A Northumbria University clinical trial found that healthy adults who drank peppermint tea performed better on several memory tests and showed increased blood flow in a brain region tied to attention and working memory.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A single serving of peppermint tea may produce short-term memory benefits in healthy adults, according to a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted by researchers at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom.
The study, published in Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental, examined whether brewed peppermint tea could affect cognitive performance and brain blood flow after one dose. Researchers enrolled 25 healthy adults, who were given either 200 milliliters of peppermint tea or a placebo drink before completing a series of memory assessments.
Participants who drank peppermint tea performed better than those in the placebo group across four cognitive measures, researchers said. The improvements were recorded in episodic memory, working memory, short-term word recall and visuospatial memory.
The placebo group showed a slight decline on some tasks, which the study authors attributed to normal fatigue from repeated testing. Researchers said peppermint tea appeared to protect against that drop in performance.
The findings add to earlier research suggesting that peppermint may support concentration and memory. Previous work has linked peppermint aroma to improved memory and focus, according to a 2011 NaturalNews.com report.
Researchers also measured brain activity using near-infrared spectroscopy, a technique that allowed them to monitor blood flow in the prefrontal cortex in real time. The prefrontal cortex is involved in attention, decision-making and working memory.
The peppermint tea group showed a measurable increase in oxygenated hemoglobin in that region compared with the placebo group, the study found. However, researchers said the increase in cerebral blood flow did not statistically explain the memory improvements, suggesting other biological pathways may be involved.
Peppermint contains active compounds including menthol and rosmarinic acid. Rosmarinic acid has been studied for possible protective effects against oxidative damage in neuronal cells, including in research published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology.
The plant also has a long history of use in traditional medicine. Dried peppermint leaves have been found in Egyptian pyramids dating back to 1,000 B.C., and modern research has identified more than a dozen healing properties associated with peppermint, according to GreenMedInfo.com. Peppermint oil has also been used in Ayurvedic and Western herbal traditions to support digestion and general wellness, according to “The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook.”
The Northumbria University researchers cautioned that the trial was small and tested only the effects of a single serving. They said the results cannot yet be applied broadly and called for additional research, including studies involving people with early cognitive decline.
No adverse effects were reported in the trial.
The findings suggest peppermint tea may offer a simple dietary approach to supporting short-term cognitive performance, though researchers said more work is needed to understand the mechanisms and determine whether repeated use produces lasting benefits.
Source: Natural News
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