You know the saying “spice of life”? I’m starting to think they came up with that in reference to black pepper.
Its longevity alone suggests its power.
Known to traditional Indian cuisine as far back as 2 BCE and found in mummies dating 1215 BCE, peppercorns were once considered ‘black gold’ and have been a much prized commodity for centuries.
To this day, some legal systems still adopt the term “peppercorn rent” as a form of a token payment made for something that is being given.
More and more people are avoiding excess salt in their foods. Although they may not be putting it on their plate, sodium levels are through the roof in the processed and packaged foods lining the shelves of grocers nationwide.
Sodium and water retention are directly in line with each other and some serious health risks can result including difficulty breathing, chest pain and ulcers so it is no wonder we want to avoid salt at all costs.
But what many don’t know is that black pepper is actually a diuretic and works to flush the body of excess sodium and toxins.
Here are 5 other little known health benefits of this tiny but powerful seasoning:
1. Digestive Aid
Part of the reason we have a hard time digesting foods is our inability to produce sufficient acids to help break down the bits and pieces. Black pepper increase the hydrochloric acid secretion in the stomach and can also minimize intestinal gas.
Toxins in our bodies also prevent the lining of our digestive tract from functioning and because pepper is a natural diuretic, it will help flush these harmful inhabitants and get things moving along nicely.
2. Relieves Congestion
Traditional Indian cuisine and Ayurvedic practice have long benefited from the powerful properties of pepper. Try saying that three times fast!
With expectorant properties, pepper helps break up the mucus and phlegm from bacterial infections and will clear the respiratory tract by activating a sneeze or cough response.
3. Heal Wounds
It may not be your first thought but black peppercorn is actually very clean. In fact it has high antibacterial properties and can help fight against infections and encourage rapid healing. It can also help stop the bleeding of a fresh wound if applied in ground form.
4. Anti-oxidant
Some of my research revealed a growing amount of evidence which suggests black pepper may have cancer fighting attributes. With intense antioxidants, black pepper can repair the damage caused by free radicals. It may also protect your system from premature degenerative symptoms like wrinkles, age spots, and even memory loss.
5. Increases Appetite
There is a reason we pepper our food: it stimulates the taste buds. This has actually shown so effective that it can even aid in the recovery of some eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia.
Alternatively, black pepper can actually encourage weight loss because the outer layer of a peppercorn breaks down fat cells quickly and effectively. So it can actually help achieve both a healthy weight and regulate your hunger.
