Mint flavorings could help reduce symptoms of Alzheimer's, study suggests

Menthol flavorings could help stave off Alzheimer’s symptoms in some patients, a study suggests.

Spanish researchers found that a substance found in gum and other mint-flavored  foods lowered levels of proteins that caused Alzheimer’s-related brain swelling in mice.

A new study, published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology, found that smelling menthol for short bursts of time could prevent cognitive decline (file photo)

The study, which was performed on mice and published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology, found that repeatedly smelling the substance, even briefly, can prevent cognitive deterioration, a side effect of Alzheimer’s onset. 

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The aroma lowered levels of interleukin-1-beta, a protein that impacts the body’s inflammatory response. 

‘This study is an important step toward understanding the connection between the immune system, the central nervous system and smell, as the results suggest that odors and immune modulators may play an important role in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s,’ study author Dr. Noelia Casares said in a media release. 

Menthol is a naturally occurring chemical in peppermint and other mint plants. 

In the new study, researchers examined the effects of menthol on male and female mice for six months. 

They found that the aroma lowered levels of the protein interleukin-1-beta. 

This led to less inflammation in the brain, a marker of Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers then gave the mice memory tests and found that their cognitive abilities had improved.