peppermint
Herbs & Spices
Is peppermint high in polyols?
Find out whether peppermint is high or low in polyols, see its exact rating, and check its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility all in one place.
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Compare peppermint across criteria
Sensitivity notes
Why polyols food checker matters
Polyols (sugar alcohols) are found naturally in some fruits and vegetables, and are used as artificial sweeteners. They're poorly absorbed and can cause digestive symptoms, especially in IBS sufferers.
- Avoid sugar-free products with sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol
- Stone fruits are naturally high in polyols
- Cooking doesn't reduce polyol content
Triggers
Diets
Serving size, prep, and portion notes for peppermint
Peppermint is one of the few foods that is genuinely both medicine and trigger, and which one you get depends on where in the gut it lands. Enteric coated peppermint oil is among the better evidenced treatments for IBS: menthol blocks calcium channels in intestinal smooth muscle, which relaxes spasm and eases pain and bloating. The catch is that the same relaxing effect works on the lower oesophageal sphincter, the valve keeping stomach acid down, so peppermint is a classic reflux aggravator and heartburn is the most reported side effect of uncoated peppermint oil. On the food chemistry side peppermint grades C for salicylates and C for oxalate, with everything else clean: A for histamine, A across all FODMAP columns and A for paleo or AIP.
Watch for
Relaxes the lower oesophageal sphincter, so peppermint oil, strong mints and mint flavoured foods can worsen reflux, heartburn and that burning throat feeling even in people whose IBS improves on it / Salicylates grade C, which puts peppermint in the moderate band: relevant if you follow an RPAH style elimination, and the oil is many times more concentrated than the leaf / Oxalate grades C, so peppermint is a moderate rather than trivial contributor if you are managing kidney stones and using mint heavily / Enteric coated capsules exist precisely so the oil does not release in the stomach: an uncoated oil, a peppermint sweet or a mint chewing gum gives the reflux downside without the targeted intestinal benefit / Peppermint oil is potent enough to matter at very small doses, so treat it as a supplement to log rather than as a herb
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Polyols Guide
Everything you need to know about polyols sensitivity and smart food choices.
Polyols (sugar alcohols) are found naturally in some fruits and vegetables, and are used as artificial sweeteners. They're poorly absorbed and can cause digestive symptoms, especially in IBS sufferers.
Sensitivity varies widely. What triggers one person may be fine for another. Track your reactions to find your personal threshold.
These foods are generally well-tolerated for Polyols sensitivity:
View all safe options
These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in polyols and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
If you're sensitive to Polyols, consider these strategies:
- 1Avoid sugar-free products with sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol
- 2Stone fruits are naturally high in polyols
- 3Cooking doesn't reduce polyol content
- 4Avocado portion size matters - small amounts may be fine
- 5Cauliflower and mushrooms are common triggers
Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.
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Get the AppFAQ
Is peppermint high in Polyols?
Polyols: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat peppermint if I'm sensitive to Polyols?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Salicylates, Oxalates, and Nickel next for a fuller picture.