All people are familiar with the taste of mint treats. But few people think about why this is happening.
What is included in mint?
To answer this question, you have to figure out what is included in the mint and whether it really is only in the fragrant grass.
We will not describe all the components that make up this plant. It is enough to know that one of them is menthol. It creates a feeling of coolness.
Manufacturers of food, chemical and household products know about this feature and widely apply the properties of plants.
Therefore, mints are not only sweets or chewing gum. Tooth-flavors produce toothpastes, mouthwashes, sprays, etc. Menthol, acting on the receptors of the human tongue, creates a feeling of freshness and coolness..
Why do people feel the action of menthol?
The fact is that in the human language there are many receptors. And they are all different. Each zone is responsible for the perception of a particular taste. But receptors are also responsible for sensing the temperature of food. This is important, otherwise the person would have simply died by eating too hot or icy food.
From school, we know that the brain controls our body. And signals about changes in the external environment, about pain, about a decrease or increase in temperature are fed to him by nerve endings. The brain determines what to do next. Therefore, we pull our hand away from the flame without thinking about it.
The same thing happens when eating peppermint.Menthol acts on the receptors, which are responsible for the sensation of temperature and warn the brain that the mouth has become cool. But the cold is pleasant, we like it, a feeling of freshness arises, we are in no hurry to spit out a mint treat.
Interesting fact: red pepper contains capsaicin. This element causes a feeling of heat, fire. Therefore, we feel that our mouth is “burning”.
Is such a sensation dangerous for the body?
Menthol is not considered an important component without which a person cannot live. If you do not eat foods containing this substance, nothing tragic will happen.
Attention! Rare cases of food allergies to peppermint have been reported. In fact, the body does not tolerate the action of menthol.
Therefore, when choosing a treat or toothpaste, focus on the individual characteristics of the body. It is not recommended to give mint treats to children if you do not know the body's reaction to menthol. In most cases, menthol is not harmful to humans.
What foods contain menthol?
Menthol is found only in mint. But there are several varieties of this herb. They differ in the amount of substance contained. For example, there is a lot of menthol in peppermint, but in dog mint it is not at all. Not all peppermint varieties are eaten.
Interesting fact: “Catnip” variety has a sharp aroma that attracts cats. Hence the name.
Mint is found in the wild on almost all continents of the globe. This is not a very whimsical plant. But it is clear that providing manufacturers with the right amount of raw materials would still be difficult. Therefore, menthol is produced artificially. This product is also used in industry.
Thus, tongue receptors and menthol contained in mint are responsible for the feeling of cold in the mouth. If necessary, the plant can be grown even at home. Menthol is not dangerous for the human body if there is no individual intolerance to the substance.
