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Black pepper is probably a familiar spice to you as it’s commonly used in many different meals across the globe. It’s slightly spicy when consumed but it adds that extra flavor to any food and makes it even better. It’s best with meats but you can use it in many different meals to enjoy the many black pepper benefits.
Most people sneeze when they smell it and they know it’s good for when you have a cold. But, are you aware of all of the health benefits black pepper brings?
If not, keep reading and learn more!
Why is Black Pepper Called the King of Spices?
Black pepper is considered to be the king of spices for many reasons. It smells great, has many uses in the kitchen and numerous medicinal uses as well. This is precisely why it has gained an honorary place on any spice rack.
Dating back to ancient times, pepper appeared as a medicinal spice, culinary spice and so on. It was used for the ability to cure stomach ache, reduce liver issues, lung problems, digestion issues and so on. It even reduces the risk of Colorectal Cancer.
Here are some more reasons why black pepper is called the King of Spices:
- Keep your cholesterol low
- Help your feet warm up
- Black pepper can help you lose weight
- Black pepper is excellent at reducing fever
- Can help you with a common cold
- Black pepper helps with dry cough
- Black pepper can help people with asthma
- Help with a sore throat
- Can treat a chronic cold
- Helps any kind of cough
- Have a tooth ache? Have some black pepper and clove oil
- It can help you improve your indigestion
- Black pepper relieves nausea
- It can help with various skin conditions
- Black pepper can help you fight baldness
- Black pepper helps with hemorrhoids
- It can stop hiccups
11 Black Pepper Benefits
Black pepper is a spice with numerous health benefits. It can help you with depression, digestion, nutrient absorption, ulcers, weight loss, cough, sore throat, heart health, toothaches and so on. It can also prevent gray hair, baldness, arthritis, skin conditions and so on.
This is the most common spice for seasoning. It tastes great and improves the flavor of any meal. This is a berry and it is complex both in origin and in flavor.
There is proof that it has been used since 2000 BC and that it has been found in trade from India to Greeks and Romans. Romans started including it in most of their recipes. Arabs then took over the spice trade. By the 10th century, it was one of the most wanted spices in the world and spread across Italy and Germany. In some parts of Europe it was a luxury.
It was a must for the Italians and the silk route was used to trade pepper as well. It’s one of the healthiest foods on earth. It’s a great source of many healthy nutrients like vitamin K, calcium, chromium, iron, fiber, manganese and so on. You can enjoy it by sprinkling it over all savory dishes by using a pepper mill.
It’s very nutritious as it has many different minerals and vitamins like Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamins B, Riboflavin, Thiamin, Niacin, sodium, potassium, folate, choline and betaine. No other spice has this amazing amount of nutritious elements.
So, keeping all of these healthy elements in mind, here are the top 11 benefits of black pepper:
1. It can help you fight depression
Because black pepper has piperine, it can help you with depression. It has the power to improve your brain function and memory. Studies have shown that black pepper has the ability to reduce depression and improve your mind.
2. It can help you digest food better
Our bodies secret an acid which is essential to the digestion process. Since black pepper increases the secretion of this acid, it can help you digest food. It helps you produce less gas and removes toxins from your body.
3. It can help you absorb nutrients better
Eating black pepper with fruits, vegetables or any other nutritious dish helps you absorb the minerals and vitamins from that meal much better.
4. It can help you treat ulcers
Ulcers cause a lot of discomfort. Black peppers can help with that because they are rich in antioxidants and reduce inflammation. Black pepper strengthens the defense of the body.
5. It can help you lose weight
In order for you to lose weight, your fat cells need to be broken down. The black pepper speeds this up and helps your metabolism improve. This can lead to weight reduction. It also helps you get rid of bloating and glasses.
6. It can help with cough or sore throat
Black pepper is famous for the properties in it which reduce cough symptoms and many other respiratory issues. When you have a cough, you should take a mixture of honey and black pepper.
7. It promotes heart health
Doctors often recommend it as one of the best foods for heart disease patients. It removes the cholesterol from the arteries and it helps prevent various medical conditions that are caused by high cholesterol buildup.
8. It can help with toothaches
Black pepper is antimicrobial and antibacterial so it can help with teeth issues as well as gum issues. Mix with salt and apply to the painful area.
9. Black pepper is great for preventing gray hair
This is a serious issue for many people both young and old. But, black pepper can be used to help. Mix some black pepper with some yogurt and apply it to your scalp. Let it sit for a while and then rinse.
10. It can be effective for people with arthritis
Essential oil with black pepper can have a warming sensation on the skin so it can help the blood circulate better and relieve the pain. It also removes toxins which helps people deal better with arthritis.
11. It can be beneficial for the skin
Eating black pepper regularly is great for achieving a better and healthier glow and having better complexion.
Is Black Pepper Inflammatory?
Black pepper is a woody vine growing in tropical areas. This is a great spice that creates a richer taste and has many healthy properties. This spice is full of healthy nutrients and minerals, so it’s pretty good for most cases.
While it may seem as if the black pepper is inflammatory, it actually isn’t. While it is hot because of piperine, it has anti-inflammatory properties which can be extremely good for many conditions. It can reduce a fever, help a sore throat and so on. It also has antibacterial and antioxidant properties which all make black pepper a perfect ally in battling inflammatory diseases.
Are There Side Effects of Eating Too Much Pepper?
The usage of black pepper – no matter how tasty it is or how good it is for the health – can be really unhealthy if you take too much of it. It’s the safest when you consume it in regular food amounts. Otherwise, it can have serious side-effects.
Here are some of them:
Consuming large amounts of black pepper orally can lead to it getting in your lungs which can lead to death, especially in children.
Black pepper applied directly on the skin is mostly safe but it can also cause redness and the feeling of burning.
It can be dangerous in pregnancy if taken in large amounts since it can trigger a miscarriage.
Black pepper shouldn’t be included in the diet of people with gastrointestinal diseases or issues.
Some studies have shown that it can cause esophageal cancer but this is a highly controversial belief.
You should use it with caution if you are taking any drugs, especially if those drugs have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory or any similar properties.
You should use it with caution if you are taking it with herbs that can cause some changes in the effects.
Black Pepper Benefits for Weight Loss
Black pepper is great for weight loss as well. It has many other health benefits as well. It’s low in calories and full of nutrients that could help you lose weight. It contains piperine which is great for breaking up fat cells and enhancing your metabolism.
You can have it either externally or internally.
Add a drop of black pepper essential oil to a glass of water to enhance your weight loss. You can consume this daily, before breakfast. Enjoy delicious tea with a black pepper kick by adding ground black pepper to your regular tea.
You can add it to your juices too or chew two or three black peppercorns every morning.
Sound too spicy?
Look for dishes where you can add in extra spice and add flavor to your desired taste. Store whole peppercorns in a grinder so you always have freshly ground pepper.
Share your favorite way to enjoy black pepper benefits down below!
Sources:
https://foodfacts.mercola.com/black-pepper.html
https://www.onlymyhealth.com/health-slideshow/side-effects-of-black-pepper-1413278269.html
https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/how-does-black-pepper-help-you-lose-weight/#gref
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