.
A 2007 study found that inhaling peppermint several times a day led people to not consume as many calories and felt less hungry.
So, if you’re feeling peckish after dinner, try a cup of mint tea to tide you over instead.
BEAT THE BLOAT
One of the most common uses of mint is to help aid digestion.
No, it’s not an old wives’ tale that this simple herb relieves bloating, the menthol in peppermint is a natural muscle relaxer.
This can help ease bloating, stomach cramps and gas when consumed.
FRESHEN UP
There’s a reason toothpaste and mouthwash all taste like mint, and it’s not just because it tastes good.
Mint is naturally antibacterial and kills germs, including the ones that make your breath smell.
What’s more, is that you can easily buy a mint plant in most supermarkets, like Sainsbury’s where it costs just £1.50.
You can plant it in the garden or leave it on the side of your kitchen to grow.
For a simple mint tea, all you have to do is pick off a few leaves from the plant and pour hot water over to release its natural oil and flavour.
Bloating: Foods to eat and avoid
Eating the right foods can prevent bloating as well as reduce when it occurs.
But it depends entirely on what your symptoms are.
If you are bloated and constipated, eat:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Bran flakes
- Oats
- Skin-on potatoes
- Dried fruits such as apricots and raisins
If you have trapped wind, avoid:
- Cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and kale
- Beans (baked, kidney, butter)
- Lentils
These foods, including pulses like beans and lentils, are good to add into the diet slowly as they are high in fibre.
While they are not advisable to help in the moment, they do help in the long-run by boosting gut health.
Try adding them slowly into your diet.
If you are bloated with diarrhoea, you may have a stomach bug and should eat:
- Plain foods: bananas, white rice, bread or toast
- Boiled potatoes
- Oatmeal
- Small and frequent meals
Other tips for preventing bloating are:
- Exercise regularly
- Chew with your mouth shut
- Eat smaller more frequent meals than large meals
- Avoid fizzy drinks, alcohol or caffeine
- Limit processed, sugary, spicy or fatty foods
