MadSci Network: Neuroscience |
No, sucking on peppermints does not improve your scores on a test. In fact, the chemical in peppermint actually makes your intelligence level lower, since that chemical is a depressant and it makes your body calm down more. Most of the effect of "peppermint candy" is the sugar in the candy. The sugar will make you feel very "energetic" for only a short time, when your blood sugar rises. But after that short period is over, your blood sugar falls fast, and it falls below your original blood sugar level. It is much better to use something that keeps your blood sugar at a constant level, such as the proteins found in nuts, or the natural fruit sugars in fresh fruits. It is not a good idea to suck on, or eat, any kind of candy, during school hours, and it is especially a bad idea to eat candy during a test.
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