Free radical damage can cause serious health problems, piperine the main active compound has been shown to have antioxidant properties that can help to prevent free radical damage. Piperine can also help to fight inflammation which is at the root of many chronic conditions.
Piperine may possess anti-cancer properties, as test tube studies suggest it can slow the proliferation of prostate, breast, and colon cancer cells. It has also shown promise in reversing multidrug resistance in cancer cells which interferes with effectiveness of chemotherapy.
Piperline has been shown to boost blood sugar metabolism: 86 overweight participants taking piperine along with other compounds for 8 weeks experienced improvements in insulin sensitivity, according to a study published in Endocrine.
Black pepper may help to reduce appetite as a small study found that those who drank a black pepper based beverage had reduced appetite as compared to flavored water.
Animal studies suggest that black pepper may help to lower cholesterol levels, and help to improve the absorption of potential cholesterol lowering supplements.
Piperine has been shown to help to boost brain function in animal studies, one study noted it helped to minimize formation of amyloid plaques, and another suggested it may be beneficial to those with symptoms linked to degenerative brain conditions.
Preliminary research has revealed that black pepper may help to increase good bacteria within the gut which may help with chronic diseases and impaired immune function among others.
Black pepper is believed to help increase the absorption of essential nutrients and beneficial compounds such as those found in turmeric and green tea.
These are just some of the scientifically proven health benefits of black pepper. Why not use it more often to cook with to help to boost your gut health, it goes great with just about anything from salads to soups, and stir fry to scrambled eggs.
