Black pepper has many healthy benefits than most people know about. Black pepper is a spice that has the potential to make food more beneficial when used in various recipes and as a table spice. In Kerala, many start their day with a cup of black coffee with a pinch of black pepper powder. The aroma of freshly ground black pepper is difficult to ignore. Below are the health benefits of pepper –
1. Loaded with Antioxidants
All of us are exposed to free radicals (toxins, chemicals, and pollutants) every single day that can damage our healthy cells. Black pepper can help repair that damage and in turn, help reduce the risk of cancer and other diseases.
2. Enhances Digestion
Black pepper stimulates the entire digestive system, from the salivary glands to the large intestine including the all-important digestive juices such as bile and acids that help digest our food.
Those dealing with ulcers, either in the mouth or digestive system, or have been instructed to be on a bland diet, black pepper makes a delicious, healthy alternative to chili peppers, for example, and will add great flavor to any meal.
3. Helps You Sweat
Sweating is a good for you because it helps the body remove foreign bodies and toxins. Did you know that 4% of urine is fat? Black pepper helps the body remove excess water through urination that removes urea, fat, excess water, and uric acid.
4. Treats Coughs and Colds
Common in Ayurvedic medicine, pepper is used to provide relief from nasal congestion and sinusitis by breaking up phlegm and mucus in the respiratory tract so it can be eliminated easier for a faster recovery. Enjoy a bowl of chicken noodle soup seasoned with black pepper to help treat your cough or cold.
5. Fights Infection
Black pepper is often used in Ayurvedic medicine to fight infections including insect bites. Pepper acts very similar to fiber in that it helps get rid of excess cholesterol from the arterial wall, reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis, a condition linked to stroke and heart attacks.
6. Supports Brain Function
Black pepper stimulates the chemical pathways in the brain helping to improve memory and cognitive function. For example, preliminary studies have shown that pepper is powerful in helping to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and improve memory by healing nerve damage in the hippocampus.
7. Acts as an Anti-Depressant
In addition to acting as an anti-depressant, black pepper helps you think more clearly and improves cognitive ability. It is due to the effect on the regulation of serotonin in the brain, a neurotransmitter that affects mood, as well as dopamine that supports brain function.
8. Supports Absorption of Nutrients
Adding black pepper to your food helps the body absorb the nutrients from the food that you eat, making the nutrients more accessible to your system, ensuring maximum absorption by transporting vitamins, minerals, and other compounds to different areas of the body.
9. Helps Get Rid of Gas
While this doesn’t sound pleasant, black pepper helps expel gas out of the body which is a good thing. Gas that stays within the body can put a strain on the vital organs including the upper chest cavity which is why it can make you feel uncomfortable.
10. Promotes Weight Loss
Studies have found that piperine in black pepper, the very compound that makes you sneeze, also fights the formation of fat cells. This can push you a little further towards your weight loss goals.
When it only makes your food more delicious, why think twice before using it? And with so many health benefits, it’s an amazing add to your dishes. Spice up your diet with black pepper. Why? Because it is damn good. As simple as that.