Peppermint Oil for Curbing Appetite and Losing Weight

Peppermint in History

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) belongs to the Labiatae (mint) botanical family. It's one of the oldest and the most high-regarded herbs for healing and remedy. The essential oil of peppermint has been used in medical treatments for anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, soothing digestion and pain relieving.


Peppermint Studies in Modern Days

Peppermint oil and fragrant influence has been studied scientifically in recent years. Dr. William N. Dember of the University of Cincinnati found that inhaling peppermint oil increased the mental alertness, focus and accuracy by 28%.


Peppermint Oil to Improve Athletic Performance

Dr. Bryan Raudenbush and his research group of Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia found that peppermint oil and vapor can enhance overall athletic performance:

• Decrease in Fatigue by 25 %
• Decrease in Perceived Temporal Workload by 22 %
• Increase in Vigor by 13 %
• Decrease in Perceived Frustration by 13 %
• Decrease in Perceived Effort by 12 %
• Increase in Perceived Performance by 9 %
• Decrease in Perceived Physical Workload by 8 %
• Increase in Strength by 6 %
• Increase in Number of Push-Ups by 6 %
• Increase in Speed (400 Meter Run 1.5 Seconds Faster)

Ref: JOURNAL OF SPORT & EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY, 2001, vol. 23, pp. 156-160.

Wow, that's really powerful, isn't it?

You can inhale peppermint oil before and during workout to help boost your mood and reduce fatigue. You can also diffuse the peppermint oil for improving energy and mental clarity.

But what can peppermint oil do for the non-athletic average folks or overweight population?

A recent research study by Dr. Bryan Raudenbush and his colleagues at the Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia confirmed a known effect of peppermint oil on reducing hunger level and curbing appetite.

Their study evaluated hunger levels during peppermint inhalation vs. non-inhalation, in addition to actual food consumption and dietary evaluation (e.g., fat intake, caloric intake, vitamin and mineral intake, etc.) over a period of two weeks.

Results indicate participants who were exposed to peppermint consumed nearly 3000 fewer total calories from saturated fat, total fat, and sugar each week. That's about 23% less calories based on 1800 calories/day diet for 7 days. Participants also rated their hunger level significantly lower during peppermint inhalation.

"Research partipicants who were exposed to peppermint oil regularly ate nearly 3000 fewer calories each week. That's about 23% less calories a week!"

Whether simply inhaled or eaten, peppermint increases activity in the area of the brain responsible for alertness, according to researchers. Inhalation of peppermint oil helps trigger a sense of fullness after meals, enhance your sense of taste and smell, and improve concentration and mental activity.

This is a good news in that peppermint can be used as a natural aid to help people curb appetite, decrease hunger cravings, and eat fewer calories. As a result, the use of peppermint may help in weight loss and better overall health.

But not all peppermint oils are created equal. Only the true organic peppermint grown without chemical fertilizers and pesticides offers the most active nutrient levels. The therapeutic-grade essesntial oil of peppermint has to be extracted by steam distillation under strictly controlled conditions and handling.

>> Learn about true, pure therapeutic-grade essential oil of peppermint and start enjoying its health and fitness benefits (product # 3614) >>

Before you decide to try peppermint oil in your weight loss program, you need to get the basics covered first: healthy lifestyle changes, regular weight training and cardio exercise routine, and balanced diet and macronutrition.

As I pointed out in my earlier post, there is a place for vitamins and nutritional supplements. They are meant to "supplement" your macronutrition or certain deficiencies, instead of becoming your major meals.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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