Everyone is familiar with the black pepper plant. Black pepper adds flavor to meals in just about every country around the world and is almost always found side by side with it’s best buddy, salt. We’ve all been using it since we were small, but we probably don’t give it much thought beyond that.
Most people don’t know that black pepper is even more amazing beyond just being tasty. This spice and seasoning offers many health benefits, too. Read on to learn some incredible things about black pepper that will have you saying “more please!” the next time someone comes at you with a pepper mill
Five Special Health Benefits of the Black Pepper Plant
The black pepper that we consume comes from the tiny ground-up fruits of this plant. It is known as “the king of spices” in many world regions and is enjoyed for its sharp and mildly spicy taste. A little pepper goes a long way, and it makes almost every meal taste even better.
1. Piperine Fights Free Radicals
The black pepper plant is rich in a plant compound called piperine. According to researchers, piperine has strong anti-oxidant properties that help our bodies to fight against free radicals. Free radicals, which occur naturally but can multiply due to things like pollution and the sun’s rays, can cause a number of health problems including premature aging, heart disease, and even some cancers.
Studies have shown that ground black pepper and piperine supplements, such as BioPerine, can help to heal free radical damage.
2. Improved Brain Function
Studies have also shown that black pepper can help improve brain function. These studies have only been performed on animals so far, but they offer a lot of hope for people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Piperine is also the active ingredient here. According to scientists, rats with Alzheimer’s disease demonstrated improved memory after ingesting a concentrated piperine compound. Further, a piperine extract appeared to decrease the dense clumps of protein fragments often found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
3. Promotes Gut Health
There are helpful bacteria living in your gut and, according to early research, black pepper seems to help them thrive. This bacteria appears to bolster immunity, improve mood, and stave off chronic diseases, so the more the merrier.
4. Increased Nutrient Absorption
According to some studies, it appears that people who consume a lot of black pepper experience better absorption of vital nutrients like calcium and selenium. More research needs to be done in this area but the results so far seem promising.
5. Blood Sugar Control
Some studies suggest that piperine can also help people with diabetes to control their blood sugar. In studies on both humans and animals, significant improvements in insulin sensitivity have been observed and reported. More research is needed in this area as well.
Eat More Black Pepper
These are just some of the many health benefits of the black pepper plant. If you already liked black pepper before, chances are, you will like it even more now. Add a little black pepper to every meal to reap the best of these health benefits. Enjoy!
