Piperins found in black pepper causes its spiciness. Black pepper is said to be the king of spices as it is the most widely traded in the world. It is said to have antibacterial properties and to be a great anti-inflammatory agent. Black pepper is also said to help with weight loss, treat sinus, asthma, and nasal congestion, while helping to reduce the risks of cancer, heart, and liver ailments.
Black pepper is a great source for minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, and vitamins such as niacin, vitamin B6, K and E, thiamin, folate, and riboflavin as well as having a high content of dietary fiber and moderate amounts of protein and carbohydrates, according to the USDA National Nutrient Database.
Antioxidant properties of black pepper can help prevent or repair damage caused by free radicals to help prevent some cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and liver problems while neutralizing these harmful compounds to protect your systems from many conditions and symptoms of premature aging, macular degeneration, and memory loss.
Black pepper consumption increases hydrochloric acid secretion in the stomach to help facilitate digestion, helps to prevent formation of intestinal gas, promote sweating and urination to remove toxins from the body, and help in weight loss. Being carminative in nature black pepper helps to prevent severe gastrointestinal conditions helping to expel gas out of the body.
Outer layers of the peppercorn assist in the breakdown of fat cells helping to shed weight naturally. Fat cells that are broken down into component parts are more easily processed by the body to be applied to other processes and enzymatic reactions rather then being stored as fat.
Black pepper can help to cure vitiligo, according to researchers from Oregon Health & Science University piperine can stimulate the skin to produce melanocytes pigment; topical treatment combined with UV light therapy is a less harsh option than chemical based treatments for the condition which will also help to reduce chances of skin cancer due to excessive UV radiation.
Black pepper has been used in traditional medicines to provide respiratory relief and treat colds and coughs for years. It contains expectorant properties that help to break up mucus and phlegm deposits, natural irritant qualities help to expel loosened materials via sneezing or coughing to eliminate them from the body assisting in recovery from infections or illness.
Antibacterial properties help to fight against infections and insect bites, added to the diet it helps to keep arteries clean in a similar manner to fiber by scraping excess cholesterol from walls helping to reduce atherosclerosis. It has been shown to have active compounds against Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus sphaericus, Staphylococcus aureus gram +ve bacteria, and against certain gram -ve bacterial strains.
Piperine has been shown to help reduce memory impairment and cognitive malfunction, chemical pathways appear to be stimulated by the organic compound, early research has demonstrated a possibility of benefit to dementia patients and other age related or free radical malfunctions in cognition.
Studies have also shown black pepper to have beneficial effects against gastric mucosal damage and peptic ulcers due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Ayurvedic medicines use black pepper to treat asthma, ear aches, gangrene, hernias, hoarseness, insect bites, tooth decay and toothache, and during ancient times was used to help treat vision problems.
Black pepper helps to transport benefits of other herbs to different parts of the body to maximize the efficiency of foods that are consumed making it multifunctional as it helps to make food taste more delicious.
Black pepper may possibly cause sneezing. Those that have had abdominal surgery should avoid excessive use of black pepper as it can have an irritating effect on the intestines. Black pepper should not be consumed in high concentration, if signs of allergic reaction are noticed discontinue use and consult a medical professional.
