Black Pepper

Black pepper is a highly versatile spice due to its ability to add flavour, depth, spice and heat to meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, salad dressings, soups, stir-fries, pasta, and more. It adds a kick to dips and marinades, makes a great sauce, and is also used as a condiment, in addition to acting as a preservative. Aside from its usage as a flavour enhancer, black pepper has been used in ancient Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years due to its huge array of benefits for the body.

Nutrition

Black seed oil contains active compounds including oleoresins and alkaloids such as piperine and chavicine, antioxidants, flavonoids, essential oil, and other phenolic compounds, plus  vitamins A, B1, B2, B5, B6, C, E , K and minerals calcium, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc.  

Piperine, the alkaloid which produces the pungent taste (and is also responsible for making you sneeze!) is the main component responsible for many of black pepper’s health-boosting qualities. 

Antioxidant Protection & Immune Support

Black pepper, and in particular piperine, displays potent antioxidant effects, helping to fight free radicals and lowering the risk of chronic illnesses including cardiovascular disease, cancer and neurological conditions. One test by the National Institute of Nutrition in India concluded that black pepper had the highest concentration of antioxidants of the foods they had analysed.

Black pepper can help to boost the white blood cells which your body uses to protect  against invading bacteria and viruses, thus enhancing the immune system and helping  you stay healthy and well.

Has Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Chronic inflammation is believed to be a key factor in many chronic conditions, such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, and research indicates that piperine can effectively reduce inflammation and produced less joint swelling and fewer blood markers of inflammation in subjects with arthritis, in addition to suppressing inflammation in the airways caused by asthma and seasonal allergies.

Benefits the Brain

Piperine has been shown to inhibit an enzyme responsible for breaking down serotonin, the calming neurotransmitter and degrading the function of melatonin which regulates the sleep/wake cycle.

More importantly, it has shown great potential in the treatment of brain conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Dopamine is usually deficient in patients with Parkinson’s and piperine is able to inhibit an enzyme which disrupts the production of dopamine, the feel-good hormone, and thus is also helpful in the treatment of depression. It is also able to delay brain ageing, enhance the nerve activity in the brain, protect the nerve cells and prevent early cell death, decrease the formation of amyloid plaque and improve memory, helping to guard against Alzheimer’s. Black pepper may also help to protect against seizures, and has also demonstrated beneficial effects in stroke patients.

Blood Sugar Control

Black pepper may be able to help stabilise blood sugar levels and regulate hyperglycemia, thereby aiding in diabetes treatment. One study, comprising of 86 overweight people, demonstrated significant improvements in insulin sensitivity after 8 weeks of taking a supplement of piperine and other compounds. According to a 2013 study, black pepper inhibits the two enzymes that break down starch into glucose and accelerates diabetic symptoms. Piperine has shown to be a bio-enhancing agent which can be used alongside one of the common diabetes medications to reduce the dose taken as well as its side effects, whilst still effectively easing the symptoms of the disease.

Reduces Cholesterol Levels

Piperine inhibits an enzyme in the liver involved in cholesterol synthesis. It effectively reduces LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides (fat in the blood) and simultaneously increases HDL (“good”) cholesterol. It may also boost the absorption of dietary supplements such as turmeric and red yeast rice which have cholesterol-lowering effects.

Lowers Blood Pressure

Studies have indicated that piperine can control and effectively lower an increase in blood pressure.

May have Cancer-Fighting properties

Studies have demonstrated that piperine exerts protective activity against numerous forms of cancer. It helps to prevent colon cancer by reducing the stress on the rectum and has shown similar properties regarding prostate cancer. It has also demonstrated a potential to slow the replication of breast, prostate and colon cancer cells and induce cancer cell death. Additionally, piperine has shown an ability to enhance the effects of traditional treatment and reverse multidrug resistance in cancer cells, and has demonstrated an increased efficiency for triple-negative breast cancer, the most aggressive cancer type, plus improved the effect of a chemotherapy medication used in the treatment of  prostate cancer. Furthermore, it increases the absorption of other nutrients in the intestines, such as selenium, curcumin, beta-carotene, and B vitamins  that are vital for cancer prevention.

Improves Digestive Health

Black pepper promotes digestion by stimulating the digestive juices and enzymes, enhancing the breakdown and digestion of the food. It also helps to promote gut health by increasing the good bacteria in your gut, plus has calmative propertied to relieve flatulence and discomfort.

Promotes Weight loss

Studies have demonstrated that piperine inhibits fat cell formation. Furthermore, at  just 8 calories a teaspoon it’s a healthy and tasty alternative to calorie laden dressings – just compliment it with a squeeze of lemon.