Black Pepper: 24 Reasons and uses to eat it for good health

13. Anti-microbials

Both in vivo and in vitro study results confirm the efficacy of black pepper extracts as natural antimicrobials and suggests the possibility of using them in treatment procedures.

14. Protects DNA damage

Study suggest that black pepper has a potent antigenotoxic effect and helps to prevent DNA damage. This helps to reduce the risk of cell mutation that can lead to cancer or tumor related dangerous diseases.

15. Depression

Black pepper has anti-depressant effect  and can be helpful in stress induced depression. Studies has found taking black pepper along with turmeric can be helpful in the treatment of depressive disorders.

In other study, piperine dound in black pepper can relieve depression in rats by modulating the function of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This HPA axis is a major part of  neuroendocrine system that controls reactions to stress and regulates many body processes, including digestion, the immune system, mood and emotions, sexuality, and energy storage and expenditure.

Several other study confirms the anti-depressant activity of black pepper involves the serotonergic system and is associated with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition.

16. Weight loss

Eating food containing black pepper helps to break fat cells and boost metabolism. This helps to remove unwanted fat and reduce weight naturally.

Studies indicates taking black pepper along with ginger helps to enhance fat digestion and prevent the accumulation of absorbed fat, by enhancing secretion of bile salts and a stimulating of the activity pancreatic lipase.

17. Enhances nutrients absorption

Various studies indicate that including dietary spices like black pepper have a beneficial effect on intestinal villi by increasing the absorptive surface of the small intestine, providing for an increased bioavailability of micronutrients.

18. Prevent cadmium poisoning

Studies has found turmeric and black pepper prevent and treat cadmium poisoning. Exposure to cadmium in even lower dosage can be lethal to human health and can result in to various bone, kidney, liver, brain or nerve related disorders.

19. Anti-inflammatory

Piperine in black pepper has strong anti-inflammatory effect and can be prevent or treat various inflammation like inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis and preventing neurodegenerative diseases.

In a study, black pepper helps and reduce colonic inflammation.

In another study, piperine reduces symptoms of human metabolic syndrome by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.

20. Good for heart health

Intake of black pepper boost heart health and prevent heart related disease. In a study, piperine, the main alkaloid of black pepper has an antioxidant activities which prevent heart from oxidaive stress.

21. Prevent thyroid related problems

Eating black pepper has positive impact on thyroid hormones and helpful in thyroid related problems.

Study has found that black pepper protects red blood cells from oxidative stress by improving antioxidant state and  modulate thyroid hormones.

22. Anti-bacterial

Black pepper has antibacterial properties that makes it useful against various infections and insect bites.

23. Useful in skin problems

Studies has found black pepper is useful in treating vitiligo. Vitiligo is a skin disease in which some area of skin loses its pigment and turn into white. Black pepper helps to regain that lost pigment in the skin.

In another study, if UVA radiation is used with piperine in the treatment of vitiligo, application of the compound and irradiation should be staggered to minimize photoisomerization. This approach is shown to effectively induce pigmentation.

24. Useful in auto-immune diseases

Recent in vitro study has found, piperine found in black pepper can be used as a possible natural source treatment for T lymphocyte-mediated transplant rejection and autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disorder occurs when immune system of the body is under attack and destroys healthy body tissues by mistake.