Peppermint

Overview

Peppermint provides compounds that support mental clarity and alertness, useful for ADHD focus support.

Within the BRAIN Diet framework, peppermint supports mental clarity and alertness and can be consumed as herbal tea or essential oil inhalation [1][2].

Key Nutritional Highlights

• Peppermint and menthol-containing herbs are studied for alertness and digestive comfort [1]
• Culinary herb interventions show acute cognitive and mood effects in controlled trials [2]
• Peppermint provides compounds that support mental clarity and alertness, useful for ADHD focus support. [1]
• Peppermint supports mental clarity and alertness and can be consumed as herbal tea or essential oil inhalation. [2]
• Peppermint provides compounds that support mental clarity and alertness, useful for ADHD focus support.

Food Context

Synergies

• Part of diverse herb/spice strategy

Preparation

• Can be consumed as herbal tea
• Essential oil can be used for inhalation
• Supports mental clarity

Recipes

no recipes found

Nutrient Tables (per 100 g)

Core nutrients

Nutrient	Amount per 100 g	% RDA per 100 g
Energy	70 kcal	—
Protein	3.8 g	—
Total fat	0.9 g	—
Saturated fat	0.2 g	—
Carbohydrates	14.9 g	—
Fibre	8 g	—

Key micronutrients

Nutrient	Amount per 100 g	% RDA per 100 g
Iron	5.1 mg	28.2%
Zinc	1.1 mg	10.1%
Magnesium	80 mg	19%
Calcium	243 mg	24.3%
Potassium	569 mg	16.7%
Folate	114 µg	28.5%
Vitamin B12	0 µg	0%
Vitamin B6	0.1 mg	7.6%

Bioactive compounds

Values below are often from specialist compositional databases or literature, not the standard USDA panel. Asterisks (*) refer to source notes at the bottom of this section.

Compound / class	Amount per 100 g	Notes
ALA	195 mg	—

Note: Bioactive-compound values vary substantially by cultivar, species, cocoa or oil percentage, processing, and brand formulation. Show quantitative values only where a defensible source exists; otherwise prefer qualitative presence statements or ranges in source notes.

Reference intakes: US Dietary Reference Intakes for adults (19–50 years; using the higher of male/female values where they differ).

Data provenance (core / micronutrient panel): USDA FoodData Central, Peppermint, fresh, FDC ID 173474, API, per 100 g edible portion, last checked 2026-03-14

Substances

Substances in this food: editorial (Overview / literature) plus analytical (nutrition table).

8 substances in this food

Fe²⁺

Iron

Oxygen transport; dopamine synthesis (tyrosine hydroxylase cofactor)

Zn²⁺

Zinc

Cofactor in neurotransmission and antioxidant enzymes; dopamine modulation

Mg²⁺

Magnesium

Enzymatic cofactor (>300 reactions); neurotransmitters; mitochondria; redox balance

Ca²⁺

Calcium

Bone health; neurotransmission; interacts with vitamin D and K2

K⁺

Potassium

Electrolyte for nerve transmission, muscle function, and blood pressure regulation

Vitamin B9 (Folate; 5-MTHF)

One-carbon metabolism; methylation; homocysteine recycling

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine → PLP)

PLP cofactor for neurotransmitter synthesis; relies on brain PDXK activation

ALA (Alpha-Linolenic Acid)

Essential omega-3 precursor; limited conversion to DHA/EPA

References

[1] Peppermint and menthol-containing herbs are studied for alertness and digestive comfort. Bruni et al. 2021. Herbal Remedies and Their Possible Effect on the GABAergic System and Sleep

[2] Culinary herb interventions show acute cognitive and mood effects in controlled trials. Scholey et al. 2008. An extract of Salvia (sage) with anticholinesterase properties improves memory and attention in healthy older volunteers