Ditch the peppermints for nutmeg if you want fresher breath
It is the spice that lends a festive flavour to many dishes at this time of year, from mulled wine to a range of puddings and sauces. But nutmeg could also help to leave your mouth feeling fresher for longer in the mornings.
Scientists have discovered that a compound in this popular Christmas spice can produce the same cooling effect as menthol, the natural ingredient that gives mint its refreshing tingle. Experts found the compound is 30 times more potent than menthol but also gentler – avoiding the sudden unpleasant freezing sensation some mint-flavoured products produce.
The nutmeg compound, known as a neolignan, also produces a cooling effect that lasts three times longer than that of menthol. The researchers believe the compound could be used to produce new types of longer-lasting toothpaste and mouthwashes. They are now working on ways of incorporating it into other products like mints and chewing gums. There are few other natural products capable of producing this brisk, cooling effect and only a handful of synthetic compounds.