What makes mint minty

TRPM8 is an ion channel, a type of protein that regulates the movement of ions across the membranes of cells. Just like only certain keys can open a lock on a door, only certain stimulants can open the ion channel and access the cell. This changes the electrical charge within the neuron and the information being sent from the neuron to the central nervous system, eventually leading to the perception of cold. It also activates in the presence of menthol, a waxy, crystalline organic compound found in peppermint and other mint oils.

Why, exactly, is unknown; menthol just happens to fit the cellular "lock. The same "hey it's cold in here! Put simply, we like the idea of mint more than menthol. But what makes this really interesting is that the mouthwash, like many mint products, still produces the cooling sensation through menthol, and the mint taste wholly through artificial flavoring.

In other words, it contains no mint oil. It's a wonderful illusion. Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment: to empower through understanding. Financial contributions from our readers are a critical part of supporting our resource-intensive work and help us keep our journalism free for all.

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By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. How marketers convinced us that we all need mint to fix our bad breath. Share this story Share this on Facebook Share this on Twitter Share All sharing options Share All sharing options for: How marketers convinced us that we all need mint to fix our bad breath. Reddit Pocket Flipboard Email. All these products have one thing in common: their default flavor is mint. So how did mint come to stand in for freshness?

Here's the story. A brief history of mouth care Peppermint leaves. How mint took over Two companies helped push mint to dominate the freshness market. A Pepsodent ad from Pepsodent Duhigg argues that Hopkins was exploiting the cue-routine-reward cycle , which research has since shown to underly the formation of all sorts of habits.

This feature was produced in collaboration between Vox Creative and Infiniti. Vox Media editorial staff was not involved in the creation or production of this content. Mint has never been just a flavor — it has straddled the line between something medicinal and something that smells good. Mint is a fragrant herb, yes, but so are rosemary, sage, lavender, and thyme. So how did mint become the flavor of choice for just about every toothpaste on the market?

Why are breath mints called breath mints? That's because of a unique chemical element: menthol and the cooling sensation that menthol creates.

We associate that cold feeling with freshness which may have as much to do with marketing as anything , and so mint has the ability to make our mouths feel clean, whether or not they really are.

Menthol also works as a pest repellent it's much more overwhelming for a creature a fraction of our size , and it's an analgesic which is why it's good for cough drops. But more than anything it's what makes the flavor of mint so appealing as a breath freshener. Here's how mint became the king of oral hygiene and a major American industry. Menthol is a natural chemical compound found in the herb.

The leaves and the stems of the herbs carry menthol. Menthol also accounts for the strong aromatic smell. For hundreds of years, people thought the cooling effect of menthol had to do with how it evaporated and that when applied it lowered the temperature of your mouth or skin. Within the last 50 years scientists found that menthol does not decrease surface temperature. Menthol is actually tricking the brain into thinking a cough drop is cold or a muscle salve is cooling your skin.

In , scientists proved that menthol has the ability to bind to and open up pores or cold- sensitive nerve receptors, a protein called TRPM8. They believe, by opening up these channels, menthol helps your mouth or skin receive more outside air which is typically quite a bit cooler than the air inside your body or on its surface.

Peppermint typically has a high percentage of menthol, sometimes four times the amount found in spearmint. The less menthol in a mint makes the taste milder and the smell less pungent and more delicate.

In addition to toothpastes, menthol may be found in mouthwash, as well as mint teas and gums. Typically, if you want a strong minty sensation go with peppermint, if you prefer a more subtle experience choose spearmint.

As usual, nature is clever and the answers aren't what we might think. Learn what we mean by natural Explore our ingredients.