Peppermint oil can be good for you in small doses, but if you’ve got something of a peppermint candy addiction, excess consumption of the treats may carry health risks.
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"Everything in moderation" is advice as good for innocuous treats, like peppermint candy, as it is co*cktails and steak. Peppermint oil can be good for you in small doses, but if you've got something of a peppermint candy addiction, excess consumption of the treats may carry health risks.
Avoid Peppermint Oil Side Effects
Unless you have an allergy to plants of the mint family, candy made with real peppermint oil won't have any ill-effects when eaten in normal amounts. But if not used as intended, or if eaten in large quantities, peppermint oil side effects are possible. Menthol, a major compound of peppermint, is the substance responsible for these dangers, according to the National Poison Control Center.
Menthol interacts with the body's calcium channels. While this response triggers a pleasant cooling sensation in normal doses, large amounts can be toxic. Seizures are possible when this toxicity occurs, and in rare cases, it can even be fatal.
Obviously, peppermint candy is meant to be taken internally. But hard candy has a way of getting sticky as you begin sucking. Should you happen to rub your face or eyes with sticky hands, the menthol in the residue can be an irritant.
For anyone with an extreme sensitivity to menthol, chemical burns are a possibility. The people who are most likely to have a serious reaction to skin contact with menthol — young children — are also the most likely to rub sticky hands in their eyes or on sensitive facial skin.
If you have any of the symptoms that may be peppermint oil side effects, either cut back or eliminate your consumption of peppermint candy:
- A sensation of burning in the mouth: Contact with peppermint oil in the candies may lead to mouth sores, oral sensitivity and white patches on your gums and tongue. You may also have redness and burning on the skin near your mouth.
- Muscle weakness: This symptom is more often associated with inhaling peppermint oil than consuming medications or candies containing it.
- Blurred vision.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Heartburn.
- Itchy skin around the anal area.
Who Should Skip the Candy?
People with a history of gallstones, those with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and those taking certain medications may need to avoid having peppermint candy, according to Harvard Health Publishing. For most people, the peppermint oil in candies and lozenges has a relaxing effect on the gastrointestinal tract muscles.
Potential peppermint benefits from this muscle-relaxing effect include less bloating and pain for people with digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome. It may also cut down on flatulence for people with sensitive stomachs or those having temporary gas.
Read more: What Are the Health Benefits of Mint Tea?
On the other hand, having more than a moderate amount of peppermint oil can negatively affect the kidneys, making peppermint candy a poor choice for people who are prone to gallstones. It can also dangerously intensify certain medications, including statins and antidepressants.
People with GERD may find that peppermint oil's muscle-relaxing abilities make their symptoms worse. The sphincter between the stomach and the esophagus may become too loosened after the oil is ingested. This action can make symptoms or GERD or hiatal hernia worse, especially when it comes to heartburn and reflux plain.
Along with these warnings from Harvard Health Publishing, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) advises pregnant people to moderate their peppermint candy intake. Because peppermint oil has traditionally been used for bringing about menstruation in people with irregular periods, it is possible that the oil can cause miscarriage.
In addition, young children should not have peppermint candy at all or should be given it only in very small amounts, AAFP notes. Along with the obvious choking hazard to toddlers, even a small amount of peppermint oil can cause internal spasms that interfere with swallowing or breathing.
AAFP notes that these potential risks don't mean that occasional peppermint candy or mint tea is forbidden to breastfeeding or pregnant people or for younger children. However, more than an occasional, small amount could pose a danger.
Warning
Striped peppermint candy typically gets its characteristic colors from artificial dyes such as Red 40, according to the USDA. These dyes have been identified as possible contributors to health problems in children, warns the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Hyperactivity is a particular concern.
If you have kids, consider going with a non-dyed mint candy in order to get that holiday taste, along with potential peppermint benefits, without the risks that come with artificial dyes.
Chewing on Dental Health Risks
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), peppermint candy's sugar content poses an oral health risk. The association recommends that people aim to take in no more than 50 grams of sugar each day.
So where does peppermint candy fit into those guidelines? The USDA estimates that three pieces of peppermint candy contain about 15 grams of sugar. Given that you're unlikely to avoid sugars in the rest of your day's food selections, those three pieces are already stretching the limits.
If you truly have a peppermint candy addiction (or, at least, a hardcore habit) you're unlikely to stop at three pieces. If you suck a dozen pieces over the course of the day, you'll have exceeded the ADA's suggested limit.
Sugar is a danger to your teeth and gums, because it tends to adhere to your teeth, triggering the bacteria that's already in your mouth to release acids as they feed on the sugars. When you do give in to your peppermint candy addiction, make sure to brush your teeth as soon as possible. The peppermint in these treats may make your breath feel fresh and your mouth feel clean, but the bacterial feeding frenzy that happens after you chew sugary candy tells a different story.
Read more: How Do I Substitute Peppermint Oil for Peppermint Extract?
Not surprisingly, the sugar content of peppermint candy affects other aspects of your health. While a few pieces here and there is an acceptable snack, consuming large amounts of the sweet treat will sneak more calories into your daily diet than you are aware.
The USDA's database indicates that three pieces of peppermint candy total about 60 calories, which falls neatly into the "acceptable snack" category for most people. If you mindlessly gobble a bowlful of the candies while watching a movie, the calorie hit is fairly large.
Ingesting about 20 candies in one sitting will add about 400 calories and 100 grams of carbohydrates to your daily intake. Doing that multiple times a week can easily add up to the 3,500 excess calories it takes to gain a pound of fat within a month.
Along with the additional calories, sugary foods lead to weight gain more quickly than fatty foods with the same calorie count, according to Cleveland Clinic. Eating excess sugar signals your body to store fat as an emergency fuel and sets off a chain reaction in which your metabolism decreases. Obviously, a few pieces of peppermint candy here or there won't create this heavy risk for weight gain, but eating it in excess amounts may.
FAQs
“One thing to remember is that peppermint candies have a high sugar content,” says Charabaty. “Sugar can get fermented by the bacteria in our small bowel, which in turn can produce gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.”
Can eating too many peppermints upset your stomach? ›
Peppermint can relax the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus, allowing stomach acids to flow back into the esophagus. (The sphincter is the muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach.) By relaxing the sphincter, peppermint may actually worsen the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion.
Does peppermint candy raise blood pressure? ›
It seems that peppermint has a lowering effect on the heart rate and the systolic blood pressure. Yet in another study, peppermint aroma was administered by nose but no significant effect in both heart rate and blood pressure was observed.
Can you have too much peppermint? ›
Its side effects are claimed to be usually mild and minimally toxic (gastro esophageal reflux, heartburns, nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions and diarrhea). High doses could be hepatotoxic[2] and nephrotoxic (rarely interstitial nephritis and acute renal failure).
What happens if you eat too many peppermint candies? ›
“Eating three servings of peppermint candy a day — or nine pieces — without reducing your intake of other foods would give you a surplus of 180 calories, leading to about a pound of weight gain every three weeks. Over time, this weight gain could become substantial.
What are the disadvantages of peppermint? ›
Peppermint can cause some side effects including heartburn, dry mouth, nausea, and vomiting. When applied to the skin: Peppermint oil is likely safe. When given as an enema (rectally): Peppermint oil is likely safe.
What do peppermints do to your brain? ›
Peppermint was found to enhance memory whereas ylang-ylang impaired it, and lengthened processing speed. In terms of subjective mood peppermint increased alertness and ylang-ylang decreased it, but significantly increased calmness.
Why do I crave peppermint candy? ›
Your very low iron level could indeed be contributing to your craving. Iron or zinc deficiency is sometimes associated with a condition called pica. This is the medical term for craving and eating non-food substances. While mint coffee or cookies qualify as food, mint-flavored lip balm certainly does not!
Who should not use peppermint? ›
People with a specific enzyme deficiency, called G6PD deficiency, should avoid using peppermint as an extract or oil in aromatherapy. People taking certain medications. Peppermint oil aromatherapy can inhibit an enzyme called CYP3A4, which is responsible for breaking down many types of medication.
Is peppermint candy good for your brain? ›
Enhance Brain Power – A few studies a couple decades ago show that peppermint has been know to give your brain a boost in cognitive memory skills and boost in concentration when consumed on a regular basis while studying.
It seems peppermint has a lowering effect on the heart rate and the systolic blood pressure. Reduction in the arterial smooth muscle tonicity is a possible explanation for these effects. One study administered peppermint aroma by nose and failed to find any significant effect in both heart rate and blood pressure.
How much peppermint can you have a day? ›
The usual dose of peppermint oil is 1 or 2 capsules, taken 3 times a day. It's best to take it around 1 hour before meals. Wait at least 2 hours between taking a dose of peppermint oil and taking an indigestion medicine.
Does peppermint cause inflammation? ›
Studies demonstrate that peppermint oil (menthol) possesses anti-inflammatory activity. Oral administration of peppermint oil prevents both xylene induced gut inflammation in mice and acetic acid induced colitis in rats. In vitro, menthol suppresses the production of inflammatory mediators from human monocytes.
How many peppermints can you eat? ›
The USDA's database indicates that three pieces of peppermint candy total about 60 calories, which falls neatly into the "acceptable snack" category for most people.
Is it okay to eat mint candy everyday? ›
While there are many options that are perfectly healthy for your teeth, mints are not one of them. While powerful enough to freshen your breath, these hard candies can cause further damage to your teeth, putting you at risk for excessive tooth decay.
What happens if you eat mints everyday? ›
Consumption of mint leaves daily can give a soothing effect for asthmatic patients. Mint is known to clear a stuffed nose, menthol can make breathing a lot easier. It also relieves the irritation caused by a chronic cough.
How much candy is too much in a day? ›
How Much Is Too Much? The American Heart Association recommends no more than 6 teaspoons (25 grams) of added sugar a day for women and 9 teaspoons (36 grams) for men. But the average American gets way more: 22 teaspoons a day (88 grams).
Is peppermint a blood thinner? ›
Natural Aids in Thinning Blood
Some herbs and spices that contain salicylates (a natural blood thinner) include cayenne pepper, cinnamon, curry powder, dill, ginger, licorice, oregano, paprika, peppermint, thyme and turmeric. Meanwhile there are fruits that can aid in blood thinning.
Is peppermint a stimulant or depressant? ›
Essential oils of peppermint and chamomile exhibited CNS stimulant-like effects; that is, they increased the response rate (number of shuttlings/min) of the avoidance response. Linden also increased the response rate, however, the effect was not dose-dependent.
Is peppermint good for mental health? ›
There are evidence that inhaling essential oil may trigger the secretion of endorphin and attenuate pain and anxiety in return. Peppermint with the scientific name Mentha piperita is one of the essences used for aromatherapy. Mentha piperita is an aromatic herb with analgesic and tranquilizing effects.
Like many other essential oils such as lavender, peppermint oil can be used to give relief from stress, anxiety, depression and mental exhaustion due to its naturally refreshing properties.
Does peppermint affect sleep? ›
Our results showed that aromatherapy with peppermint essential oil was effective in improving sleep quality.
Is peppermint hard on your stomach? ›
Unfortunately, peppermint also relaxes the sphincter between the esophagus and stomach (the lower esophageal sphincter), so it can cause gastroesophageal reflux and heartburn. It can worsen reflux symptoms in people with hiatal hernia and — not surprisingly — those with gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Is peppermint candy good for your stomach? ›
Christy Brissette, a registered dietitian nutritionist, added another note of caution: “The peppermint in your beloved candy canes may help soothe a mildly upset stomach by helping to soothe muscles in your digestive tract... but they also stimulates the valve at the top of your stomach to relax, so it's more likely to ...
Does peppermint candy have real peppermint in it? ›
Mints sometimes contain derivatives from plants such as peppermint oil or spearmint oil, or wintergreen from the plant genus Gaultheria. However, many of the most popular mints citing these natural sources contain none in their ingredient list or contain only trace amounts.
Is Peppermint Candy good for your brain? ›
Enhance Brain Power – A few studies a couple decades ago show that peppermint has been know to give your brain a boost in cognitive memory skills and boost in concentration when consumed on a regular basis while studying.
Is Peppermint Candy good for anxiety? ›
Remember, the next time you or a child you know is facing a stressful situation, consider that research says peppermint can help! Peppermint candy, tea or oil can be just what you need to find your focus and ease anxiety.
Does peppermint candy help with mucus? ›
Peppermint works as an expectorant because menthol thins mucus, loosen phlegm and breaks up coughs. Pain Relief: Peppermint-flavored candy can be used to dull some aches and pains.
Does eating peppermint help with memory? ›
What do peppermint and rosemary have in common? Both of these herbs help improve memory and alertness, according to studies conducted at Northumbria University in England.
Does peppermint increase blood flow? ›
Menthol, the main component in peppermint oil, has been shown to increase blood flow to the area where it is applied. A study in Microvascular Research found that a 4 percent menthol solution caused blood vessels to widen, which increases blood flow.
