Benefits of black pepper: Peppercorn is a spice that spruces up your meals and comes with many medicinal properties and health benefits. At the same time, its unique flavour comes from piperine, black pepper containing iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, chromium, vitamins A and C, among other nutrients. Consumption of this may prevent dangerous diseases like cancer, besides aiding in weight loss and combatting cold and cough.
- RELIVES GAS: Black pepper relieves stomach gas. Black pepper has carminative properties; due to its consumption, the gas does not stop in the stomach and passes quickly. Therefore, black pepper proves to be most effective in aiding digestion-related issues of the body. Apart from this, the spice aids in relieving bloating or aching.
- MAY PREVENT CANCER: Black pepper may also protect the body from fatal diseases like cancer. For example, research conducted by the University of Michigan Cancer Center has shown that black paper is very helpful in preventing breast cancer from occurring. Black pepper contains vitamin C, vitamin A, flavonoids, carotenes and other antioxidants, which help prevent cancer.
- INCREASED APPETITE: Black pepper improves digestion and keeps the body healthy. People who lose appetite should include pepper powder in their meals. Black pepper absorbs all the nutrients and enhances the taste of the food (by providing all nutrients to the body).
- INDIGESTION AND DIARRHEA: Eat pepper for indigestion, diarrhoea and constipation. This is because pepper sends signals to the stomach from the taste buds and prompts them to produce hydrochloric acid. This acid helps digest all food ingredients and improves digestive power.
- COLD AND COUGH: Black pepper gives relief to cold cough or phlegm. Consumption of black pepper and garlic together provides comfort from the runny nose. During flu, drink milk mixed with black pepper for instant relief.
So add black pepper to your diet and reap the many benefits!
(With inputs from Nutritionist and Fitness Trainer Iram Zaidi)