Peppermint Perks
Thankfully one of the most popular ingredients of the season, peppermint, poses a number of benefits to our health. We wrote in a previous flavorfacts blog, about peppermint’s ability to improve athletic performance. The taste of mint — and even the scent — helps increase energy and decrease fatigue when working out.

While we might not work out as much over the holidays, we can benefit from some of the other nutritional aspects of peppermint listed in the recent article, “5 Health Benefits of Peppermint.” The article suggests that peppermint aids in common stomach aches ranging from nausea to menstrual cramps. It goes on to highlight an Italian study which found that peppermint caused a significant reduction in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms in patients who took peppermint oil capsules for a month.

University of Adelaide researchers report in a separate study that peppermint, “activates an ‘anti-pain’ channel in the colon, soothing inflammatory pain in the gastrointestinal tract.” This explains peppermint’s effectiveness in relieving cramps, and sheds new light onto potential treatments for conditions such as IBS.

Photo courtesy of Pip&Ebby.com.

Besides stomach aches, peppermint products are also believed to relieve stuffy noses, which often come about in the cold winter months. Menthol, one of the active ingredients in peppermint, is responsible for the minty scent in most over-the-counter cold medicines. Experiencing peppermint’s taste or smell is understood to clear nasal passageways and allow for some relief to stubborn colds.

Peppermint Patties
Our holiday dessert trays wouldn’t be the same without peppermint bark, candies, cookies, and fudge. Peppermint patties, pinwheels, sundaes, and frappes satisfy our sweet tooth while providing a cool refreshing flavor.

Candy canes are another holiday hallmark, which traditionally involve peppermint and wintergreen flavors, but now come in a variety of innovative flavors, from sour green apple to bacon to pickle flavor! With all the peppermint flavor floating around this holiday, don’t be afraid to indulge in its goodness and embrace the flavor in your own recipes.

Have you ever benefited from peppermint’s health benefits? Which peppermint recipes are your favorite during this time of year? Share with us below.

The Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association of the United States (FEMA) was founded in 1909 and is the national association of the U.S. flavor industry. FEMA’s membership is comprised of flavor manufacturers, flavor users, flavor ingredient suppliers, and others with an interest in the U.S. flavor industry. The association is committed to ensuring a safe supply of flavor ingredients used in foods and beverages enjoyed by billions of men, women, and children around the world.