AMAZING HEALTH BENEFITS OF BLACK PEPPER

Black pepper is one of the most common spices used in different cuisines around the world. It is used in both whole and grounded form. It contains potassium, magnesium, iron, vitamin K and vitamin C. Apart from a strong flavour, it also has certain health benefits which must be taken into account.

The health benefits of black pepper include relief from respiratory disorders, coughs, the common cold, constipation, indigestion, anemia, impotency, muscular strains, dental disease, pyorrhea, diarrhea, and heart disease.

• Black pepper (Piper nigrum) stimulates the taste buds in such a way that an alert is sent to to the stomach to increase hydrochloric acid secretion, thereby improving digestion.
• Black pepper has long been recognized as a carminitive, (a substance that helps prevent the formation of intestinal gas), a property likely due to its beneficial effect of stimulating hydrochloric acid production. In addition, black pepper has diaphoretic (promotes sweating), and diuretic (promotes urination) properties.
• Black pepper has demonstrated impressive antioxidant and antibacterial effects--yet another way in which this wonderful seasoning promotes the health of the digestive tract.
• Peppercorns contain an impressive list of plant derived chemical compounds that are known to have disease preventing and health promoting properties. Peppers have been in use since ancient times for its anti-inflammatory, carminative, anti-flatulent properties.
• Peppercorns are composed of health benefiting essential oils such as piperine, an amine alkaloid, which gives strong spicy pungent character to the pepper. It also contains numerous monoterpenes hydrocarbons such as sabinene, pinene, terpenene, limonene, mercene, etc., which gives aromatic property to the pepper.
• Black peppercorns contain a good amount of minerals like potassium, calcium, zinc, manganese, iron, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron is essential for cellular respiration and blood cell production.
• Peppercorns are a good source of many anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamin-C and vitamin-A. They are also rich in flavonoid polyphenolic anti-oxidants like carotenes, cryptoxanthin, zea-xanthin and lycopene. These compounds help the body remove harmful free radicals and help protect from cancers and diseases.
• Black pepper helps in treating diseases caused due to bacteria. The influence of black pepper has been observed while treating conditions like constipation, diarrhoea and colic.
• Surprisingly, the spice is also acts as a remedy for cough and cold. The antibacterial properties of black pepper are used for treating respiratory disorders.
• Black pepper helps in boosting metabolism in the body. It burns unwanted calories and helps in reducing belly fat. Black pepper is very effective against obesity. Daily consumption of black pepper helps in reducing stomach related problems.
• The use of black pepper in diet helps to improve skin condition and promotes weight loss. Black pepper finds it application in Ayurveda also. If you have not tried black pepper in the daily diet, go for it.
• Black pepper is helpful in improving dental health. It helps fight tooth decay and provides quick relief from tooth ache.
• Black pepper is a natural anti-depressant. Piperine present in black pepper acts as an anti-depressant and stimulates the nervous system. As a result of that, the cognitive capacity is improved.
• Black pepper should be consumed in moderate quantities and not in excess as it’s a spice and not a food type. Used together with other ingredients like turmeric, fenugreek, cinnamon and cumin, it formulates a great combination of spices. In one table-spoon (6 grams) of black pepper, there are 15.9 calories, 4.1 grams of carbohydrates and 0 grams of fat and cholesterol. Sodium content is about 3mg, carbohydrates are 4 grams and dietary fibers are 2 grams.