6 Amazing Health Benefits Of Black Pepper

Black pepper (Piper nigrum), also called as the king of spices has featured a lot of health benefits. The major benefit of consuming pepper is that it aids in weight loss and helps in reducing cold and cough. It has active compound Piperine which may have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Laboratory studies have also suggested that black pepper may improve cholesterol levels, blood sugar control, and brain and gut health. In ancient times Rome used to Import Pepper as it was most valuable item for them. Hence, the name given to Pepper was Yavanapriya.

Some foods are considerably healthier than others from a nutritional perspective, and certain foods are considered extra beneficial by health professionals and nutritionists. Black pepper is just such an example. Not only is black pepper a useful flavoring element, but it’s also a rich source of minerals and nutrients. Best of all, it’s easy to incorporate black pepper into your diet. Read this guide to find out more about this versatile seasoning.

* Used in Ayurveda Remedies

Many established societies use black pepper in a remedial way. Because of the black pepper health benefits, Ayurveda remedies frequently contain the seasoning. Black pepper—in combination with substances like castor oil or ghee—is used as an appetite stimulant, a breathing aid, and a cough therapy. It is also sometimes used to treat:

Colic
Anemia
Heart trouble
Diabetes

* Keeps Your Food Fresh

Black pepper contains antimicrobial compounds that help keep food fresh. Many anthropologists believe that peppercorns were a part of early food-preservation techniques. You can use black pepper in combination with salt to cure and flavor a wide variety of meats.

* Reduces Inflammation

Add a little pepper to your snack to help combat a headache. Interestingly, the piperine found in black pepper is an anti-inflammatory. Researchers recently studied piperine’s effects on pain perception as well as its anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects. The results indicated that piperine blocked the expression of a gene responsible for arthritis and also reduced pain perception and inflammation. In short, black pepper contains a natural painkiller.

* Rich in Vitamins and Minerals

The nutritional content of black pepper is far more diverse than you might think. The innocuous-looking substance contains a generous quantity of vitamin A and is rich in vitamins C and K.

* Antioxidants Galore

Black pepper is also an antioxidant haven. Various studies conducted over the last quarter century show that increased antioxidant consumption has a positive effect on certain health conditions. One six-year trial, during which participants regularly took an antioxidant vitamin mixture, revealed a reduction in age-related macular degeneration. Antioxidant consumption may also reduce the risk of certain cancers as well as heart disease.

* Enhances Nutrient Absorption

Black pepper health benefits don’t stop there. Piperine, the compound responsible for pepper’s taste, also aids the absorption of other nutrients. Several recent studies have shown that piperine actually increases the bioavailability—and consequent effectiveness—of certain other substances, including curcumin. Curcumin, which is found in turmeric, may reduce the severity of several major diseases in humans, including pancreatic cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and psoriasis. If piperine can help the body absorb curcumin, the combination could lead to new medical treatments.