14 Health Benefits of Black Pepper (Kali Mirch) and Recipes
By Dr. Malavika Athavale +2 more
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By Dr. Malavika Athavale +2 more
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Black pepper or kali mirch, scientifically known as Piper nigram, is a spice rich in several minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. It’s active compound ‘piperine’ is found to have loads of advantages for health. So, adding black pepper to food not only makes it spicy and tasty but also renders several health benefits. Called as the “king of spices”, black pepper is said to be good for digestion, respiratory issues, joint pains and also lowers risk of cancers. It is proposed to aid in weight loss too when consumed regularly. With its myriad of benefits, this spice can be a great addition to your everyday diet!
In this blog, we’ll take a look at some of the conventionally-believed as well as science-backed benefits of black pepper and how it can be a health-booster. We’ll also suggest some delicious recipes to soak in the benefits of this spice.
There are plenty of benefits surrounding this spice and this is the reason why our ancestors had named it the ‘King of Spice’. Well, here we discuss 14 important health benefits of black pepper and how it can help keep many diseases at bay.
Black pepper is said to lower the risk of cancer1. Adding it to milk along with turmeric can enhance the benefit. This drink, which is usually given to individuals suffering from a severe cold, is said to consist of antioxidants, vitamin A and carotenoids that help in reducing cancer risk and lower inflammation.
Black pepper helps in improving digestion. It works by stimulating the digestive enzymes, enhancing the digestive capacity and reducing the time food stays in your gastrointestinal tract2. Black pepper may also help improve the absorption of nutrients from food items. Consuming it raw increases hydrochloric acid release by stomach, which helps in breaking down and absorption of food.
Black pepper and its superstar component, piperine, have some impressive tricks up their sleeve! Research suggests12 that piperine, found in black pepper, has a fun way of turbocharging our digestive system. Giving a friendly nudge to the digestive enzymes in our pancreas increases our digestive capacity and may assist the digestive process.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)
Passing less than three stools a week can be a sign of constipation. Adding some pepper to your daily food can help solve this issue. And not just constipation, black pepper can also help in curbing diarrhea and other types of digestive tract disorders if consumed daily3. Although, its excessive consumption can lead to acidity, so make sure you just just a pinch to your daily food.
Applying black pepper on skin is said to help with certain skin conditions. A study4 found that applying a black pepper based cream combined with UV treatment helped in skin repigmentation in Vitiligo disease. (This condition makes your skin appear white and this is also called white patches.) Black pepper is also said to curb wrinkles and skin problems like dark spots. If you are suffering from acne too, you can try using some black pepper. It may help your skin flush away the intoxicants and rejuvenate it. However, it’s ideal to always discuss with a dermatologist before moving onto using any home remedies for your skin issues, as there are chances of allergies and irritation.
Black pepper is said to be useful in dealing with dandruff5. You can add some crushed black pepper to curd, apply it on your scalp and let it dry for a minimum of 30 minutes. This can also help make your hair shiny and smooth. But make sure to not use excess black pepper as this can result in scalp burning. Also, do not use shampoo for the next 24 hours after applying black pepper to your hair as this may cause side effects.
The wonder spice may also aid in losing weight6. It can be added to green tea and consumed two to three times a day for this purpose. This is because this spice has a rich content of phytonutrients that helps in breaking down excess fat. This also improves your body’s metabolism. However, remember these remedies only support your weight loss efforts. A regular exercise regimen and healthy diet is the key to losing weight.
Depression is said to be one of the most common problems faced by people worldwide and this can even lead to many other serious problems. Although medicines and relaxation techniques are needed to curb this issue from being devastating, trying out natural remedies like black pepper has no harm. Initial studies7 have shown that consuming black pepper can be helpful in depression and improve thinking abilty. This can possibly be due to the release of mood-enhancing chemicals in the brain that help keep the mind calm. However, consumption in moderation is important to prevent any side effects.
Cold and cough are common respiratory problems that can be managed by consuming black pepper. You can add a pinch of black pepper and turmeric to a glass of milk with some honey and consume it hot for some instant relief. Black pepper mixed with honey may help thin down mucous and relieve chest congestion.
Adding black pepper to some warm water along with some eucalyptus oil in it and inhaling the steam is also a simple remedy that can help deal with chest congestion.
If you are suffering from joint pain or arthritis, black pepper can help. It has medicinal properties that can help manage conditions like gout, which is caused due to increase in blood uric acid levels. It is also useful for people suffering from spinal and joint pain due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
This spice increases your body’s metabolism and helps you sweat and urinate, which are said to help relieve the body of toxins. It can support liver function, improve digestion and has antioxidants that scavenge free-radicles in the body and help reduce the risk of many diseases.
For many chronic or long-term conditions such as cancer, heart conditions, diabetes, asthma amongst others, inflammation is a key underlying issue. Many studies8 have suggested that the active compound piperine in black pepper can help fight off inflammation effectively, which lowers the risk of these conditions.
Piperine in black pepper has shown results when it comes to improving brain health such as enhancing memory power. Researchers found that this king of spice showed a potential when it came to seeing a better response in degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease9.
Individuals with diabetes can use a generous sprinkling of black pepper in their meals as the health benefits of black pepper show an ability to improve one’s blood glucose metabolism. A regular intake of this spice may show a positive response when it comes to insulin sensitivity10. However, more research is needed in this matter.
Higher cholesterol levels are a warning sign for a possible heart disease. Regular consumption of black pepper has shown effective results in reducing cholesterol levels due to the presence of the compound piperine. It can help enhance good cholesterol and manage blood lipids levels effectively11.
Did you know that black pepper holds a remarkable 20 per cent share of the global spice trade? It’s intriguing to note that the berries of black pepper grow in long green clusters, entwining themselves around tall trees and poles within the jungle. When these berries ripen and turn red, they are harvested to produce both black and white pepper varieties13.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Consuming black pepper as part of your meals:
Although initial studies have shown possible health benefits of black pepper, further long-term human trials are needed to confirm these.
This wonder spice can be added to almost any savoury food recipe. May it be hot or cold, this spice can be sprinkled over these dishes to spice it up. Here are some simple tips for adding black pepper to your daily cooking.
Black pepper is obtained by drying the ripe green berries of the pepper plant. This versatile spice is commonly used in three forms: powder, oil, and oleoresin. Interestingly, many countries import whole pepper berries and then process them into powder for various culinary uses14.
Dr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S, M.S
Black pepper can be used in many dishes as this adds an aroma and a taste that can leave you craving for it all day. Here are some tasty recipes that you can add black pepper to.
Boneless pepper fry chicken is the tastiest among all other chicken dishes. This can leave your taste buds craving for more.
Ingredients:
Here is what you need to have to prepare your tasty dish of black pepper chicken:
Note: Before you prepare the chicken, it must be marinated with salt, ginger garlic paste and turmeric.
Preparation of Pepper Chicken:
Here is how you prepare your tasty dish of black pepper chicken:
Dry fried foods and black pepper are the perfect companions. The best part about pepper is that when it’s sprinkled at the last minute, it gives the food a finishing touch that makes your dish not only tasty but also healthy.
Ingredients:
Here is what you need to have before you cook your crunchy potato pepper fritters:
Preparation of Crunchy Potato Pepper Fritters:
Now that you have all your ingredients ready, it’s time to make your tasty dish of crunchy potato pepper fritters.
After frying them, you can add some pepper to them. Now your crispy and crunchy potato pepper fritters are ready to be munched.
Also Read: Mustard Oil: Health Benefits, Nutrition, Uses & Side Effects
Incorporating black pepper into your diet may offer remarkable health benefits, like better digestion and anti-inflammatory effects, in addition to improving the flavour of your food. There are several ways to include it in your daily diet, however, remember that it should be consumed in moderation. As black pepper might have side effects especially in case of certain medical conditions and also affect how well some medications are absorbed, you should be careful not to consume too much of it and speak with your healthcare provider to know the right daily requirement for you based on your condition..
Here are some frequently asked questions that will give you an insight into black pepper.
Black pepper may cause allergic reactions in some individuals.. Also, some individuals might experience side effects such as hyperacidity or stomach burns with excessive black pepper consumption.
If large quantities enter your lungs, it may result in difficulty in breathing and can be a medical emergency.
If crushed pepper enters your eyes, it may cause a severe burning sensation and the only way that you can get away from this is by washing your eyes and hands properly.
In rare cases, it is found that black pepper reacts to some medicines, may affect their absorption or cause irritation and allergies. It should be carefully consumed especially in case of any medical conditions and in pregnant women.
Yes, it does. Black pepper does help in good food digestion. By sprinkling some pepper powder on any of your meals, you may increase your body’s ability to break down food and aid in digestion. If in case you have consumed more pepper, then you may end up having acidity or stomach burns or ulcers, so moderation is key.
Yes, black pepper is found to have anti-inflammatory effects particularly due to its antioxidant content.. The major component found in black pepper piperine can help fight acute inflammation.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
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I love black Pepper
I normally take black pepper in an empty stomach with green tea adding Apple Cider Vinegar and honey. Is this contortion alright?