Eat this spice every day – and your body will thank you
More than just a food flavor enhancer, black pepper offers health benefits thanks to its bioactive compounds, with piperine being the most important. Piperine is a natural alkaloid that gives black pepper its pungent taste. It is also the main component that gives black pepper its health-boosting qualities.
Best of all? You don’t need to consume a large amount of piperine to get its benefit. Sprinkle some pepper on your food every day and you’ll be all set.
The best way to reap the benefits of black pepper is to use freshly ground peppercorns, so you might want to get a pepper mill if you don’t have one.
Here are seven health benefits you probably never knew black pepper has.
1. High in antioxidants
Piperine is considered a type of antioxidant that helps to lower the risk of chronic illnesses like atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, and neurological conditions.
2. Digestion and Intestinal Health
Black pepper helps to stimulate hydrochloric acid in your stomach so you can better digest and absorb the foods you eat. It has carminative properties too, which help to reduce discomfort and gas buildup in your intestines.
3. Immune Support
A strong immune system is important for helping you avoid illness, and black pepper can help here as well. Its active compounds have a role in boosting white blood cells, which your body uses to fight off invading bacteria and viruses.
4. 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
5. Improves the effect of pain killers
The effect of analgesic pain killers, such as Diclofenac (found in Voltaren), are said to be enhanced by piperine. This could be revolutionary in the future — it might mean that doses can be reduced, along with side effects.
6. Prevents tooth loss
The piperine in black pepper has been shown to reduce the risk of the inflammation of gum tissue and can prevent the degradation of the jawbone and tooth loss.
7. Increases the absorption of nutrients
When you eat black pepper, you also take in piperine, a nutrient that is good for digestion. In addition, your stomach’s ability to absorb several minerals and vitamins, such as vitamin B, vitamin C, selenium and beta carotene is improved.
8. Helps body absorb turmeric
Turmeric contains the substance curcumin and is a real super spice. Unfortunately, the body doesn’t absorb curcumin well on its own, but black pepper helps a lot. So it’s important to remember to add some pepper whenever you cook with turmeric!
Now, I won’t keep my black pepper in the cupboard, but on the table! Share this article with all your friends who you think might be interested in it.
Source:health.clevelandclinic.org, webmd.com, healthline.com
