One of the benefits of black pepper that we all know is as a spice in cooking. But who would have thought the ingredients used to make this spicy food, have also been known as traditional medicines for centuries.
Black pepper contains few carbohydrates, calories, vitamins A and K, calcium, potassium, and high antioxidants. Black pepper or commonly known as black pepper is the unripe fruit of the plant Piper nigrum which has been dried. In addition to being used as a cooking spice, it turns out that black pepper is also often used as traditional medicines to relieve certain diseases, such as stomach pain, scabies, nausea, diabetes, hypertension, to infections.
Examining the Benefits of Black Pepper for Health
Some of the health benefits of black pepper that you should know are:
- Acts as anti-inflammatoryOne of the potential benefits of black pepper for health is as an anti-inflammatory agent. This is because the piperine compounds contained in black pepper have the ability to relieve inflammation and contain high antioxidants.
- Capable fight infectionAnother benefit of black pepper is that it has antibacterial properties. A study reveals that black pepper oil can help fight bacteria E. coli which can cause infection through contaminated food. In addition, black pepper oil can also fight bacterial infections Staphylococcus causes of boils on the skin.
- Relieves flu symptomsThe benefits of black pepper can also be obtained as a reliever of flu symptoms. The spicy taste of black pepper acts as a natural decongestant and stimulates the formation of mucus to clear the airways.
- Maintain blood sugar levels
Clinical studies in people with type 2 diabetes also show that the supplementation of piperine contained in black pepper, plus the substance curcumin from turmeric has a good effect on controlling blood sugar levels and seems to be able to suppress inflammation in the liver.
- Overcoming difficulty swallowing in the elderlyDifficulty swallowing food in the elderly often causes serious problems, such as pneumonia. Luckily, studies show that the aroma produced by black pepper oil can stimulate the body's reflex to swallow food. This is good news for the elderly who have difficulty swallowing, such as post-stroke patients. Simply inhaling the natural aroma produced by black pepper oil can already help stimulate the swallowing muscle reflex.
- Prevent inflammation and infection of the stomachThe benefits of black pepper are traditionally used to treat symptoms of gastric disorders. Further research shows that black pepper does contain substances that can protect the lining of the stomach wall from the effects of inflammation, and can even suppress the growth of bacteria H. pylori which can cause infection and gastric ulcers. However, further clinical research is still needed to confirm the benefits of black pepper as an herbal medicine in overcoming gastric infections.
- Help control tumors and cancerA laboratory study revealed that the piperine contained in black pepper is thought to be able to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. The piperine substance in black pepper works by reducing the effects of free radicals and suppressing inflammation, so that the growth of cancer cells can be inhibited. However, further research is still needed to prove the benefits of black pepper in preventing cancer.
In addition, another benefit of black pepper is that it is thought to be able to treat bronchitis, malaria, and cholera. However, there is no accurate medical evidence of the effectiveness of black pepper in treating these conditions.
Given the many potential benefits of black pepper for health, we should not be too anti to this one food flavoring ingredient. However, also make sure you use black pepper within normal limits and don't use it too much, especially for pregnant women because it has the potential to cause miscarriage. Always consult a doctor before you take the health benefits of black pepper.
