Do you know that the South Asians regularly use black pepper to add some taste to their food? And many of the South Asians don’t even know that the black pepper brings amazing benefits to the skin and health. However, we’re going to describe the benefits of it so that everyone may learn how important it is for them. So without any delay, let’s take a look at the amazing benefits of it for skin and health.
This kitchen spice that adds the extra zing to your food is also packed with health benefits. It draws its distinctive taste from an active component called piperine that’s effective against cancer. Apart from flavouring your dishes, it can help beat diseases and keep a few at bay too. Rich in iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, chromium, vitamins A and C, and other nutrients, pepper is a must in your kitchen shelf.
What Is Black Pepper? How Is It Good For You?
Scientifically called Piper nigrum, black pepper is a flowering vine that is cultivated for its fruit. This fruit is dried and used as spice and seasoning – and this is the black pepper most of us are familiar with.
The dried fruit is known as peppercorn. There are three types of peppercorns – black, green, and white.
The spice is native to South India and other parts of South Asia and has been used in Indian cooking since 2000 BC. The source of pepper exports to neighboring countries was the Malabar Coast, which is present-day Kerala.
An ounce of this spice has a lot to offer. It is a great source of magnesium, vitamin K, iron, and fiber. It also contains the essential oil piperine, which, when used in aromatherapy, helps ease aching muscles, digestive issues, and even inflammatory arthritis.
Black pepper also possesses antibacterial, antioxidant, immune-boosting, and fever-reducing properties. The pepper, according to studies, can also help individuals quit smoking and is actively used in smoking cessation treatments.
This is just a brief. As you read further, you will know what scientific research has to say about black pepper.
Improves Digestive Health
Black pepper can promote digestion as it contains enzymes and digestive juices. Your body can easily digest the food that contains black pepper in it because the black pepper* increases the body’s ability to break down the food particles. The black pepper* can also assist with the overall digestive process as it leaves a positive impact on pancreatic enzymes. It can also relieve stomach gas with its carminative properties. If you’re a victim of flatulence, black pepper* can help you out.
Prevents Cancer with Black Pepper
The studies show that black pepper* can protect you from different types of cancer. It also increases the absorption of other nutrients like beta-carotene, curcumin, selenium, and B vitamins. Thus, you’d stay safe from cancer. Black pepper* also helps in preventing colon cancer while reducing stress on the rectum.
Researchers at the University of Michigan Cancer Center found that the piperine found in black pepper can prevent breast cancer. What’s more, the Vitamin A and C, flavonoids, carotenes and other anti-oxidants found in pepper can protect your cells from harmful free radicals found in your body. Sprinkle black pepper on your dishes and keep cancer away.
Fights Infections
The black pepper can also fight off the infections with its antibacterial properties. Black pepper can prevent the infection and the spread of disease with the piperine.
Fights Wrinkles
The black pepper* contains antioxidants that can reduce the elements that develop wrinkles and other signs of aging. If you’re a victim of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots, the black pepper* can be the ultimate solution to your problems. There is no need to use black pepper* separately. You can simply add them to your meals and see how well it deals with the signs of aging.
Exfoliates the Skin
The dead skin cells can now be removed by applying the black pepper as a scrub on the skin. You need to mix the black pepper* powder with the yogurt and then apply it to your skin for 20 minutes. Once the mask has dried up, you can wash it off your face. This face pack will leave your skin soft and radiant by removing the toxins. It can also prevent acne with its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Lowers Blood Pressure with Black Pepper
It’s piperine, again. Reports have shown that piperine can lower blood pressure in animals, and similar effects can be expected in human beings. One Slovakian study states that oral administration of piperine can control the increase in blood pressure .
Ingestion of piperine also proved to be effective in controlling blood pressure in yet another study. Interestingly, piperine also enhances the bioavailability of curcumin, another important compound found in turmeric.
Black Pepper 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. Research says that black pepper might offer an alternative to treatments for fat-related issues.
Black pepper’s characteristic to inhibit fat cell formation sets off a chain reaction that can keep fat formation in check at various other biological levels.
Also, black pepper is a welcome addition to a weight loss diet – since a teaspoon of this pepper has just about 8 calories. And instead of that calorie-heavy Italian dressing on your chicken breast or grilled vegetables, simply add a dash of black pepper and squeeze a lemon to save calories.
Speeds up weight loss
It contains phytonutrients that cause fat cells to break down and make you lose weight. Moreover, it helps the body absorb nutrients from the food ensuring that you get the best of what you eat.
Relieves flatulence
When protein and other macro nutrients are left undigested, it can lead to flatulence, constipation and acidity. it triggers the secretion of hydrochloric acid that not only helps digest food but also helps break up and expel gas trapped in the intestines. Drink half a teaspoon mixed in lukewarm water to get relief from gas and colicky pain.
Relieves Cold And Cough
Black pepper has been used for this purpose even in the ancient Chinese medicine. The pepper is known to stimulate circulation and the mucous flow. And when you combine it with honey, the effect is enhanced – as honey works as a natural cough suppressant.
Simply mix a teaspoon of powdered it with 2 tablespoons of honey in a cup. Fill the cup with boiling water, cover it and let it steep for about 15 minutes. You can strain the drink and sip it. Do it thrice a day to clear congestion and sinuses.
The pepper can also ease asthmatic symptoms. One study conducted on asthmatic patients in a specialty care facility in Trinidad found that administering pepper to the patients had improved their condition. Black pepper clears the respiratory tract and eases other respiratory ailments like whooping cough as well.
Helps you get glowing skin
Pepper’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help cure skin infections and acne. Apart from adding it to your diet, try including it in your face scrubs. It exfoliates dead skin and stimulates blood circulation causing more oxygen to flow to your face. This results in a healthy and glowing complexion.
Fights Infections
The antibacterial properties of black pepper come into play here. As per one South African study, piperine in black pepper exhibits larvicidal effects (targeted towards dangerous insects in their larval stage of life) and help prevent infection and spread of disease .
Cures Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a condition that causes the skin to lose its pigmentation in certain areas. When your skin loses its natural pigmentation, it turns white. There are many different treatments for this skin disease, but a majority of them involve the use of harsh chemicals. Many patients are now turning to black pepper as a cure.
According to researchers from London, piperine found in black pepper provides a safe and natural alternative to chemical-based treatments.
Makes you happier
Did you know that black pepper has the potential to make you happier? According to a study published in the Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology, the spice improves brain’s function and beats depression. Eating it daily can make you sharper and cheerful.
Has Antioxidant Benefits
Black pepper has superb antioxidant effects, which contribute to your health in numerous ways . Antioxidants fight the disease-causing free radicals and boost immunity. In another Indian study, rats with induced oxidative stress, when administered with black pepper, showed considerable improvement in their condition .
Another test conducted by the National Institute of Nutrition in India found that black pepper had the highest concentration of antioxidants in all of the foods they had analyzed. The pepper also had the highest phenolic content. This high antioxidant content enables pepper to offer various health benefits, some of which include the prevention of serious ailments like cancer.
On top of all this, the piperine in black pepper increases the bioavailability of nutrients in numerous foods and supplements. And this means – it can transform a marginally effective therapeutic substance into a highly effective one – simply by enhancing its intracellular residency time. Also, it is important to note that the more intense the flavor of black pepper, the higher the piperine content.
Exfoliates The Skin
Black pepper can be used as a scrub to exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells. This makes your skin smoother.
Crush some black pepper and make a scrub to remove dead skin cells and exfoliate your skin. Just take 1/2 teaspoon of powdered black pepper and 1 teaspoon of yogurt. Apply to your face and wash after 20 minutes.
This face pack will help remove toxins from your skin, leaving it soft and radiant. it also helps promote blood circulation and provides more oxygen and nutrients to your skin. Its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties help prevent acne.
Enhances Brain Health
Black pepper has great effects on brain health. The piperine in the pepper inhibits one enzyme that breaks down serotonin, the calming neurotransmitter. This enzyme also degrades the functioning of another hormone called melatonin – which regulates the sleep/wake cycle.
Piperine also has its importance in Parkinson’s disease. It inhibits another type of enzyme that disrupts the production of dopamine, the feel-good hormone. Dopamine is usually deficient in patients with Parkinson’s, and ingesting it can ease the symptoms. Similar effects can be observed in the case of depression too.
Black pepper can also delay brain aging and help prevent Alzheimer’s. And it can also enhance the nerve activity in the brain, thereby perhaps alleviating seizures. It also protects the nerve cells and prevents early cell death. Moreover, it also had shown beneficial effects in stroke patients.
As per another Indian study, piperine in black pepper can decrease the formation of amyloidal plaque and may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease .
Improves Fertility In Men
Pepper plays an important role in improving male fertility. It is known to increase testosterone levels as it is rich in zinc and magnesium – two minerals critical for male sex hormones. It also increases sperm count and its concentration. The zinc in pepper also helps in the development and movement of sperms.
Black Pepper Helps Quit Smoking
Studies have shown that inhaling the vapor from black pepper can reduce smoking withdrawal symptoms. Cigarette cravings were also significantly reduced in test subjects who inhaled it vapor .
Helps Treat Diabetes
The beneficial antioxidants in black pepper might help stabilize blood sugar levels. They regulate hyperglycemia, thereby aiding in diabetes treatment. And a 2013 study has proved that black pepper oil can inhibit the two enzymes that break down starch into glucose and make diabetic symptoms worse. But ingesting it can delay glucose absorption.
Piperine can also be used as a bio-enhancing agent alongside metformin (a diabetes medication) – it helps reduce the dose of metformin and even its side effects, all the while helping ease the symptoms of the disease .
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