Thinking about black pepper, all we know is that it is a tropical spice sprinkled on watermelon, omelets, or added to juices to light up the taste. Black pepper was an adored entity in ancient Greece and ancient Rome, and it reached even more massive popularity during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. More than just a food taste enhancer, black pepper suggests health benefits thanks to its bioactive compounds, piperine being the most noteworthy. Piperine is a natural alkaloid that gives black pepper a spicy and savory taste. It is also the central element that gives black pepper its health-boosting traits. Will you believe it if we tell you that these zesty black round balls have a bunch of benefits for your skin? It really works wonders when it comes to your skin. Still won’t believe it? Let us explain!

Health Benefits of Black Pepper

So, What is Black Pepper?

“Black pepper” comes from the Sanskrit word pippali. It was earlier known as ‘black gold.’ Scientifically called Piper nigrum, black pepper is a flowering vine farmed for its fruit. After drying, this fruit is used as spice and seasoning. Also, it has one of the lengthiest records as a sought-after spice due to its capacity to flavor foods and add warmth to a dish. The dried fruit is “peppercorn.” There are three sorts of peppercorns – black, green, and white.

It is not only a favorite spice in Indian cuisine but also a great source of nutrients and antioxidants. It helps improve your overall health and protects you from various skin-related conditions. Chemically, it contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that helps boost your immune system. It also holds the essential oil piperine. Its essential oil helps ease muscle aching, digestive problems, and even inflammatory arthritis. The aromatic goodness of essential oil derived from black pepper make it favorable for perfumes and preservatives. Black pepper encloses antibacterial, immune-boosting, and fever-reducing effects. 

Nutrition

This aromatic spice retains a host of active compounds, especially ‘oleoresins and alkaloids like piperine and chavicine. It also has antioxidants, flavonoids, and other phenolic chemicals that help defend your cells and boost digestion-linked issues.

It is also a source of the following vitamins and minerals:

• Vitamin K
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin A
• Thiamine (B1)
• Riboflavin (B2)
• Pantothenic Acid (B5)
• Vitamin B6
• Manganese
• Copper
• Iron
• Calcium
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Selenium
• Zinc
• Chromium

Health Benefits of Black Pepper

Black pepper is an acceptable source of magnesium. This mineral can help with bone health, heal wounds, and tackle depression and anxiety. In fact, a teaspoon of black pepper contributes 13 percent of your daily recommended intake (DRI) of manganese and 3 percent of your DRI of vitamin K.

Piperine is a class of antioxidants that helps reduce the risk of chronic illnesses like atherosclerosis, heart diseases, and neurological disorders. This compound also has a favorable effect on nutrient bioavailability (absorption). Adding it to your meal increases the nutrients absorbed into your bloodstream. The same is the case with Turmeric and curcumin. The spice turmeric is notorious for poor absorption in your bloodstream. That is why black pepper is somehow a necessary staple spice with turmeric. Because it ensures its bioavailability by up to 2000 times for reaping the maximum health benefits of turmeric.

Health Benefits of Black Pepper: Supports Digestion and Intestinal Health

Black pepper helps to produce hydrochloric acid(HCL) in your stomach so you can effectively digest and absorb your meals. It also carries carminative effects, which help ease discomfort and gas buildup in your intestines. Piperine also augments the absorption of nutrients like selenium, curcumin, beta-carotene, and B vitamins in your intestines – vital for a healthy gut and cancer deterrence.

Weight Loss Benefits

The bioactive piperine extract kills the fat cells in your body. Simply a dash of this spice sprinkling on your meals, curries, soups, and salads can make a difference if you aim to lose some inches off your waist or any accumulated body fat. The healthy fiber content in black pepper will be your supportive friend for your weight loss journey.

Discourages Cancer

Studies after studies have shown that the piperine in black pepper drills shielding activity against multiple structures of cancer.  A random Canadian study also endorsed the anti-cancer effects of black pepper on piperine. It relieves the stress on the rectum and helps discourage colon cancer. It showed similar results in cases of prostate cancer, too. And not just that, piperine was also found to improve the efficacy of docetaxel (a chemotherapy medication used to treat prostate cancer).

Treat Bad Breath & Tooth Decay

Bacteria usually cause bad breath on the tongue, mouth, and gums that break down proteins in food into sulfur compounds that smell bad. The smell-causing bacteria thrive in an environment with low oxygen levels, like the back of your throat or between teeth; they take up residence there and make you reek like a garbage dump when they start breaking down proteins from your diet! The piperine found in black pepper kills off these odor-causing bugs while leaving healthy ones alone so that you’ll have fresher breath without having to spend hours brushing every day (which would be pretty annoying). In fact, just adding one teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper powder into warm water twice daily will help fight bad breath naturally and effectively!

Alleviate Bronchitis, Nasal & Chest congestion.

Pepper oil is a common ingredient in many home remedies for congestion, coughs, colds, and other respiratory problems. You can apply it topically to alleviate nasal congestion by placing a few drops of pepper on the inner side of your nose or inhaling it through steam inhalation or vaporization.
It would be best if you kept some handy.

Immune Support

A robust immune system enables you to evade illness, and black pepper can assist here. Its active elements increase white blood cells, which your body uses to combat intruding bacteria and viruses.

Detoxifies The Body

This super spice washes off the toxins throughout your body and helps stimulate blood circulation. Thanks to its antioxidant agent! They fight against the odds in your body by making your immune system aware of the invaders.

Benefits of Black Pepper for the Skin

Not only do the health benefits of black pepper include helping boost your immune system, but it also has several other great uses. It is packed with various vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that improve digestion and help prevent infections like colds and flu by boosting the body’s immunity. Many people suffer from common skin problems like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. These conditions can make your skin look dull and lifeless. Black pepper has many incredible benefits for the skin that you have probably never heard of. This spice can help clear up acne and other skin problems by bringing more blood to the surface of your face, which helps clear away dirt and oil buildup.

Removes Fine Lines & Wrinkles

The bioactive antioxidants inside black pepper fight free radicals that induce signs of aging and harm your skin in more than one way. It reverses the signs of premature aging – including fine lines and even dark spots. Antioxidants scavenge free radicals, which cause premature aging, thus contributing to its healthy appearance. Being loaded with antioxidants, it protects the skin from various sources of stress, such as UV rays and pollution. A variety of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients in the form of antioxidants not only protect the skin from various sources of stress, such as UV rays and pollution, but they also keep the skin healthy and glowing.

ANTI-WRINKLE MASK

What you have to do is to add black pepper to your daily meals to see its skin-firming effects. Either you can combine a teaspoon of powdered black pepper with equal parts of honey or turmeric. Add water for a greasier thickness. Apply the mask to your face once a day.

Soothe Skin Inflammation

Black pepper essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe itchy and irritated skin. It can also be used to treat arthritis, gout, and other inflammatory conditions. The essential oil in black pepper contains a chemical called piperine that’s been shown to inhibit the enzymatic activity that breaks down certain types of cells involved in inflammation. This means less swelling and pain from the first use! When used topically, black pepper helps in pain relief.  Yes! Black pepper has been known to help in pain relief. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it can help reduce joint pain associated with arthritis or gout. The same applies to other types of pain as well. After all, there is no reason why you shouldn’t use black pepper topically if it helps improve your overall health and wellness.

That is the Way to go!

One effective way of using black pepper for skin inflammation or pain relief is by toping black pepper oil on the affected area. You can mix some black pepper oil with coconut or olive oil before massaging it onto your skin for about 10 minutes twice a day until you feel better. If you don’t have time for DIY remedies like this one, buy pure organic black peppercorn oil from any health store near where you live today!

Unclog Pores by Removing the Dirt and Debris present on the face

One of the most common problems many people face is a clogging of the pores. This is mainly because they do not care for their skin properly and allow dirt, debris, sweat, and oil to build up in the follicles. If this is left unchecked for a long time, it can lead to blackheads as well as acne breakouts on the skin. Black pepper helps remove these impurities from your face by opening up your pores and removing them from within so that you get a good cleanse without having to scrub hard with harsh chemicals or products which may damage your skin even further!

Exfoliate The Skin 

Black pepper can exfoliate the skin and oust dead skin cells. This makes your skin smooth. Crumble some black pepper and make a scrub to dismiss dead skin cells and exfoliate your skin.

EXFOLIATION PACK

Just take 1/2 teaspoon of powdered black pepper and 1 teaspoon of yogurt. After application, let it sit for 20 minutes and wash it off.

This face pack will erase toxins from your skin, leaving it soft and glowing. Its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects help treat acne. It also promotes blood circulation and supplies more oxygen and nutrients within your blood. That is why the skin looks bright and pink after using this face pack.

Owing to its antibacterial properties, it can kill acne-causing bacteria on the skin.

According to a study published in the Journal of Natural Science, Biology, and Medicine, piperine effectively treats acne and reduces inflammation and redness.

CONCLUSION

Black pepper has many incredible health benefits for the skin you have probably never heard of. This spice can help clear up acne and other skin problems by bringing more blood to the surface of your face, which helps clear away dirt and oil buildup. So, now you know that black pepper is not just about adding a spicy taste to your food but also has many health benefits. Suppose you are suffering from any of the problems mentioned above. In that case, it’s time to start using black pepper as part of your daily routine.

CITATIONS

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Takooree H, Aumeeruddy MZ, Rengasamy KRR, Venugopala KN, Jeewon R, Zengin G, Mahomoodally MF. A systematic review on black pepper (Piper nigrum L.): from folk uses to pharmacological applications. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30740986/ Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(sup1):S210-S243. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2019.1565489. Epub 2019 Feb 11. PMID: 30740986.

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