Black pepper is not just another spice in your kitchen, but a savior in terms of health. The benefits of Black Pepper (Kali Mirch) were highly acknowledged in the ancient Ayurvedic system. Thus, you can also use the “king of spices” in different ways to maximize its advantages.
Along with these components, black pepper is also loaded with essential vitamins and minerals including Vitamin B-12, Vitamin C, K, E, A as well as Manganese, Iron, Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, etc. In fact, you can get 16% of your daily requirement (DRI) of Manganese from 1 teaspoon of black pepper.
Black Pepper Health Benefits
Black pepper is enriched with nutrients and thus, offers a range of health benefits. Let’s take a look at the benefits of eating black pepper.
1. Black Pepper Against Inflammation
Excess inflammation can cause free radical damage in your body. Therefore, it can lead to major health problems including chronic diseases like heart disease, premature aging, certain cancers, etc.
Rich in a plant compound called piperine, black pepper benefits your body by protecting it from inflammation. It is full of antioxidants to save your body from radical cell damage.
2. Black Pepper for Digestion
If you have digestion-related issues, then put some extra focus on black pepper while prepping your meals. When consumed raw, black pepper helps release hydrochloric acid from the stomach. Thus, this process eases the digestion of proteins and cleans the intestines as well.
In addition to that, it also prevents problems related to constipation and other gastrointestinal diseases. However, excessive intake of black pepper can harm your digestive system as well.
3. Black Pepper Benefits for Skin
Do you know what skin pigmentation or Vitiligo is? It is a skin condition that causes white patches on your skin. Although you can get several medicines available to cure this skin problem, black pepper can help you a great deal in treating such skin disorders.
Black pepper not only protects your skin from any sort of skin pigmentation but also assists in maintaining the original color of your skin. In fact, you can avoid wrinkles as well as acne and get clear, rejuvenated skin if you include it in your daily diet.
Also Read:- Home Remedies for Dry Skin
However, it is important to use the right amount of spice in this process. Otherwise, excess black pepper can irritate or even burn your scalp. Also, do not use shampoo for the next 24 hours to avoid any severe side effects of black pepper.
4. Black Pepper Boosts Mood
Depression, being one of the most common problems these days, needs to be taken care of. While there are always medicines available to curb this mental problem, you can also opt for raw black to get relief.
Chew raw black peppers to release mood-inducing chemicals to the brain. As a result, it will keep your mind calm and offer you a soothing feeling.
5. Black Pepper to Treat Cold & Cough
One of the most common uses of black pepper is in treating respiratory issues like colds and coughs. For its antibacterial properties, black pepper with hot water benefits your lungs to get rid of excess phlegm.
Simply add a pinch of black pepper to some green tea, a glass of haldi-milk, or some honey-infused hot water to prevent chest congestion. Additionally, you can also mix a pinch of black pepper powder with hot water and eucalyptus oil and take steam.
6. Black Pepper Good for Hair
If you have had enough of the dandruff-related problem, then you can treat it with the help of some black pepper. Kali Mirch benefits hair and scalp by protecting them from dandruff very effectively.
All you need to do is to crush some black peppers with yogurt and apply it to your scalp. Now, let it dry for at least 30 minutes and wash it off.
7. Black Pepper for Diabetes
By improving blood glucose metabolism, black pepper can be useful in controlling the sugar level in patients with type 2 diabetes. Regular consumption of black pepper in your foods can show a positive response in terms of insulin sensitivity.
Also Read:- Natural Remedies for Diabetes
In addition to that, the anti-inflammatory properties of the spice help stabilize blood sugar levels as well. It also fights obesity which is one of the main contributing factors to diabetes.
8. Black Pepper to Control Cholesterol
One of the major health benefits of black pepper is its ability to keep your cholesterol level in check. Being one of the most common causes of death worldwide, the risk of heart failure can be avoided by lowering cholesterol levels.
Piperine in black pepper not only reduces the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) but also increases the levels of good cholesterol (HDL) simultaneously. Besides, black pepper also leaves a positive effect on lipid regulation.
9. Black Paper May Prevent Cancer
Together, turmeric, honey, and black pepper benefit your overall health by keeping several diseases at bay. One of such diseases is Cancer where the nutrients in black pepper including piperine can reduce the risk of getting it.
With Vitamin C, Vitamin A, flavonoids, carotenes, and several other antioxidants present in it, black pepper can eliminate harmful free radicals from your body and protect the body from such diseases.
10. Black Pepper for Detoxification
The ‘King of Spices’ makes you sweat and urinate more than usual. Thus, resulting in discharging toxins from your body.
Furthermore, sweating and constantly urinating is a good sign for your body as it implies that your body is functioning well.
Uses of Black Pepper
- If you are putting raw peppercorns into your green tea, milk, or water, just make sure to break them slightly to get enough extract.
- If you are using black pepper powder in your foods, it is best to grind your own pepper from fried, raw peppercorns. Try to use it fresh to get the most of Kali Mirch’s health benefits.
- Furthermore, you can also use black pepper for tempering. Use it as a flavor enhancer in salads, curries, soups, pasta, boiled veggies or eggs, grilled meats, etc.
Black Pepper Nutritional Value
Black pepper is not just a food flavor enhancer, but a healthy addition to your foods with bioactive compounds. It contains Piperine which is a natural alkaloid, giving black pepper the distinct pungent taste. Besides, it is also the main component that gives black pepper most of its health-boosting qualities.
So, 1 teaspoon of black pepper offers,
| Nutrition | Nutritional Value 1 teaspoon |
|---|---|
| Calories | 6 |
| Protein | 0 gm |
| Fat | 0 gm |
| Carbohydrates | 1 gm |
| Fiber | 1 gm |
| Sugar | 0 gm |
| Cholesterol | 0 milligrams |
| Sodium | 0 milligrams |
Black Pepper Side Effects
If you consume anything in an excessive amount, then there will be consequences. Similarly, black pepper can also result in severe gastrointestinal side effects if you put too much of it into your dishes.
In addition to that, piperine can also interfere with certain medications. So, make sure to consult your doctor before you incorporate black pepper into your diet.
Black pepper is a versatile ingredient every kitchen needs. But it is also an integral part of a diet to offer an extra hint of flavors and several health-benefiting nutrients. So, use the advantages of black pepper wisely and avoid excessive use to stay healthy.
