Piper nigrum or widely known as Black Pepper or in some places like Philippines it is locally called Paminta.
Black pepper is native in Kerala, the southern state of India. Due to its popularity, it’s now cultivated throughout countries.
Black pepper is a flowering vine that is cultivated for its fruit. Its fruit is dried usually referred as peppercorn and is commonly and widely used as spice and seasoning but, also been used as herbal medicine throughout the years.
There are three types of peppercorns namely green, white and the most popular one is black.
It has a sharp and mildly spicy flavor that goes well with many dishes. The spiciness of black pepper comes from a chemicals called piperine traditional peppers which contains capsaicin.
A pinch of this spice has a lot more to offer than just a flavor enhancer. How? Why?
Imagine cooking a dish with a black pepper on it, aside from a flavoring and tasty dish, you also gained lots of nutrients and health benefits on it.
Nutritional value, black pepper is a great source of magnesium, vitamin K, iron and fiber. It also possesses antibacterial, antioxidant, immune–boosting and fever–reducing properties.
Black pepper also contains the essential oil piperine – which, when used in aromatherapy, that helps in easing aching muscle, digestive issues and even inflammatory arthritis. The piperine present in black pepper has numerous beneficial properties that can help in improving your health in more ways than one.
WHAT ARE THE OTHER BENEFITS? LET’S GO REVEAL IT!
1. IMPROVES DIGESTIVE HEALTH
Black pepper helps in stimulating the digestive juices and enzymes promoting a healthy digestion. It has a positive effect on pancreatic enzymes that linked in benefiting the overall digestion. Black pepper also has carminative properties that helps in relieving stomach gas, flatulence and colicky pain.
2. IMPROVES BRAIN HEALTH
The piperine present in pepper inhibits one enzyme that breaks down serotonin –the calming neurotransmitter. This enzyme also helps in degrading the functioning of another hormone called melatonin which regulate the sleep and wake cycle. Black pepper also helps in delaying brain aging, prevent Alzheimer’s and ease symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
(See also: Foods to Supercharge Your Brain)
3. IMPROVES ORAL HEALTH
The piperine antibacterial properties found in black pepper helps in relieving toothache and other oral infections. Black pepper also contains anti-inflammatory properties that helps in treating gum inflammation.
(See also: Top Probable Cause Of Tooth Decay and What You Can Do About It)
4. IMPROVES FERTILITY IN MEN
Black pepper is rich in zinc and magnesium – both mineral are essential for male sex hormones – that plays an important role in improving male fertility by helping increasing the testosterone levels. The zinc in pepper helps in development and movement of sperms thus increasing the sperm count.
5. PREVENTS CANCER
The piperine in black pepper exerts protective activity against numerous forms of cancer due to its anticancer properties. Piperine increases the absorption of rich-nutrients that is vital for gut health and cancer prevention.
(See also: Top 10 Cancer-Causing Foods)
6. AIDS DIABETES
The antioxidant properties in pepper helps in stabilizing blood sugar levels as it regulates hyperglycemia. Piperine in pepper also used as bio-enhancing agent alongside metformin (a diabetes medication) – that helps in reducing the dose of metformin and its side effects. It also helps in delaying glucose absorption.
(See also: 5 Natural Remedies to Control Diabetes Better)
7. PROVIDE RESPIRATORY RELIEF
The black pepper is known to stimulate circulation and mucous flow. It helps in clearing the respiratory tract and eases other respiratory problems like cough.
8. AIDS PEPTIC ULCERS
The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory present in pepper has a beneficial effect on gastric mucosal damage and peptic ulcers.
9. FIGHT INFECTIONS
The antibacterial properties and piperine present in pepper exhibits a larvicidal effects (targeted towards dangerous insects in their larval stage of life) and helps in preventing infections and the spreading of disease.
10. HELPS QUIT SMOKING
Inhaling the vapor of black pepper can help in reducing the smoking withdrawal symptoms.
11. AIDS PREMATURE AGING
Due to its antioxidant properties, black pepper helps in fighting against free radicals that cause signs of aging thus harming your skin. It also helps premature aging including wrinkles, fine lines and even dark spots.
12. CURES VITILIGO
Vitiligo is a skin disease and black pepper plays a role in curing vitiligo by the presence of piperine in pepper that provides a safe and natural alternative treatments.
13. HELPS WEIGHT LOSS
The outer layer of peppercorn helps in assisting the breakdown of fat cells thus making the piperine present in pepper a big help in fighting the formation of fat cell in your body.
(See also: Lose 10 Pounds in just 3 Days)
14. TREATS HAIR PROBLEMS
Black pepper has been used by many as treatment for hair problems such as dandruff. It also helps in revitalizing your hair making it shiny, lustrous and soft.
Black pepper is a versatile flavor-enhancer that can be paired with other seasonings such as garlic, cumin, turmeric, cardamom and lemon zest and is worth adding to your daily cooking routine due to its bold-flavor that makes it a great addition to almost any dish.
RECIPE TIPS FOR PEPPERY DISH
- Pepper Steak Stir Fry
- Bite Size Pepper Streaks
- Peppered Crab
- Brandy Pepper Round Steak
- Shrimp Black Pepper
- Chicken Adobo
For more recipes, check out Panlasang Pinoy Recipes.
WHAT ARE THE USES OF BLACK PEPPER?
1. Used it as Spice – any dish is suitable for its taste. By increasing the quantity of pepper in a dish it also enhances the taste thus making it more beneficial in your health.
Most popular Filipino recipes that includes black pepper are pork and beef recipes like spicy beef curry and many more on Panlasang pinoy recipes.
(Read: 15 Healthy Native Filipino Food)
2. Used it as Tea – some preferred the extracts flavor as tea, not just its aromatic, it’s also good for the health.
(See also: 14 Beauty Hacks and Uses of Green Tea)
3. Used it as Extract – many believed that the extract of pepper can helps in treating various ailments by applying it directly to some affected areas.
Instead of putting more salt in your dish, why not try to include black pepper in it? Surely, it’ll gives you a satisfaction of having a tasteful and flavorful recipe. Besides, black pepper is deemed as the ‘King of Spices’ so why not try even just a pinch of it.
However, black pepper may contain numerous of benefits, yet, be aware that it may also have some side effects such as Eye redness, allergic reaction and such.
Better consult your doctor for your safety.
(Read next: 11 Proven Health Benefits of Ginger)
DISCLAIMER:Please be advised that all of the information on this website is based on research and is provided for informational purposes only. Visitor who either use this Site and rely on any information do so at their own risk. |
- Nagdeve, Maeenakshi. Organic Facts. “9 Proven Health Benefits Of Black Pepper”.
- Tadimalla, Ravi Teja. Style Craze. “17 Amazing Health Benefits of Black Pepper for Skin, Hair and Health”.
- Meixner, Makayla. Health Line. “11 Science-Based Heealth Benefits of Black Pepper”.
- Dove Med. “7 Health Benefits Of Black Pepper”.
