Review
Version 1
Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed
Mint and Menthol: A Review of Potential Health Benefits and wider Human effects
Version 1
: Received: 15 December 2022 / Approved: 15 December 2022 / Online: 15 December 2022 (07:25:06 CET)
How to cite: Best, R. Mint and Menthol: A Review of Potential Health Benefits and wider Human effects. Preprints 2022, 2022120273. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202212.0273.v1 Best, R. Mint and Menthol: A Review of Potential Health Benefits and wider Human effects. Preprints 2022, 2022120273. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202212.0273.v1
Abstract
Mint and to a lesser extent menthol have been used since antiquity for medicinal purposes. Key components of mint and menthol use such as composition and intake, safety and traditional uses are discussed prior to a review of clinical and human performance outcomes in the areas of digestive and respiratory health; antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, nocioception, migraine and headache and emerging evidence regarding COVID 19. Evidence suggests benefit for patients with irritable bowel syndrome and related digestive issues, with analgesic and respiratory effects also noted. Perceptual characteristics relating to thermal comfort and sensation, taste sensitivity and alertness are also considered; these effects are predominantly driven by stimulation of transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) activity resulting in sensations of cooling and freshness, with lesser influence on thirst. Finally, sport performance is considered as a domain that may further elucidate some of the aforementioned underpinning outcomes due to its systemic and dynamic nature, especially when performed in hot environmental conditions.
Keywords
Mint; Menthol; Digestion; Respiration; COVID-19; Sport; Pain
Subject
Biology and Life Sciences, Food Science and Technology
Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Comments (0)
We encourage comments and feedback from a broad range of readers. See criteria for comments and our Diversity statement.
Leave a public commentSend a private comment to the author(s)
* All users must log in before leaving a comment