'Black Pepper' and it's health benefits

‘Spices’or ‘Masala’ the very word reminds us of various culinary delicacies which are tempting always. In India, atleast, no one can imagine food without addition of spices even though they might be in small proportions. While buying grounded spices (mixed and ready spices) make sure you go for the best. Pallavi’s Spices, home -made & traditional spices like Garam Masala, Goda (Kala) Masala, Gavran Maratha Masala, Chilly Milly Masala etc. are manufactured with numerous best quality ingredients with a right mix of various spices for that healthy meals  with unique taste and aroma. These ingredients used in spices play a vital role in increasing our immune system & also help to keep our body healthy.  We will understand the role of various spices used and to start with let’s take ‘Black Pepper’ first.

Black Pepper:

The scientific name is “Piper nigrum.” In Marathi it is known by “Mire.” These are hot in taste. Black Pepper plants (Creepers) are mostly found in Southern India, in Kerala & also very rarely in Konkan region. These pepper plants have peppercorns which later are used as ‘Pepper’ after drying for long time. When it’s shell is broken we get ‘White Pepper’. While both types of pepper are widely used in cooking they have different properties. Black pepper is widely preferred and is also used as a medicine. 

Health benefits of 'Black Pepper'

• Helps with digestion
• Prevents gases
• Promotes sweating and urination
• Helps lose weight
• Promotes healthy skin
• Gives relief from cough and colds
• Antibacterial
• Keeps arteries clean
• Great Antioxidant
• Good for hearnia and insect bites
• Treats respiratory conditions (like asthama)
• Treats tooth decay and toothache                                                                                                                                                  

§  Improve Digestion and Promote Intestinal Health:

Black pepper stimulates the taste buds in such a way that an alert is sent to the stomach to increase hydrochloric acid secretion, thereby improving digestion. Hydrochloric acid is necessary for the digestion of proteins and other food components in the stomach. When the body's production of hydrochloric acid is insufficient, food may sit in the stomach (does not digest in a proper way) for an extended period of time, leads to heartburn or indigestion, or it may pass into the intestines, where it can be used as a food source for unfriendly gut bacteria, which produces gas, irritation, and/or diarrhea or constipation.

Black pepper has demonstrated impressive antioxidant and antibacterial effects--yet another way in which this wonderful seasoning promotes the health of the digestive tract.

§  Black Pepper and Anorexia :

For people who suffer from mild Anorexia, Black Pepper can also help them regain their appetite because it stimulates their taste buds.

§  Black Pepper and Congestion :

Are you suffering from a chest cold? Add Black Pepper to your diet, and this spice will help break-up the congestion, especially if you add it to a strong, steaming hot cup of mint tea.

§  Black Pepper and Healing Cuts :

Another amazing health benefit of Black Pepper is that it's a handy spice to have in the kitchen when you cut yourself. The next time you have a minor cut, sprinkle Black Pepper on it. It will help stop the bleeding. Plus, its antibacterial properties will promote healing and kill germs.

Black peppercorns contain a good amount of minerals like potassium, calcium, zinc, manganese, iron, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, Iron is essential for cellular respiration and blood cell production.

They are also an excellent source of many vital B-complex groups of vitamins such as Pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin and niacin, which helps in maintaining the functions of skin, eyes & nervous system & also take part in various bio-chemical reactions takes place in the body.

Peppercorns are a good source of many anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamin-C and vitamin-A. These compounds help the body to remove harmful free radicals and help protect from cancers and diseases.

The black pepper is the vital element used in the spices and serves lots of nutritional values to your health. Next week we will brief our spicezens about the important features of Cinnamon (Dalchini). 

This article on Black Pepper was prepared by Ms. Gandhali Gode, Consulting Nutritionist and Dietician, Pallavi's Spices