6 reasons why pepper is really good for you

Do you always bury your steak under pepper because you love the taste? Do you practically bread your tomatoes with it? Here’s an extra reason to grind generously: black pepper turns out to be incredibly healthy. That’s because of piperine (we’re not making that up), a substance that those black peppercorns are absolutely packed with.

Helps other spices

Thanks to piperine, your body can absorb other substances more effectively. This applies, for example, to the healthy compounds in turmeric (golden moonmilk, anybody?) and carotenes. Going for a curry—with a fair amount of turmeric? Then go ahead and turn that pepper mill.

Good for your gut

According to aHealthyLife, pepper stimulates the release of enzymes by your intestines and pancreas. And that, in turn, is good for your digestion. Black pepper can also help if you have diarrhea. Okay, if things are really churning in your stomach you’re probably better off grabbing something else, but it can’t hurt to try, right?

Is a natural painkiller

At least in animals, because black pepper’s pain-relieving effect has not yet been demonstrated in humans. A cream containing black pepper helped animals with muscle pain.

Helps prevent you from overeating

This was also only tested on animals: the black pepper slowed down their stomachs, meaning the animals did not overeat. Black pepper may also curb feelings of hunger, says aHealtyLife.

Good for your brain

Now, these are some hefty promises: black pepper could help combat Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Scientists still don’t know exactly how, writes aHealthyLife, but it may have something to do with preventing amyloid plaques in the brain. Sounds good, but as long as scientists still don’t know anything for certain, I wouldn’t replace the hospital’s neuroscience department with a spice rack just yet.

And good against… cancer?

Pepper acts as an antioxidant, which could in turn lower the risk of developing cancer and tumors. Aha. Right. Tsk. Credibility: not exactly sky-high.

Fairy-tale news

Fortunately, the writer of the article on aHealthyLife does note that most studies into the health effects of black pepper have mainly been carried out on animals. And although Mr. Owl claims, “Animals are exactly like people,” medically speaking, it’s a little more complicated than that. Which newspaper did Mr. Owl read from again? Black pepper is delicious, but don’t expect miracles.

Also read:

• The difference between black and white pepper
• Aha, so that’s what the cap on your pepper and salt mill is for
• Raw vegetables: don’t eat this one if you want to stay reasonably healthy

Source: aHealthyLife