The benefits of black pepper
Few people realise the enormous health benefits that can be derived from black pepper, so we’ve put our noses to the grindstone to bring you the latest and greatest facts, research, and a hot tip (pun intended).
FACT #1
Buying whole peppercorns and grinding as needed is better than buying pre-ground black pepper because it preserves more nutrients.
FACT #2
Freshly ground black pepper helps ‘transport’ the benefits of other spices, herbs and compounds, especially turmeric – see our ‘hot tip’ below.
FACT #3
Black pepper is full of vitamins and minerals such as:
Thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin E, folate, vitamin K, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium.
FACT #4
Move over expensive weight loss programs, we’re armed with pepper grinders and we’re not afraid to use them because we know black pepper aids digestion and enhances weight loss by breaking down fat cells.
FACT #5
Want to keep your brain in optimal condition? Black pepper (freshly ground) can help with brain function. Even better, research suggests that black pepper could be beneficial in helping people with Alzheimer’s disease. It’s early days in the research in this field, but it looks promising. The great part about this is that if you try this with a loved one who has Alzheimer’s, you’re not putting more drugs into their system. You’re just passing them the pepper grinder at the dinner table.
~HOT TIP~
Black pepper can enhance the ability to absorb the benefits of turmeric. One of the beneficial things about turmeric is curcumin, but unfortunately, humans don’t absorb curcumin very well. Research suggests that combining black pepper with curcumin (turmeric) increases the uptake of the benefits of curcumin by up to 2000%! Next time you reach for the turmeric or black pepper, think of its co-dependant spice sibling and give both a shake over your meal.
There are many, many more benefits of black pepper, so why not try it? It’s cheaper than drugs, medication and therapy and adds flavour to your meals. It can’t do you any harm, and it’s more than likely going to help so the next time that waiter offers to grind fresh black pepper onto your meal, say yes.
