A popular beverage has been linked to a host of health advantages, including the potential to reduce blood pressure and enhance cognitive function. This “refreshing” drink is not only beneficial for health but also economical, with an average cost of just 4p per serving.
Nutrition expert Dr Emma Derbyshire from the Tea Advisory Panel (TAP) suggests that mint tea can bolster our health in multiple ways. She stated: “Mint tea or spearmint tea leaves more than just a refreshing flavour as it provides a range of health benefits that could help to reinforce the brain, cardiovascular system, and blood sugar regulation.”
Her recommendations are supported by a recent analysis carried out by TAP. She added: “A new research review that myself and my colleagues at the Tea Advisory Panel (TAP) undertook – A Narrative Review on the Mechanistic Actions and Potential Health Benefits of Peppermint and Spearmint Teas – provides new evidence around why mint tea could help support our health and wellness.”
The study reviewed existing literature on the beverage, finding that it may aid in maintaining brain health, regulating blood pressure, and managing blood sugar levels.
Brain health
Dr Derbyshire elaborated that mint tea is rich in active ingredients such as rosmarinic acid and menthol, which “exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in the brain”. She said: “Several studies suggest that peppermint tea infusions may help to enhance the memory, alertness, and cognitive performance.
“One randomised controlled trial found that peppermint improved cognitive function in healthy adults, while another reported reduced mental fatigue. As a result, drinking mint tea provides bioactive compounds which potentially help support mental clarity and mood.”
Blood pressure regulation
She explained how mint contains compounds that widen blood vessels and “may help” ease tension in arterial walls. “Studies have shown that peppermint can lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, possibly by influencing calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle,” she said.
“Additionally, mint’s calming effect may reduce stress-related spikes in blood pressure. Sipping mint tea – especially when caffeine-free – could be a gentle, supportive strategy for cardiovascular health when combined with other lifestyle measures.”
Research conducted by the University of Central Lancashire examined mint’s potential heart-protective benefits. Dr Derbyshire explained: “In one clinical trial, participants were asked to drink 50 μL of peppermint infusions diluted in 100 ml of water twice a day for 20 days, while the control group received a peppermint flavoured placebo.
“The group who received the peppermint drink experienced significantly greater reductions in blood pressure and triglycerides – both important markers of a healthy heart – than the group who received the peppermint flavoured placebo.”
Blood sugar control
Mint tea might also prove advantageous for individuals suffering from diabetes or prediabetes. She explained: “Preliminary evidence suggests mint may aid glucose metabolism.
“Peppermint tea infusions have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce fasting blood glucose. This may be due to the modulation of enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion and glucose uptake.
“Although more studies are needed, incorporating mint tea into a balanced diet may be a helpful adjunct for people managing type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance. Previous scientific research has linked a type of compound known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs) to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
“This is another area in which a regular cup of peppermint tea has the potential to benefit our health. According to researchers, extract of peppermint leaf and the polyphenols it contains could help stop these AGE products from forming in the first place. Assuming this is the case, it’s another way in which a simple cup of mint tea could help support a crucial area of our health.”
She continued: “In summary, while mint tea isn’t a standalone treatment, its neuroprotective, vasorelaxant, and anti-diabetic properties make it a promising herbal ally. Its soothing nature also makes it an easy, caffeine-free addition to daily wellness routines.”
At the time of writing, shoppers could purchase a pack of 40 peppermint tea bags from Tesco for £1.75, costing approximately 4p per brew.