{"id":9447,"date":"2017-06-29T12:37:29","date_gmt":"2017-06-29T19:37:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fxnutrition.com\/?p=9447"},"modified":"2025-08-28T15:16:44","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T15:16:44","slug":"holistic-nutrition-for-digestive-health-peppermint-nib-ice-cream","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fxnutrition.com\/blog\/holistic-nutrition-for-digestive-health-peppermint-nib-ice-cream","title":{"rendered":"Holistic Nutrition for Digestive Health: Peppermint Nib Ice Cream"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If asked to name his favorite sweet treat \u2014 cookies, cake, or ice cream \u2014 my son Gilbert\u2019s\u00a0 answer would come up \u201cice cream\u201d every single time. And although Gilbert has lost his hankering for most sweets as he\u2019s grown older, every so often he can\u2019t resist an all time favorite\u2026 Summertime sweetness and a scoop of ice cream! There\u2019s really nothing that can beat that.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nothing, of course, except for a digestive system that\u2019s running in tip-top (mint!) condition, allowing you to enjoy your food and elevate your mood. If you know me, I often make summertime communications all about loving our guts with some digestive superfoods near and dear to my core. Speaking of, did you know that in Chinese medicine, summer is the month of the small intestine? It\u2019s the perfect time to bring in some special foods that do double-duty to nourish your insides while tickling your taste buds. <\/span>And, yeah, it\u2019s also a good time for ice cream! <\/span><\/i>Can you guess where we\u2019re going with this?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b>Peppermint: The summer lovin\u2019 ingredient that might just be growing in your garden<\/span><\/h3>\n
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There are about 25 different species of mint. Peppermint in particular is a natural hybrid between Mentha aquatica (water mint) and Mentha spicata (spearmint) that thrive during warm summer months.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>But you don\u2019t have to stick to just plain peppermint; you can often find fun varieties like orange, lavender, ginger, pineapple, and yes, even chocolate mint. Rest assured, these are actual varieties of plants, not fake flavorings!<\/span><\/p>\n

A journey to digestive comfort with mint<\/span><\/h2>\n

Peppermint is renowned for its digestive benefits, especially in relieving symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), like pain, cramps and spasms. Multiple clinical trials have shown peppermint\u2019s potential to activate an anti-pain channel in the colon, known as TRPM8.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Trials generally use enteric-coated peppermint capsules, but about 1\/4 cup of fresh peppermint leaves delivers an amount similar to a typical peppermint capsule if you prefer to be playful with food instead of supplements.<\/span> In fact, just the smell of mint activates the salivary glands in your mouth to secrete digestive enzymes, aiding in metabolism and digestion. It\u2019s why you\u2019ll often see mint included in appetizers or as palate cleansers at a fancy restaurant.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Traditional cultures use peppermint to help relieve nausea due to motion sickness or other stomach unease. Keep peppermint tea in your pantry or take along sugar-free (xylitol sweetened) peppermint gum when you might be in motion. Pair it with ginger for an extra herbal punch.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And we can\u2019t forget that peppermint helps freshen your breath. While that might not help with digestion directly, it\u2019s sure to help keep your mouth (and those around you) happy!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If you suffer from heartburn, be cautious with peppermint. Some studies show that it can relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES is the valve between your stomach and esophagus, which can be a contributing factor to heartburn. That\u2019s not to say that it\u2019s not right for you, but you\u2019ll want to bring peppermint in slowly to observe how your body responds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Five ways to add peppermint into your daily routine:<\/span><\/h2>\n
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  1. make peppermint tea by muddling fresh herbs and steeping in hot water or opting for prepared peppermint tea<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. add a handful of fresh peppermint to your smoothie (it complements just about any fruit)<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. add chopped peppermint to roasted veggies, green salads, fresh fruit, dressings and soups<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. add a drop of peppermint essential oil (therapeutic grade) to your water or tea<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. grow your own; it\u2019s especially happy outside during the warm summer months but it can thrive inside on a sunny windowsill all winter long.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Peppermint Nib Ice Cream<\/span><\/h3>\n

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    If the warm summer days leave you craving ice cream, you\u2019re not alone! When thinking about how to incorporate peppermint into a playful recipe, I said\u2026 ice cream please! This homemade ice cream is not only delicious, but also gluten-free and vegan-friendly.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Ingredients<\/strong><\/p>\n