If there's one thing most people wish they had, it's more energy. Our ultra-busy culture makes it hard for us to find the time to accomplish what we want. We may often be faced with trade-offs that leave us unsatisfied or always wishing we could do more.
While there's nothing in the world that beats a good work-life balance, there are a lot of tools that can help improve our energy and focus. Why does focus matter? It helps us channel our energy into the most useful channels.
Think of it this way: You are at work, trying to tackle a mounting to-do list. Without enough concentration, all the energy you have gets spent trying to get work done. You may wind up over-emphasizing certain tasks, missing out on others and losing time and productivity.
By finding greater focus, you can improve how you spend your energy. In turn, you get to enjoy a more fulfilling life with more time and ability to do the things you want.
As a registered dietitian, I believe food is one of the best ways people can motivate themselves and improve their lives. That being said, a healthy diet is only one option. In addition to eating well, you can also try supplements backed by science to make yourself feel even better.
Today, we're taking a look at Neuro Mints. Do they work? Are they worth your money? And just how can mints make you focus better and feel more energized?
Quick Summary of Neuro Mints Review
| Product: | Mints for Energy & Focus, Calm & Clarity |
| Brand: | Neuro |
| Website: | getneuro.com |
| Best for: | Those looking to improve their energy and focus, or calm and clarity by taking refreshing mints |
| Price: | $24 for a 1x purchase ($4 per pack), or $21.60 if you subscribe ($3.60 per pack). You can also save money by buying more at one time. |
| Flavors: | Peppermint, Cinnamon |
| Subscription Option: | ✔ |
| Avg. User Rating: | 4.8/5 ⭐ (2,092 reviews) |
| GW Rating: | 4.5/5 ⭐ |
Introducing Neuro Mints
Neuro Mints are made by the brand Neuro, which specializes in mints and gum. They got their start on Shark Tank and have gone on to earn features in major publications, like Forbes and the New York Times.
Neuro breaks down their products into three categories:
- Energy and Focus
- Calm and Clarity
- Ideal State
They strive to make mints and gum that help you find your balance. They call “the zone” the perfect place between a slump and feeling jittery. Many products that promote energy can lead to an irritable, even anxious after-effect.
Neuro Mints aim to give you a dose of energy without pushing you into a caffeine craze. They fall under the “Energy and Focus” category, and rely on natural caffeine, L-theanine and B vitamins to bring you a natural boost.
Pros
I dug deep into Neuro Mints to get a good idea of what benefits they may provide. I also took a look at online reviews to see what customers had to say about the product.
Clear Ingredient List
To start off, the biggest pro is that Neuro Mints has a transparent ingredient list. They include not only the quantity but amount of each component so you are fully aware of what you're consuming.
In the supplement world, it can be challenging for consumers to know if they're really getting the best products. Companies may use terms like “all-natural” or “organic” to attract buyers, but unless you know how to research these claims, you could be at risk of purchasing products that are not as healthy as advertised.
Extensive Third-Party Testing
Neuro Mints have undergone testing to ensure they contain no harmful additives or contaminants. They boast NSF International approval and are compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Whenever you consider energy supplements, it's crucial to look at a company's testing process. While they may not have any bad intention, some companies may not be fully aware of what contaminants can under their products during the manufacturing process.
Even certain production methods can result in bacteria that put consumers at risk. Third-party testing is an act of good faith; companies must pay to have their products tested and gain approval.
Compliance ensures that a product is safe to use. The FDA and WADA are the two leading regulatory bodies in the supplement world.
An Alternative to Coffee or Energy Drinks
With so many demands in their lives, people are becoming increasingly reliant on caffeine to make it through the day. While there are some health benefits to coffee, they don't increase by consuming more than the recommended amount, which is two 8-ounce cups per day.
Energy drinks, on the other hand, are packed full of sugar and contain a slew of synthetic additives. It's easy to become dependent on them, and they may even lead to higher stress and anxiety as high levels of caffeine activate the central nervous system.
Because they contain far less caffeine than their counterparts, Neuro Mints could be a viable alternative to give you a boost without leaving you jittery or irritable.
Subscription Option
If you try Neuro Mints and enjoy them, you can save money thanks to a membership program. Signing up for a monthly subscription qualifies customers for a 10% discount on their purchase.
Affordability is another major factor to consider when exploring the pros and cons of a product. Many dietary supplements are overpriced, and they can be difficult to manage with a budget.
When a company puts effort into making their products accessible through pricing options, it's a positive sign that they care about their consumers.
Clean Production Process
Neruo uses a cold-compression method to extract caffeine from their plants. This leads to greater bioavailability when you consume a mint. Bioavailability is the amount of a substance that enters the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body through absorption.
Higher bioavailability leads to greater effects. Thanks to a more natural production you can experience more benefits for a lower dosage.
Money-back Guarantee
Neuro offers every customer a “100% happiness guarantee”. If you order their mints and are not happy with them for any reason, they'll give you a full refund. So, if you're on the fence but think they have promise, it's a low-risk purchase.
Variety of Size Options
Neuro Mints come in three packages:
- A six-pack of 72 pieces for $24
- A 12 pack of 144 pieces for $$42
- A bulk bag of 180 pieces for $45
I suggest trying the cheapest option first to see how your body responds. If you enjoy the mints and find them beneficial, you can save more by purchasing future orders in larger quantities.
Cons
The good news is that Neuro Mints do not present a large amount of disadvantages. Even through research, nothing negative or potentially harmful about the products is evident. That being said, there are two potential downsides you should know about.
Risk of Over-caffeination
Because the mints are bite-size and flavored, you may be tempted to snack on them. Neuro suggests taking two mints to replace one cup of coffee. While 80 milligrams of caffeine is okay by itself, taking four to six mints could lead to a caffeine overdose.
Caffeine overdoses can cause respiratory and cardiovascular distress. You should be fully aware of any risks of this before you start taking the mints. Make sure you do not minimize their risk simply because they're bite-size.
Health Complications
Although the ingredients in Neuro Mints are generally safe, they are not without risk. Caffeine can interact with some prescription medications, like antidepressants, antipsychotics and antibiotics.
You should talk to your doctor about whether Neuro Mints is safe for you. Show them the ingredients list and have full medical approval before you try them.
Overdependence
Some of the reviews for Neuro Mints list their struggles, like being stressed in school or being an overworked, single parent. While Neuro Mints may help them manage things more effectively, there is a risk of being reliant on them to get through the day.
You should not look to supplements as a solution for real problems. If you are burnt out, for example, having more energy isn't the answer. It's important to listen to your body and respect the signals it sends you.
Claimed Benefits Analysis
The two main benefits Neuro promotes are more energy and the ability to stay focused. Both of these are possible with the ingredients they present, but let's take a closer look about how the mints could help.
Energy
With 40 milligrams of caffeine in each mint, you can experience a rise in energy levels after the recommended dose of two. However, if you are already accustomed to drinking large volumes of coffee, you may not experience the desired effects.
Caffeine gives you energy by blocking the production of a chemical called adenosine. Adenosine's primary function is to induce and regulate sleep. That's well and good, but where does the “rush” we associate with coffee and energy drinks come from? That's thanks to adrenaline.
Adrenaline can help you concentrate and feel more alert, but it has its downsides. Too much adrenaline can activate the body's “fight-flight-or-freeze” response. If you struggle with anxiety, having more caffeine in your system may worsen symptoms.
That being said, the caffeine amount in Neuro Mints is safe for the average coffee drinker, and they can lead to a gentle rather than fast-and-furious energy boost.
To enhance and balance the effects of its natural caffeine, Neuro also includes the amino acid L-theanine. This is predominantly found in green tea, a milder coffee alternative that many people enjoy.
Maintain Focus
Our ability to concentrate stems more from our guts than our brains. Oddly enough, the bulk of our neurotransmitters are produced in the gastrointestinal tract. THis means that what you eat has a profound impact on cognitive performance.
Tasks like attention, focus, problem-solving and recollection can all be enhanced or slowed down by what you eat. Neuro's use of vitamins B6 and B12 could aid focus by lowering stress levels.
Both B vitamins help stimulate the production of serotonin and norepinephrine. These chemicals can lower stress, stabilize mood and make it easier to concentrate. It doesn't mean that you will magically start to feel your attention span shift after taking these mints, however.
Key Ingredients
Neuro Mints use four main ingredients to achieve their desired result. Let's take a look at each one a bit more closely.
Natural Caffeine: 40 Milligrams
Natural caffeine, along with a healthy diet, may improve your memory and overall cognitive function.
If you already drink coffee, tea or energy drinks, make sure you factor in this added amount to your total daily consumption.
L-theanine: 60 MG
L-theanine is an amino acid present in green tea and some types of mushrooms. It may improve brain function, lower anxiety and reduce stress. Although it is widely used in dietary supplements, there is no definitive scientific proof of its purported benefits.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): 60% DV
Vitamin B6 helps strengthen the immune system, and it may be able to lower depression and improve overall mood. Because your body cannot produce vitamin B6 on its own, you need to have it through your diet.
Without vitamin B6, you could experience a deficiency that leads to lower moods and weakened immunity.
Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin): 100% DV
Vitamin B12 benefits blood and nerve cell health and helps produce DNA. Fortified foods, like poultry, fish and dairy products, can give you B12 in your daily diet.
The presence of B12 in Neuro Mints covers 100% of the average adult's daily value (DV). Taking it can improve nerve pain, brain function and mood. Many people who struggle with physical nerve and emotional disturbances have nutritional deficiencies.
How Do They Taste?
Users report Neuro Mints to taste refreshing. There are two flavors available: peppermint or cinnamon.
Who Should Try It?
Anyone who can safely take caffeine and wants to swap out a cup of coffee with a simple alternative should try Neuro Mints. For those who want to stay focused during difficult times of the day and be more productive, Neuro Mints are a great choice.
Costs and Where to Buy
Neuro Mints price ranges from $24 to $45 depending on the quantity of mints. You can buy them directly through the company's site.
Honest Customer Reviews and Average Rating
Neuro Mints have favorable reviews among consumers and boast an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars with a large sample size of 2,092 honest customer reviews. People love that they are vegan, sugar-free and gluten-free, saying that they feel healthy using the mints.
Click to Read more (honest) reviews
Alternatives Compared to Neuro Mints for Energy and Focus
If you're comparing your options, there are some other energy-enhancing supplements that you may enjoy. These come in various forms, including drink mixes, capsules and tea. It's always helpful to explore the market and find the right ingredients for your needs.
Here are some suggestions to consider:
If you are able to safely consume the ingredients in Neuro Mints, then you should also be able to take the products above. Remember to read each one's make-up to ensure it doesn't conflict with any medications you're taking.
Are Neuro Mints Effective? A Dietitian’s Recommendation
Neuro Mints may be able to make you feel more energized and aid focus. It seems that they would be best taken as an afternoon pick-me-up, but you shouldn't take them throughout the day as this could lead to over-caffeination.
To improve energy and feel more focused in your life, sleep, diet and hydration are your best friends. While there are plenty of great supplements out there, nothing beats eating a nutritionally balanced diet and getting enough sleep.
Hydration is also important because it aids every process throughout the body. Make sure that you stay physically active as well; exercise is a natural mood booster that can raise energy levels without the need for any added substances.
The Final Verdict: As long as your doctor considers it a safe choice, Neuro Mints could be a good alternative to drinking coffee. The use of natural caffeine and amino acids make it a healthy supplement worth trying if you are trying to feel more energized during your day.
