Amazing Health benefits of Black Pepper

Amazing Health benefits of Black Pepper

Increases Nutrient Absorption
The piperine in black pepper enhances the bioavailability of various nutrients such as vitamins A and C, selenium, beta-carotene, and others, thereby improving your overall health. Bioavailability refers to the amount of a nutrient or supplement that is absorbed by the body.

For example, researchers have found that it can increase the bioavailability of the compound curcumin (found in turmeric) twentyfold. Curcumin helps fight cancer, infection, and inflammation.

Moreover, piperine stimulates amino acid transporters in the intestinal lining and inhibits enzymes that help metabolize nutritional compounds. It also prevents the removal of substances from cells and reduces intestinal activity, so more substances enter the body in active form and remain available for use.

Improves Digestion
Black pepper stimulates the taste buds and increases the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which in turn aids proper digestion. Interestingly, most digestive problems are caused by a lack of hydrochloric acid rather than excess amounts of it.

By improving digestion, black pepper relieves issues like colic, bloating, indigestion, flatulence, and constipation. It also has antibacterial qualities that help treat intestinal diseases caused by bacteria.

Protects you from cancer
A study conducted by the University of Michigan Cancer Center stated that the piperine content of black pepper prevents the development of breast cancer. This spice also contains Vitamin C, Vitamin A, flavonoids, carotenes and other anti-oxidants that neutralize the harmful free radicals in your body thereby protect you from cancer. Other studies have suggested that black pepper can stall the progression of skin cancer, bowel cancer and colon cancer.
Tip: Make it a habit to add at least half a teaspoon of pepper powder while preparing food to reap its health benefits. Alternatively, you can sprinkle black pepper powder 

Helps you lose weight
Black pepper is great in aiding the proper assimilation (extraction of all the nutrients) of food. Moreover, its outer layer which contains potentphytonutrientsstimulates the breakdown of fat cells. This is the reason, why this spice ranks high among the best weight loss aids.
Tip: For effective weight loss, just sprinkle pepper over your food. Do not eat too much of the spice, it can cause severe side effects.

Relieves gas
Known for its carminative properties black pepper is great to relieve discomfort caused due to flatulence and colicky pain. It inhibits serotonin receptors and also has the ability to break up and expel intestinal gas (carminative effect) which makes it a good antiemetic agent.
Tip: Adding pepper to your meals instead of chili powder will help relieve flatulence. So the next time you want to spice up your food, just sprinkle some pepper powder.

Antibiotic Properties
Black pepper has natural antibiotic characteristics owing to its vitamin C content.  It curbs harmful free radical reactions. This is one of the prime uses of black pepper

Bacterial Infections
Black pepper helps in treating diseases caused due to bacteria. The influence of black pepper has been observed while treating conditions like constipation, diarrhea and colic.

Cough And Cold
Surprisingly, the spice also acts as a remedy for cough and cold. The antibacterial properties of black pepper are used for treating respiratory disorders.

Vitiligo cure
Pepper helps to cure Vitiligo which is a skin disease that causes some areas of skin to lose its normal pigmentation and turn white. Research shows that piperine can stimulate the skin to produce the pigment back and gives healthy skin. Pepper when crushed and added to a face scrub, helps slough off dead skin, stimulates circulation and helps deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the skin. The anti bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help keep the skin safe from infections like acne and gives beautiful skin.

Dandruff treatment
Black pepper is the best treatment for the dandruff problems. Its antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties are great in getting rid of the dandruff problem. For this benefit mix a teaspoon of crushed black pepper in a cup of curd, mix well and apply on the scalp. Leave it for half an hour and wash with water and do not use shampoo. Make sure that not to use excess of pepper as it may cause scalp irritation.

Clear skin
Apart from a great way to help you sweat and release all the toxins from your skin, it acts a great exfoliant. Pepper when crushed and added to a face scrub, helps slough off dead skin, stimulates circulation and helps deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the skin. The antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties help keep the skin safe from infections like acne.