- Make It Yourself Lavender Heart-Shaped Bath Bombs!
- 20 Things You Never Knew About “Down There”
- 12 Best Foods For Those Suffering From Arthritis Pain
- 12 Personal Hygiene Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes (Mom Never Told You About #4!)
- 15 Medicinal Plants And Herbs From The Cherokee People
- 12 Mind-Blowing Benefits Of Drinking Coconut Water During Pregnancy
- 12 Outstanding Winter Foods That Won’t Fatten You Up Like A Christmas Turkey
Top 10 Shocking Health Benefits From This One Table Spice
Photo credit: bigstock
There is one extremely common spice that you find on almost every kitchen table, every restaurant table, and in every fast food restaurant, that is loaded with healthy benefits but almost no one knows it. Which spice is this? Pepper. Plain old black pepper. Yes, as in salt and pepper, that one! This super tasty spice has so much going for it, it’s not surprising that we see it being used everywhere; it’s just that many people don’t know why. Black pepper has so much more to offer us than just a little spicy flavor!
In fact, you might not know it, but black pepper is actually a part of a fruit that comes from a flowering vine. Those little fruits are what we call peppercorns. Peppercorns are ground up into white, black, and red pepper powders that add a touch of warm flavor to many dishes. Due to its natural heat, it can help to clear out your sinuses so you can breathe easier. It also contains antibacterial properties, which help to fight off bacterial infections, along with other essential nutrients that keep your respiratory system healthy such as vitamins K, C, iron, potassium, and manganese. This is probably why most homemade chicken soup recipes call for a good dose of black pepper, and why your mom made you a big pot of soup when you were sick.
Historically, black pepper was used to treat a wide variety of symptoms, as well as diseases. It has long been used to treat anemia, impotence, heart disease, stomach problems, and heart disease. It was even used in ancient times to preserve foods.
Take a look at the top 10 health benefits we can all derive from black pepper.
1. Improves bioavailability
Eating black pepper can help the body more easily absorb nutrients from the food you eat and improve overall health.
2. Treats skin issues
Great Britain conducted research that showed that piperine, the active ingredient in black pepper, was a very effective treatment for skin diseases such as vitiligo, a skin problem that causes certain areas of the skin to lose its pigmentation. Regular consumption of pepper can decrease susceptibility to skin cancers that are caused due to overexposure to the sun.
3. Aids in weight loss
The outside layer of peppercorns contains a compound that can improve the metabolism of fat. Adding more black pepper to foods might help those looking to lose weight.
4. Reduces inflammation
Research done with animals shows that piperine has a natural anti-inflammatory effect on the body. This can help reduce your chance of chronic diseases, such as arthritis.
5. Contains powerful antioxidants
Black pepper is loaded with an organic compound called phenols, which are strong antioxidants. These are important to the body when it comes to fighting off free radical damage that can cause cell damage and premature aging.
Continue to Page 2
