Health Benefits of Black Pepper
Black pepper grows in India and other tropical Asian countries.
Black pepper is one of the most commonly used spices in the world.
Black pepper and white pepper both come from the same plant species.
But they are prepared differently.
Black pepper is made by cooking the dried unripe fruit.
White pepper is made by cooking and drying the ripe seeds.
Black pepper is one of the most commonly used spices worldwide.
It's made by grinding peppercorns, which are dried berries from the vine Piper nigrum.
It has a sharp and mildly spicy flavor that goes well with many dishes.
But black pepper is more than just a kitchen staple.
It has been deemed the "king of spices" and used in ancient Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years due to its high concentration of potent, beneficial plant compounds.
9 Science backed health benefits of black pepper
1. High in antioxidants
Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage your cells.
Excess free radical damage may lead to major health problems.
Black pepper is rich in a plant compound called piperine, which test-tube studies have found to have potent antioxidant properties.
Studies suggest that a diet high in antioxidants may help prevent or delay the damaging effects of free radicals.
Test-tube and rodent studies have observed that ground black pepper and piperine supplements may reduce free radical damage.
2. May benefit your brain
Piperine has been shown to improve brain function in animal studies.
In particular, it has demonstrated potential benefits for symptoms related to degenerative brain conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
3. Has anti inflammatory properties
Chronic inflammation may be an underlying factor in many conditions, such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Many laboratory studies suggest that piperine the main active compound in black pepper may effectively fight inflammation.
4. May improve blood sugar control
Studies suggest that piperine may help improve blood sugar metabolism.
86 overweight people taking a supplement containing piperine and other compounds for 8 weeks experienced significant improvements in insulin sensitivity a measure of how well the hormone insulin removes glucose from the bloodstream.
5. May have cancer fighting properties
Researchers hypothesize that the active compound in black pepper, piperine, may have cancer fighting properties.
Though no human trials have been performed, test tube studies found that piperine slowed the replication of breast, prostate, and colon cancer cells and induced cancer cell death.
6. Boosts absorption of nutrients.
Black pepper may increase the absorption of essential nutrients like calcium and selenium, as well some beneficial plant compounds, such as those found in green tea and turmeric.
7. May promote gut health.
The makeup of your gut bacteria has been linked to immune function, mood, chronic diseases, and more.
Preliminary research suggests that black pepper may increase the good bacteria in your gut.
8. May offer pain relief.
Black pepper may be a natural pain relieve.
9. May reduce appetite.
In a small study, 16 adults reported reduced appetite after drinking a black-pepper-based beverage compared to flavored water.
2 Easy Home Remedies For Common Cold with Black Pepper
Black Pepper And Honey Tonic For Cold
Black pepper is antibacterial and antibiotic in nature, due to the presence of immunity-boosting Vitamin C in it.
It is commonly used to remedy cold by crushing black peppercorns and adding them to a teaspoon of honey.
Honey is known to soothe a sore throat, suppress cough and can boost the cold fighting action of black peppercorn.
You may add a few drops of warm water to the crushed peppercorns and honey, in order to dilute it and make it more palatable.
Consume this honey and black pepper tonic early in the morning to fight symptoms of cold.
Black Pepper Tea For Cold
Indians love their chai and the milky concoction is particularly popular during winters, as the caffeine indulgence energises the body, removing the sluggishness that sets in during cold weather and is also said to warm your body from inside. However, if one is suffering from cold, one may add freshly crushed black pepper or black pepper powder, along with sea salt instead of sugar to their cups of chai.
