Black pepper is also known as black gold and stems from the Sanskrit term ‘pippali.’ It has one of the most illustrious histories as a sought-after spice. It provides flavor to dishes, works as a preservative, and adds heat. In addition to its flavor-enhancing characteristics, black pepper has a number of health benefits.
The piper nigrum is a native tropical forest of southwest India’s Malabar Coast, particularly in the states of Kerala, Goa, and Karnataka. This spice is a dried unripe fruit of the trailing vine plant called peppercorn, and its color varies depending on when it is gathered. To obtain black pepper, one must first ripen peppercorns and then dry them till they turn black.
Benefits of Black Pepper
Improves Nutrition Uptake
Black pepper aids in the absorption of key nutrients such as selenium and calcium, as well as essential plant chemicals found in tea and turmeric. Black pepper contains a variety of nutrients and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, and riboflavin. Antioxidants, essential oil, and other phenolic components are also present.
Prevents Constipation
If you have fewer than three stools each week, you may be constipated. However, you can overcome this problem by adding pepper to your food on a daily basis. As a result, black pepper protects against colon cancer, constipation, diarrhea, and other bacterial disorders. However, excessive consumption might be hazardous to your health. As a result, make sure to include a pinch of it in your daily diet.
Beneficial to Hair
Black pepper is said to be effective in the treatment of dandruff. All you have to do is combine some crushed black pepper with some curd, apply it to your scalp, and let it on for at least 30 minutes. However, do not use too much black pepper as this might cause scalp burning, and do not use shampoo for the next 24 hours after applying black pepper. You can also mix lime with the crushed black pepper and apply it to your scalp for 30 minutes before washing it off. This will smooth and shine your hair.
Depression Treatment
Depression is thought to be one of the most frequent problems that most individuals suffer from around the world, and it can lead to other health concerns. Thus, raw black pepper can be given to depressed persons to chew on, changing their mood. Chewing raw black pepper is claimed to produce mood-inducing chemicals in the brain, keeping your brain calm and soothing all the time. However, this should not be done in excess because it can have negative implications.
Treat Respiratory Conditions
Colds and coughs are common respiratory disorders that can be alleviated by ingesting black pepper. You can tell the difference by adding a pinch of black pepper to some green tea. This has no negative side effects. Adding a little pepper to all your dishes during the winter will help you stay healthy and avoid various ailments. If you combine black pepper with honey, it can help you avoid chest congestion.
Cleanses Your Body
This spice causes you to sweat and urine a lot, which allows you to eliminate all toxins from your body. Sweating and urinating is a healthy signs that your body is functioning properly. Some people believe that simply eating black pepper can help them lose weight. However, you may be mistaken if you solely focus on consuming and ignore some easy exercises such as walking or jogging alongside.
References:
- Daigham, G.E. Mahfouz, A.Y. Assessment of Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antioxidant and Antiviral Activities of Black pepper Aqueous Seed Extract. Al-Azhar Univ. J. Res. Stud. 2020.
- Hien, L.T.M. Dao, D.T.A. Antibacterial Activity of Black Pepper Essential Oil Nanoemulsion Formulated by Emulsion Phase Inversion Method. Curr. Res. Nutr. Food Sci. 2022.
- Sarfraz, M. Khaliq, T. Hafizur, R.M. Raza, S.A. Ullah, H. Effect of black pepper, turmeric and ajwa date on the endocrine pancreas of the experimentally induced diabetes in wister albino rats: A histological and immunohistochemical study. Endocr. Metab. Sci. 2021.
- Bawazeer, S. Khan, I. Rauf, A. Aljohani, A.S.M. Alhumaydhi, F.A. Khalil, A.A. Qureshi, M.N. Ahmad, L. Khan, S.A. Black pepper (Piper nigrum) fruit-based gold nanoparticles (BP-AuNPs): Synthesis, characterization, biological activities, and catalytic applications—A green approach. Green Process. Synth. 2022.
