Health Benefits of Black Pepper

•         Improves Digestion: Black Pepper helps release hydrochloric acid when consumed, which leads to the breakdown of proteins and absorption of food. Adding just a pinch of black pepper to your food helps aid the whole process of digestion.
•         Relieves cold and cough: Black pepper is considered an integral ingredient in most of the cold and cough remedies. It’s packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that in turn help relax throat irritation and congestion.
•         Improves Blood-Sugar Levels: Piperine is a chemical present in Black Pepper that helps regulate blood sugar levels hence regulates glucose and controls blood pressure.
•       Detoxifies the body: Black pepper makes a person sweat more hence helps in the release of toxins in the body. Detox drinks including black pepper, if regularly taken can also help in weight loss and improving skin texture.  
•         Pain Relief: Black Pepper is known to reduce pain and discomfort in the body. The anti-inflammatory properties of black pepper help in numbing the pain receptors in the body. This reduces the body pain, therefore acts as a substitute for painkillers and medicines.

Incorporate Black Pepper in your day to day life

Black pepper, if taken on a day to day basis can impact an individual’s health to a massive extent. Black pepper can be easily added to soups and hot beverages to help alleviate congestion and sore throat. Some easy ways to use black pepper are as follows:

•       Black Pepper and Honey tonic works wonders for sore throat and infections. Crush a few black peppercorns and mix them with a tablespoon of honey. Add some warm water to the mix and dilute it. Take this tonic 2-3 times a day if you’re suffering from a sore throat and pain. It not only relieves congestion but also treats throat inflammation and helps fight cold.  
•       Black Pepper in tea is another commonly used home remedy during winters. If one is suffering from a cold or even just feeling lethargic, this remedy helps boost energy and warms up the body. Prepare your tea like the usual way you would, add a few crushed peppercorns and some salt instead of sugar. This will immediately make you feel more active and warmer on the inside.
•       Black pepper, ghee and salt to cure indigestion. Crush peppercorns into powder, add a 1 tsp of ghee and a pinch of salt. This concoction acts as a remedy for an upset stomach and is harmless if taken on a regular basis for proper digestion.
•       Black pepper can be added to fruits, salads and soups to season them and add a spicy kick. A pinch of freshly crushed peppercorns can take a basic dish a notch up in terms of the flavour and spice levels.

Black Pepper is perhaps one of the most universal spices and is found in most if not all kitchens around the world. It can play a crucial role in certain dishes and recipes, but can also be an easy way to fix unexpectedly bland food. Black pepper has a sharp flavour on the tongue but warms up our bodies. Make sure to sprinkle this excellent spice on your food and let it work its magic! Next time you feel like the flu is getting the best of you, take a little glance into your kitchen pantry and you might find a remedy sitting right there in front of you!