The health benefits of black pepper

Black pepper, and its alkaloid component, piperine, is associated with many health benefits, including anti-inflammatory effects and potential cancer-fighting properties. Men have used pepper in traditional medicine for thousands of years, especially in Ayurveda,
the traditional Indian medicine system. It was mainly used by men to treat menstrual disorders and disorders of the ears, nose and throat. However, consuming too much black pepper can lead to gastrointestinal side effects, so care should be taken not to consume too much.

Currently, there are no dietary recommendations on how much black pepper a person, regardless of gender or age, should consume. However, adding herbs and spices can help add flavor to a dish when trying to reduce your dietary intake of added sugar, salt, and saturated fat.

Health Benefits of Black Pepper

Black pepper has several potential benefits for the health of the body and brain, most of which come from piperine, a compound in black pepper.

High antioxidant content

Piperine, the plant compound in black pepper, has strong antioxidant properties. The body creates free radicals, unstable molecules that can damage cells, both naturally and in response to environmental stresses. The excess damage from free radicals can lead to serious health problems, including inflammatory disease, heart disease, and some cancers. Research has shown that a diet rich in antioxidants can reduce free radical damage. For example, a study of test-tube and rodent studies showed that black pepper and piperine supplements may prevent or slow the progression of free radical damage and related diseases, such as atherosclerosis. , diabetes and cancer.

Anti-inflammatory benefits

While there is no extensive research in humans on the anti-inflammatory benefits of black pepper and piperine, several rodent studies suggest that piperine may help reduce inflammation.
For example, in a study to determine whether piperine could suppress heart damage associated with the cancer drug doxorubicin, researchers found that lab mice injected with piperine had reduced inflammation.

Another rodent study suggests that the anti-inflammatory properties of piperine may help protect kidney tissue damage associated with ischemia-reperfusion. Ischemia-reperfusion refers to tissue damage that occurs when a part of the body does not receive enough oxygen.
Researchers have also found that certain piperine supplements can help reduce chronic inflammation. known to people with metabolic syndrome.

Antibacterial properties

A handful of reviews and studies point to the antibacterial potential of piperine. For example, after a small review of studies examining the antibacterial properties of black pepper against gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, researchers concluded that the spice could be a potent ingredient for future disease therapies. infectious and foodborne pathogens.

Likewise, a test-tube study found that piperine and piperlongumine, a component of long pepper – can help fight multidrug-resistant pathogens. The study authors concluded that both compounds could be useful as bioactive compounds for new antibacterial drugs.

Anti-cancer properties

Although there have been no human studies to date, several laboratory studies suggest that the piperine in black pepper may have anti-cancer properties. For example, a comprehensive review of spices and cancer treatments indicates that studies have shown that piperine suppresses cancer cell replication in breast, prostate, and colon cancers. Likewise, this substance has shown promise as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. However, scientists need to conduct more studies to study this effect in depth.

Contribute to blood sugar control

A small 2013 human study on the effects of a supplement containing several bioactive food ingredients, including piperine, on insulin resistance found an improvement in insulin sensitivity. This means that the hormone insulin was better able to regulate the absorption of glucose.

Better nutrient absorption and gut health

Black pepper may help stimulate nutrient absorption, as well as exhibit prebiotic-like behavior, helping to regulate the gut microbiota and improve gastrointestinal health.

Stimulate brain functions

Several animal studies have shown that piperine can improve brain function, especially for symptoms associated with degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. For example, researchers have found that piperine helps improve memory in rats with Alzheimer’s disease, as well as reduce the formation of Alzheimer’s disease.

Risks and side effects of black pepper

There isn’t a lot of scientific evidence to suggest that black pepper poses major health risks and side effects. Consuming too much black pepper can cause digestive problems, but most herbs and spices do. And eating large amounts of black pepper can cause burning sensations in the mouth and throat.
However, some research suggests that black pepper, or more specifically piperine, can potentially cause unwanted effects in certain situations.

For example, studies involving rodents and humans have shown that piperine can promote the absorption of certain drugs, such as antihistamines. This can be useful for drugs that are poorly absorbed, but it can cause other drugs to be absorbed too high.

Black pepper and health: what to remember

For thousands of years, systems of folk and traditional medicine have incorporated black pepper and its main active ingredient, piperine. While most of the research on the health and wellness benefits of black pepper is preliminary and focuses more on animals than humans, it is promising and warrants further study. Pepper is an antioxidant that has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, among other health benefits. It can also stimulate brain function.