Page 34 - Florida Sentinel 10-30-20

Health
Mint is a leafy plant that's perhaps best known for its asso- ciation with fresh breath due to the cool sensation it creates in the mouth. Toothpaste, mouth- wash, breath mints, and chew- ing gum are all commonly flavored with mint.
In addition to freshening breath, mint is also used to add flavor to foods and drinks. Mint is known for adding a fresh fla- vor to mint chocolate chip ice cream, mojito cocktails, and lamb dishes.
There are many varieties of the mint plant, and most fall under the genus Mentha. Be- cause mint plants spread quickly, gardeners tend to grow them in containers. When planted directly into the ground, they can become inva- sive and take over a garden.
Mint grows natively on all continents except Antarctica. Peppermint and spearmint are likely the most commonly used mint varieties, but many others exist, such as wild mint and water mint.
Some plants referred to as
"mint" also fall under the genus Monarda. Both Mentha and Monarda genuses are within the same family, called Lamiaceae. Monarda mints include horsemint, catmint, and stone- mint.
All varieties of mint leaves may be used fresh, in dried herb form, brewed as a tea, or con- centrated in an essential oil.
Health Benefits
Mint has been used in tradi-
tional medicine to treat a vari- ety of ailments for many years. Unfortunately, there aren't many human studies docu- menting the impact mint has on the body apart from digestion support and irritable bowel syn- drome relief. With time, re- search could confirm that mint is useful in treating a wider va- riety of illnesses.
Brain Health
Consuming mint might pro-
mote brain health. One study found mint extracts have poten- tial to treat Alzheimer's symp- toms, although more research is needed. Another study found that smelling peppermint could enhance memory and increase alertness, although it's un- known if ingesting it has similar effects.
Digestive Health
When it comes to medicinal uses, mint is perhaps most pop-
ularly known as a remedy for di- gestive problems. Taking pep- permint oil reduces abdominal pain and helps treat irritable bowel syndrome without pro- ducing side effects.
Animal and in vitro studies suggest that mint leaves could have wider medicinal applica- tions than those currently known. These types of studies have found that mint is able to kill bacteria, reduce stress, and fight cancerous tumor cells. Human trials will be required to determine if mint also has these effects on the human body.
Nutrition
The nutritional content of mint varies slightly across vari- eties.
Nutrients Per Serving
One Tablespoon of fresh peppermint contains:
Calories: 1
Protein: 0 grams
Fat: 0 grams Carbohydrates: 0 grams Fiber: Less than 1 gram
Sugar: 0 grams
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2020 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY PAGE 17-B