Do you love the taste of black pepper? The strong musky smell and the spicy aftertaste after every bite? Well, there are some good things and some bad things that can come out of eating black pepper every day. Black pepper was once used to cure diseases but may also cause them if not used correctly. We will cover the pros and cons of consuming black pepper at least once every day, with or without mixing it together with food.
Below is the list of 15 things black pepper does to your body:
1. Improves Weight Loss
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Just like any other variety of spice, black pepper can be used for losing weight. The cause of this is by the spiciness from the black pepper raises the body’s heat, allowing the body to burn calories more easily. In addition, black pepper may also help with metabolism during exercising.
2. Maintains a Healthy Heart
Cultures that have spicy food in their daily meals have shown to have lower cases of heart diseases and strokes. Black pepper may help the heart by breaking down the Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) Cholesterol in the arteries.
3. Fight against Cancer Cells
Research conducted by the American Association of Cancer Research has shown results that the capsaicin (the cause of spiciness in black pepper) has the potentiality of killing some types of cancer cells (including leukemia cells).
4. Lowers Blood Pressure
Black pepper contains vitamins A and C, which are known vitamins that help in strengthening the arteries' walls. Once the walls are reinforced, the vitamin C will help break down the LDL cholesterol buildup (plaque), allowing the blood to flow easily.
5. Helps with Digestion
Black pepper is known as a good type of carminative. Meaning that black pepper can help break down food in the stomach. Once the food makes it to the small intestines, the broken-down food can be absorbed easily.
6. Treats Capsaicin
Black pepper can be a real threat when consumed in large quantities. Once the black pepper enters the stomach, pain may occur. The pain is caused by heat from the capsaicin in the black pepper. The pain may vary for everyone, but sometimes it can be hurt a lot.
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7. Reduces the Risks of Complications from Taking Medicine
Black pepper is used in many dishes but it is best not to take medication right before or after eating a meal containing black pepper. Studies have shown that the risk of consuming spicy meals with medication may affect the liver from breaking down certain types of medication.
8. Fights Against the Common Cold
Black pepper is naturally antibacterial and also an antibiotic (from vitamin C). When the black pepper is mixed with food, the heat from the spice will fight back the nasal congestion.
9. Enhances Brain Power
Black pepper contains piperine which also inhibits an enzyme that can break down serotonin, which is also known as the calming neurotransmitter. A study conducted in India has proven that piperine in the black pepper can decrease the amount of amyloidal plaque which may prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
10. Increases Fertility in Men
Black pepper can raise testosterone levels in men as it contains high levels of zinc and magnesium, the two major minerals for male hormones. Black pepper can also help increase the sperm count.
11. Fights Against Diabetes
The antioxidants found in black pepper can stabilize blood sugar levels by regulating hyperglycemia. A study conducted in India proved that black pepper constrained the enzymes that break down starch into glucose, which is the cause of diabetic symptoms to worsen.
12. Tightens the Skin
Black pepper contains many different types of antioxidants that can help decrease the number of wrinkles that appear on the skin. The antioxidants can also help fight against fine lines and dark spots.
13. Helps Alleviate Constipation
Black pepper is a carminative, which means it can be used as a remedy for constipation. When black pepper is consumed daily, bacterial diseases, diarrhea, and constipation can be prevented from happening.
14. Combats Depression
Studies have shown that the piperine found in black pepper affects the neurotransmitters in the brain (chemicals such as serotonin). Such as a study conducted by the National Institute for Health, rats were given piperine and showed that even a small dose could affect their activity to become more active than depress and it also improved their cognitive function.
15. Contains Vitamins and Minerals
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Black peppers are very rich in vitamins and minerals. The main vitamins that can be found are A, C, and K. Other minerals that can also be found in black pepper are thaimin, pyrixodine, riboflavin, folic acid, choline, copper, iron, calcium, manganese, phosphorous, and zinc.
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