Peppermint Pineapple Smoothie

As a member of the New Hope Influencer Co-op,  (a network of health and wellness bloggers committed to spreading more health information to more people), I am constantly inspired by my fellow bloggers and writers. Recently, Jessie Shafer, RD from the New Hope Network wrote about the Benefits of Peppermint and it inspired me to make a new recipe, the Peppermint Pineapple Smoothie! This recipe incorporates the fresh peppermint and hopefully will pass the health benefits that Jessica discussed.

Some Benefits of Peppermint includes:

1. Reduce daytime fatigue A 2018 study of 24 participants with an average age of 25 years showed that those who were given a peppermint oil capsule experienced less fatigue during a cognitive test. In another study, participants who were in a room where peppermint oil was diffused showed significantly less daytime sleepiness than those who were in an odorless room.
2. Relieve menstrual cramps As a proven muscle relaxant, peppermint may provide some relief from the pain associated with menstrual cramping. In a 2016 study, 127 women with chronic painful periods experienced reductions in the intensity and duration of menstrual pain. The outcome was just as effective with peppermint extract capsules as with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Nausea and diarrhea, however, were lower in the group taking peppermint than the group taking the pharmaceutical drug.
3. Unclog sinuses Ever experience a cooling, opening effect on your airways after eating a breath mint or sipping peppermint tea? What you’re feeling is menthol—one of the active compounds in peppermint—at work. Research demonstrates that menthol improves the perception of airflow in your nasal cavity. Additionally, the antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties in peppermint may relieve infection-induced sinus clogging.
4. Diminish tension headaches and migraines Research has shown that peppermint oil induces a significant increase in blood flow of the forehead’s skin after local application, measured by laser Doppler, and provides a cooling sensation, possibly easing acute headache pain. In a 2010 study of 35 people with chronic migraines, the majority of whom were women, those who received peppermint oil aromatherapy applied to the forehead and temples showed a statistically significant reduction in pain after two hours, compared with those treated with a placebo oil. In another study involving 41 patients who experienced a combined total of 164 headaches during the trial, the effect of a locally applied peppermint oil preparation on tension-type headache was examined. In those patients, peppermint oil applied to the forehead was shown to be as effective as taking 1,000 mg of acetaminophen.

So give this refreshing smoothie recipe a try and reap the benefits of peppermint!

Peppermint Pineapple Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of organic frozen pineapple chunks
• 1 cup of peppermint leaves
• 1 cup of ice
• 1 tablespoon of lime juice

Direction:

1. Let the pineapple partially thaw out (but not completely)…you want the center to still be frozen.
2. Once the pineapples are ready, add all the ingredient into the blender.
3. Blend the ingredients until the texture is smooth. If necessary, you can add 1/4 cup of water to thin out the mixture to get a smoother mixture.

This recipe makes 1 serving.

Serve and enjoy!

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