8. Peppermint tea
There’s something comforting about holding a warm cup of peppermint tea when your stomach feels unsettled.
Peppermint has a long history of use as a traditional digestive remedy. Its characteristic cooling flavor comes largely from menthol, a compound found naturally in peppermint leaves.
Some research suggests that specially formulated peppermint oil products may help certain digestive complaints, particularly symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome. However, peppermint tea has not been proven to provide the same benefits.
And peppermint comes with an important warning for people who experience heartburn.
Peppermint can relax the muscular valve between the stomach and esophagus. In susceptible people, that may allow stomach acid to flow upward more easily, potentially worsening reflux.
Therefore, peppermint tea isn’t necessarily a good choice for every kind of indigestion.
If your main complaint is acid reflux or a burning sensation in your chest, consider avoiding peppermint.
Try this: If you enjoy peppermint tea and it doesn’t aggravate your symptoms, an occasional cup can be a pleasant caffeine-free beverage. But don’t assume that more peppermint will produce better results.
If you’re sensitive to reflux, a cup of warm water or another non-mint, non-caffeinated beverage may be a gentler alternative.
