Discover the Refreshing World: Top 9 Fun Facts About Mint You Never Knew

1. Minty Nerves: The Science of Cold Sensation

You know how you feel like Elsa from Frozen when you pop a mint in your mouth? Well, it turns out there's a scientific reason why you're belting out "Let It Go" as you chew: Researchers have identified a receptor in our nerve cells called CMR1 that allows us to sense both cold temperature and the minty coolness of menthol, with a specific gene encoding for this icy magic!
Source => science.org

2. Mint as a Natural DJ: Mood & Energy Booster

Did you hear about the mint who got a job as a DJ? That's because it can get the life of the party peppin' and the athletes steppin'! Seriously speaking: studies reveal that the scent of peppermint boosts mood, energy levels, and motivation, improves exercise performance by increasing respiratory efficiency, and helps reduce fatigue and frustration – but remember, it's essential not to overdo it on the oil.
Source => nutritionfacts.org

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=> Fun Facts about Herbs

3. The Great Escape: Peppermint the Garden Invader

Careful, mint enthusiasts: there's a rogue on the loose that may take over your gardens faster than it takes to chew a stick of gum! This green escape artist goes by the name of Peppermint: a square-stemmed hybrid between water mint and spearmint, known for its aggressive growth and tendency to break free from its designated garden spaces. Now here's the minty-fresh fact: Norman R. Farnsworth, a founding member of the American Society of Pharmacognosy, actually collected a specimen of this runaway herb outside a Pittsburgh drive-in back in 1965. Today, you can find this very specimen, along with over 1,000 others, preserved in the Carnegie Museum herbarium with envelopes detailing chemical screenings of each plant.
Source => carnegiemnh.org

4. No Mint Schnapps in the Black Forest Region

When life gives you apples, make schnapps: Obstler, a fruity type of schnapps made from apples, apricots, cherries, pears, plums, or quinces, has a longstanding tradition in Austria, Switzerland, and southern Germany, but surprisingly, no minty mixtures are found in the Black Forest region, where they stick to classic fruit brandies and herbal liqueurs.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

5. York Peppermint Pattie: A Guilt-Free Treat

Whoever said "all things in moderation" clearly hadn't encountered a York Peppermint Pattie yet: these scrumptious choco-mint combos are not only heavenly to taste but come with the delightful benefit of boasting the lowest fat content among numerous leading candy bars, clocking in at a mere 2.5g of fat per serving, making them a guilt-free indulgence for those sweet-toothed connoisseurs who prefer to keep their waistlines in check.
Source => cheatdaydesign.com

6. Ancient Egypt's Toothpaste Secret Ingredient: Mint

Ladies and gentlemen, behold the great oral crusader from ancient Egypt, slayer of bad breath and dental dragons alike, none other than the mighty...mint! In all seriousness: Mint has long been prized for its oral health benefits, dating back to the ancient Egyptians who incorporated it into their toothpaste concoctions to combat bacteria and freshen breath – a practice that continues in modern toothpaste formulations to this day.
Source => houstonspediatricdentist.com

7. The Breath-Saving Origins of Life Savers Candy

Before Life Savers were saving lives, they were saving breaths and taking a stab at staying afloat in the candy market: Initially designed by a candy maker Clarence Crane as "breath savers" in the early 1900s, these minty treats adopted their iconic ring-shape with a hole in the middle, reminiscent of life preservers, to separate them from European pillow-shaped imports and soon became known as Life Savers, debunking the myth that their invention was a response to a choking incident.
Source => mashed.com

8. Frost-Resistant Mint: The Chuck Norris of Plants

Who needs minty fresh breath when you can have frost-resistant minty fresh breath? Peppermint plants are the Chuck Norris of the mint family: they can survive in temperatures as low as 40 degrees below zero, are native to Europe and the Middle East, and will take over your garden just as swiftly as a roundhouse kick!
Source => saje.com

9. Mint: Breath-Freshening Hero with Side Effects

When life gives you bad breath, make mouthwash: Mint has long been the go-to hero for freshening breath, thanks to its antibacterial prowess which combats oral bacteria and covers halitosis with its cooling aroma! However, pregnant women and those attempting to make mini-mes might want to go easy on the minty marvel, as its potent antiseptic qualities have been linked to higher miscarriage risks. Plus, if you're battling acid reflux or taking medications for blood pressure and diabetes, it's better to leave the mint magic behind, as it can interfere with your health by escalating stomach acid levels.
Source => sesapure.com