Go to any restaurant and you will find a pair of salt and pepper shakes on the table. No savoury cuisine can do away without using black pepper in them. Also called Kali Mirch in Hindi, Black pepper is one of the highest used spices in the world. It is cultivated in tropical countries, particularly the southern region of India. Black peppers are known for their heat and strong flavour. They are widely used in cooking and also in traditional Ayurveda medicines. These tiny black seeds are packed with nutrition and offer numerous health advantages. Let us learn more about nutritional facts and black pepper health benefits.
What Is Black Pepper?
Black peppers are dried fruits of the Peppercorn tree. The scientific name of Black Pepper is Piper Nigrum. They are grown on vines in humid climates. Raw peppers are green in colour, which are milder in taste compared to the berries which turn black after plucking them from the vine and drying them. The pungency of peppercorns comes from a chemical compound called Pepperdine, which is present at the white centre of the berry.
Types Of Black Pepper:
Black peppers are available in three categories:
- Black
- White
- Red
While you are already familiar with the black peppercorns, white peppers are essential black peppers with skin removed. They are less potent in flavour and are used in salads and soups. Red Peppers are the strongest of all pepper varieties and are formed by leaving the berries on the vines for a long time to turn red. They are also quite expensive and used mainly in Indian and Chinese cuisines.
Are Black Peppers Good For Health?
Black Peppers are a popular household remedy to cure common colds, cough, fever, pains and digestive problems. They are loaded with Vitamin C and Vitamin A which can cure many infections and even strengthen our immune system. Using black peppers regularly can lower the risk of many Cancers. That’s not all! Black Peppers can aid in losing weight easily. Read on to know many more surprising Kali Mirch benefits.
Black Pepper Nutrition:
Here is the nutritional breakup of Black Pepper per 100 grams serving:
- Total Calories: 351
- Total Fat: 3.3 gm
- Carbohydrates: 64 gm
- Potassium: 37 % DV
- Dietary Fiber: 25 gm
- Vitamin A: 10 %
- Calcium: 44 %
- Iron: 53 %
- Vitamin B6: 15 %
- Magnesium: 42 %
Black Pepper Benefits For Skin, Hair & Health:
Here we enlisted 19 best black Pepper benefits for health, hair and skin. Let’s have a look into them.
Black Pepper Benefits For Skin:
Here we enlisted top 2 kali mirch benefits for the skin. Let’s have a look into them.
1. Fights Wrinkles:
Women are usually concerned about lines of ageing and wrinkles which appear on their skin from the early thirties. They are a menace. To get rid of this problem, you must use black pepper. They have a high quantity of antioxidants which reduces the symptoms of ageing such as lines and spots.
Instead of spending a lot of money on expensive creams, we suggest you use some black pepper. This will rejuvenate your skin and show drastic results on your skin. The effectiveness of Black pepper for acne is also proven when applied as face masks.
2. Dead Skin Exfoliation:
You can use black pepper for purposes of exfoliation as well. They will remove all dead cells from your skin and make it refreshing and glowing. It will also promote blood circulation and provide more oxygen as well as nutrients to your skin.
You will feel fresh and hydrated all the time because of this what this amazing and healthy natural spice can do to you. It has also been used in several exfoliation beauty products as well because of this. So if you want clear, soft and supple skin, we suggest you get hold of black pepper.
Black Pepper Health Benefits:
Here we enlisted top 14 black pepper uses and benefits for health. Let’s have a look into them.
3. Promotes Weight Loss:
A great way to lose some weight loss is by incorporating some black pepper to your diet. You can add them to your dishes or look up some homemade remedies on the internet. You will surely get great results. The best way to use black pepper for weight loss is by adding it a glass full of lukewarm water and drinking it down early in the morning. You can also add some honey to it, in order to suppress the strong flavour. Make sure you are not adding too much pepper. Half a tablespoon is more than enough.
4. Dental Health:
Another important benefit that you can derive out of black pepper is dental health. You will surely have better and healthier teeth because of this. This ingredient has also been used in several kinds of toothpaste and other products. You will have stronger teeth and never feel you find the problem of smelling or stinking teeth. If you have tooth decay and would like quick relief from toothaches, we would definitely suggest you make use of pepper daily. You will surely get great results with time.
5. Anti-Depressant:
According to research, pepper acts as a very good anti-depressant. They promote better sleep at night and keep your mind calm and sedate. If you are one of those who are anxious and stressed often, you can definitely make use of black pepper. It stimulates the nervous system and improves your cognitive capacity.
You will be able to go about your daily activities without feeling stressed. This is one of the top reasons why doctors have advised us to use black pepper while cooking. You are going to derive a lot of benefit out of this.
6. Makes Yummy Recipes:
You can also make yummy and tasty recipes with the help of black pepper. This goes very well with almost every dish, except desserts of course. They are great for salads and fruit chats and can be also used for kebabs and steaks. Most Indian dishes require pepper in them. Since they make your dishes tasty and flavoursome, you should use black pepper. They are something you must keep in your kitchen.
See More: Bell Pepper Uses
7. Cough And Cold:
Black pepper for cough and cold is one of the popular home remedies. These tiny seeds are good for treating respiratory disorders and also ease congestion. According to researchers, they can also prevent cancers, especially skin cancer. So next time you have a common cold, you could use some black pepper before it gets worse.
8. Good For Stomach Related Issues:
Black pepper increases the hydrochloric acid secretion in the stomach, which helps in proper digestion. Daily consumption of black pepper helps to prevent the formation of intestinal gas and even promotes urination and sweating, which facilitate to remove toxins from the human body naturally.
Black pepper helps in expelling gas from the body as it is carminative, and it forces the gas out of the body in a healthy way. It is downward motion rather than upward which is a dangerous way as it could strain the upper chest and vital organs. It consumption even stops the further formation of gas in the body.
9. Fights Infections:
By use of black pepper, the human body can develop resistance to fight against infections and insects bites. If you add black pepper in your diet it helps to keep your arteries clean by scraping away excess cholesterol from the walls, thereby reducing the chances of heart attacks and strokes and providing a healthy life. Now you can stay healthy by just including black pepper in your diet plan.
10. Prevents Growth Of Cancer Cell:
The piperine in black pepper is responsible which prevents cancer cells growing and becomes over powerful if consumed with turmeric. The black beauty spice contains vitamins like Vitamin A & C, flavonoids, carotenes and anti-oxidants which helps in the removal of all free radicals from the body and prevent it from cancer and other diseases. The good way of eating black pepper and to avail the maximum benefit is to consume it fresh and not cooked with food.
11. Helps In Activation Of Brain Cells:
The condiment present in black pepper acts as a natural brain tonic and activates the brain cells. You can prepare the remedy at home by taking some Brahmi leaves and shallow fry in ghee or butter. Add some black pepper and sugar to it. By intake of this mixture, it activates the brain and it even acts as a boon for better vision also.
12. Cures Arthritis:
The presence of Piperine in black pepper is highly beneficial for treating arthritis problems because it has anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties. Moreover, this amazing spice helps in proper circulation of blood which indeed reduces the joint pain which occurs due to improper blood circulation.
See More: Red Bell Pepper Uses
13. Improved Metabolism:
Now we come to the final benefit of black pepper. This is called metabolism. Yes, if you use black pepper, your metabolism will be boosted and you will be able to digest food faster. Not only that, you will be able to burn calories and lose body fat. In fact, it just not increases metabolism but even curbs the cravings or urge of more food. It helps in restricting our cravings. The black pepper contains capsaicin, a compound that activates the body’s pain receptors, which increases the blood circulation and metabolism rate.
14. Lowers Blood Pressure:
If you are a hypertension patient, you are likely to get benefitted by black pepper. A compound called Piperine, present in black pepper is proven to lower the blood pressure levels significantly. Taking moderate amounts of black pepper along with your medication can safeguard your heart against high BP, which is one of the major advantages of black pepper.
15. Improves Male Fertility:
Studies show that black pepper can increase the level of testosterone in the body, which is a sex hormone in men. It also improves the quality of sperm in men and increases its concentration. Using black pepper is recommended for those men with low libido to improve their sexual performance. This is one of the top black pepper benefits for men.
16. Treats Diabetes:
One of the main Black pepper uses to the body is a reduction in blood sugar levels. This is why many diabetic patients are advised to switch to black pepper. The oils in black pepper can produce many enzymes to break down the starch of the food into glucose. Also by delaying the glucose absorption, black pepper regulates the sugar levels.
Black Pepper Benefits For Hair:
Here we enlisted top 3 black pepper uses for hair. Let’s have a look into them.
17. Treats Dandruff:
Black pepper is not just for your health and skin, but also your hair. If you have a dry, itchy and flaky scalp, we would suggest you use some black pepper. They are a great ingredient you could use to combat this dandruff problem.
How To Apply:
- Take some black pepper and add it to a bowl full of sour curd.
- Mix it well and apply all over your hair.
- Keep it in that way for the next twenty minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly with cold water. You don’t have to use shampoo at all for this.
- Don’t use too much black pepper or your scalp will burn.
18. Revitalization Of Hair:
You may also revitalize your hair with the help of black pepper.
How To Apply:
- Take some black pepper along with lemon seeds. Apply this all over your scalp.
- This will surely revitalize your hair and keep it soft, shiny and beautiful.
- You need to keep this mixture over your hair for about 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse it off with cold water.
- You will be surprised what this amazing homemade remedy can do to your hair and scalp.
See More: Yellow Bell Pepper Uses
19. Helps Hair Growth On Bald Scalp:
Black pepper stimulates your hair follicles and causes the growth of hair.
How To Apply:
- Take one-fourth cup of ground peppercorns, half a cup of olive oil and a glass jar with cover.
- Blend all the two ingredients to a smooth mixture and pour in the glass jar and seal the jar tightly for at least two weeks.
- After that drain the oil with the help of strainer and apply the oil to the roots of your hair.
- Cover it with a plastic cap and a warm towel for around 30 minutes and after that was the mix out of your hair completely.
- Repeated use of this would enable hair growth on your scalp and bald area of your scalp would be filled with hairs.
Black Pepper Side Effects:
Black pepper is quite hot in taste and must be taken in limited quantities. Consuming black pepper in excess or applying it directly onto the skin can lead to certain side effects. Check out some of the main disadvantages of black pepper.
- Burning Sensation.
- Nausea.
- Stomach Disorders.
- Ulcers.
- Acidity.
- Miscarriages in pregnant women.
- Oesophageal Cancer.
- Lowered blood pressure levels for hypertension patients.
We hope these 19 health benefits of black pepper has helped you understand the importance of this amazing spice! Having a pinch of black pepper powder daily can protect your family against many microbes and make you resistant to them. These may be tiny to look at but are might when it comes to their benefits to health. What are you waiting for? Sneak in some black pepper in your curries and salads to enjoy the goodness of the “King Of Spices”!
