Can Peppermint Tea Help You Focus?

Minty Fresh: The holidays are full of fun, but they can also be quite hectic. All those errands, travel plans, and social commitments can contribute to mental overload. So if your focus feels stretched thin and you need some extra support, you might want to think about making a warm mug of peppermint tea your go-to seasonal drink.  

The Study: In a randomized, placebo-controlled study published in Human Psychopharmacology, adults who drank a single cup of peppermint tea did better on memory and attention tasks than those given a placebo. Researchers also saw increased blood flow in parts of the prefrontal cortex involved in focus and working memory. A second study of 180 university students, published in Plant Science Today, found similar results: peppermint tea improved long-term memory and sped up recall compared with chamomile tea or hot water. 

The Takeaway: Peppermint tea is a smart choice when you need to stay sharp and give your brain a little boost.

Keep In Mind: These were short-term studies with modest effects, and the changes in brain blood flow didn’t fully explain the performance gains.