Peppermint Essential Oil Improves Athletic Performance

Awesome report about Peppermint!…

In a recent study published by the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, researchers looked at the effectiveness of ingesting Peppermint Essential Oil on running and exercise performance.  Participants consumed one drop of pure peppermint essential oil in 16 ounces of water, once each day for ten consecutive days.

The results were actually a little surprising.  You would probably expect an increase, but the extent that the peppermint oil consumption improved performance was considerable.  Every single marker of athletic performance tested improved, including exercise performance, respiratory function, and respiratory gas exchange.

The amount of total work performed by the test subjects was increased by an incredible 51%, and time to exhaustion increased by about 25%. 

In other words… they were able to go faster and for a longer period. Researchers made the following conclusion: “The results of the experiment support the effectiveness of peppermint essential oil on the (improvement of) exercise performance… Relaxation of bronchial smooth muscles, increase in the ventilation and brain oxygen concentration, and decrease in the blood lactate level are the most plausible explanations.” Click here for the entire article at JISSN.com.

I don’t run a lot, but I am constantly active with my job.  I’ve indeed noticed a MAJOR difference in my energy level this summer.  And summer here in north Florida pushes 90 degrees on a daily basis, sometimes hitting near 100, which can definitely drain you faster. So, here’s to peppermint!