The study uncovered the benefits of the herb, which may come in handy this weekend (Image: Getty)
A recent scientific study has discovered that consuming or smelling a particular type of food can help you feel more alert, which could be beneficial for many this weekend. On Sunday (October 26), the clocks will revert an hour at 2am, signalling the conclusion of British Summer Time.
At 2am, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), all digital clocks will roll back to 1am, providing people with an additional hour in bed. All analogue clocks, such as those on ovens and physical clocks, will need to be manually adjusted.
This time adjustment, which originated during World War I, is designed to conserve energy by making better use of daylight hours. The phrase “spring forward, fall back” serves as a reminder to adjust the clock for each season.
While many will relish the extra hour of sleep, for others, it will result in them feeling more tired and lethargic as their bodies won’t be ready for the change. A number of people may experience fatigue after the clocks are turned back, as their internal body clocks, also known as circadian rhythms, are still adjusting to the shift.
While the extra hour of sleep might seem like a blessing, it can leave you feeling sluggish and groggy for several days until your body adjusts. To combat this, experts suggest establishing a calming pre-sleep routine to signal to your body that it’s time to rest, and soaking up as much natural light during the day to regulate your circadian rhythm, reports the Mirror.
Read more: Spain wants to make huge ‘clocks going back’ change as it makes plea to EU
Read more: 1 food you need to eat first thing in the morning to ensure a good night’s sleep
What is a quick fix to feel more alert?
For those seeking an immediate solution, there’s another option: indulging in a packet of peppermint sweets. A recent study suggests that consuming or inhaling peppermint can boost alertness, particularly for those battling a cold or mental fatigue.
Peppermint can be enjoyed in various forms, from sweets and tea to desserts and salads. It’s readily available at most supermarkets and health stores.
For example, Tesco is offering a packet of Trebor Extra Strong Peppermint Mints for just 80p, with approximately 17 sweets per roll, equating to about 5p per sweet.
Research shows that peppermint can enhance psychomotor speed and reaction times, while its aroma may also improve memory and focus. A team of experts at Cardiff University conducted a mission to determine whether consuming peppermints could enhance mood and alertness, especially when feeling under the weather.
The herb can help ill and healthy people feel more alert (Image: Getty)
What did the research find?
Scientists tracked 81 students over a ten-week period, with 17 falling ill with a cold during that time.Six poorly students were handed peppermints, six received butterscotch sweets, and five got nothing at all.
Meanwhile, healthy students who dodged the cold were also given peppermint. Of these, 21 received no sweets whatsoever, whilst a further 22 were given a placebo, essentially a dummy treatment.
Both groups underwent testing to measure their mood, performance levels, and how quickly they could react. Results demonstrated that catching a cold genuinely hampered participants’ abilities.
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Their eye movements and reactions became sluggish, and they felt considerably less alert. The research also uncovered that peppermint provided an alertness boost to people, whether they were poorly or in good health. However, despite heightened alertness, there was no concrete proof that it actually improved their work output.
Dr Andy Smith, who led the research team, explained that suffering from a cold can harm someone’s performance and diminish their alertness levels.
He continued: “Vapours are known to have therapeutic benefits – and aromatics, such as mint, have been shown in previous research to have an impact on our wellbeing when ill and in perfect health.
“We thought it was plausible that peppermints might help… These results show that, with the right understanding, simple things can be done to improve our wellbeing when unwell – and that includes eating a peppermint to help with a cold.”
Peppermint sweets were found to boost alertness (Image: Getty)
What else is peppermint good for?
The humble mint is brilliant for soothing tummy troubles, including bloating, indigestion and stomach cramps. It can also tackle feelings of sickness and banish headaches.
The NHS says: “Peppermint oil is a type of medicine called an antispasmodic. It helps relieve stomach cramps, bloating and farting (flatulence), particularly if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Peppermint oil comes as capsules. It’s available on prescription or to buy from a pharmacy or a shop.”
Peppermint can also help unblock stuffy airways, freshen breath and could sharpen your concentration and mental performance.
The plant also boasts germ-fighting properties and proves useful around the home for tasks like cleaning and deterring rodents.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
