Photo: Julia Larson

Are mints OK for weight loss?

But there is no evidence that mint can do anything on its own to speed up metabolism or melt away pounds. If you really want to try using mint as part of your weight loss plan, there is one surefire way: Replace all your calorie-laden caramel lattes and colas with calorie-free peppermint tea.

prevention.com - Do Weight Loss Patches Work? - Japanese Mint Slimming Patches

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Stick-on weight-loss patches infused with Japanese mint are the newest “get thin quick” gimmick buzzing around the internet. The ads make them seem irresistible— “Have you tried to lose weight? This is a dream solution for you!” But are these a true scientific breakthrough or another way to simply separate you from $7.99 plus tax and shipping?

According to some dubious-looking sites, these patches were supposedly developed by a Japanese doctor (different web sites give different names for this mysterious genius, but none provide any links to any research, nor do they even give a first name so you can look up the doctor’s credentials on your own), and they claim to eliminate all the pesky work of eating nutritious foods and exercising. You simply slap on the sticky patch, and within hours it will “trigger fat cells to reduce body fat by a magical mechanism without making the skin loose,” according to the very scientific description on one site. Well, magical fat-reducing slimming patches are a dream solution, if by “dream” you mean a complete fantasy that evaporates as soon as you wake up. “If the solution to obesity were as simple as wearing a patch, then there would be no obesity epidemic with a whole field of science devoted to working on it,” points out Rekha Kumar, M.D., medical director of the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) and an assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. Dr. Kumar does sympathize those who are curious about these products, however: “The proven methods to lose weight—calorie-restricted dieting and exercise—are very challenging for so many people. You get hungry, you don’t have the time to exercise, or you’re scared about getting started, so the concept of a quick fix is very attractive.” You may be thinking, so, even it doesn’t work, what’s the harm in trying? Before you press “checkout,” here’s what you should know:

What exactly is Japanese mint?

Known by the scientific name mentha canadensis, Japanese mint is found, yes, in Japan, as well and other Asian countries such as China and Java—but it’s also found all over North America, where it’s called Canada mint or American mint. So, basically, this is a very common, very international variety of mint.

Does it have any special qualities?

Mint has been used for centuries to treat all kinds of ailments, from nausea to bad breath to IBS, with limited research to back it up. But there is no evidence that mint can do anything on its own to speed up metabolism or melt away pounds. If you really want to try using mint as part of your weight loss plan, there is one surefire way: Replace all your calorie-laden caramel lattes and colas with calorie-free peppermint tea.

Can a patch actually help you lose weight?

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So here is where it gets interesting. Transdermal patches are used for many health reasons—birth control, smoking cessation, and pain management. They release medication through the skin, where it enters the bloodstream. And there are also FDA-approved medications that are injected under the skin for weight loss, says Dr. Kumar. “So, in theory, a transdermal patch could help with appetite control and weight loss,” she says. However, Dr. Kumar points out, there are no clinically proven, FDA-approved patches on the market. And not only are the weight-loss patches you can order on the web not approved, there is absolutely zero evidence that any of the herbal ingredients in them can do a thing for weight loss. “If you look at some of the ingredients listed in these patches, such as mint, açai berry, and green tea, they have all been touted for weight loss before, but none of them have been proven to be effective,” she says.

Can this patch actually help you lose weight?

If you cut calories and increase exercising while you’re wearing the patch, sure, you’ll lose weight. But that will happen whether you slap on a Japanese mint weight loss patch or a sticker with a cute kitten on it from the dollar store. If you wear the patch and don’t make any lifestyle changes, well, you’ll just have a very sweet-smelling decoration.

Is there any harm in trying it?

Once again, Dr. Kumar points out that none of these products are regulated, which means you really have no idea what’s actually in that patch you’re slapping on your skin. “You have to be concerned about two things: Is what they’re saying is in there actually in there; and are there harmful ingredients in there that are not listed?” In the end, you should follow this rule about any product you buy on the internet that claims to have medical or weight loss benefits: Be skeptical, ask your doctor, and proceed with caution. Meanwhile, if you want to lose weight, find a healthy diet that appeals to you, hit the gym, and save the mint for your mojitos. Like what you just read? You’ll love our magazine! Go here to subscribe. Don’t miss a thing by downloading Apple News here and following Prevention. Oh, and we’re on Instagram too.

prevention.com - Do Weight Loss Patches Work? - Japanese Mint Slimming Patches

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