Peppermint oil, oats, and avocado had a good week in the lab |
Peppermint oil probably doesn’t come to mind if think about blood pressure treatment. But in a recent randomized trial, 40 adults with elevated or mildly high blood pressure took a small daily dose for 20 days, and their systolic pressure fell by an average of 8.5 mmHg. Their resting heart rate dropped too.
Lead author Jonathan Sinclair suggested that the compounds in peppermint, particularly menthol, “may help blood vessels relax, which could reduce the pressure against which the heart has to pump.”
High blood pressure, raised LDL cholesterol, and blood sugar control are all conditions tied to type 2 diabetes, and recent weeks produced a study for each.
A 2-day oatmeal regimen cut LDL cholesterol by 10% in adults with metabolic syndrome, with the effect still measurable 6 weeks later. A 6-month trial found a link between daily avocado consumption and better blood sugar control.
To learn more about this research and cautions around the findings, jump to “How oatmeal, avocado, peppermint oil may help treat diabetes.”
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