7 Amazing Health Benefits of Black Pepper You Should Know

7 Amazing Health Benefits of Black Pepper

Greetings, curious minds! You’ve landed on Info Brainy!

Are you excited about our new amazing plant adventure and ready to discover its incredible benefits for your body?

If so, join me and let us unlock the amazing benefits of black pepper for our bodies.

Black pepper is known as a flavoring spice in cooking.

However, some of its benefits for our bodies are still unknown to us.

So, let’s dive in!

Disclaimer: Information on medicinal plants is for educational purposes only and not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before use.

7 Amazing Health Benefits of Black Pepper

1. Black pepper contains antioxidant properties

Piperine, a bioactive compound found in black pepper, is believed to be responsible for its antioxidant properties.

Our bodies produce unstable molecules known as free radicals that may harm and damage our cells.

Because of this, we need an antioxidant that may help our bodies protect against cell damage.

According to the National Library of Medicine, black pepper possesses this antioxidant property, which is found in piperine, the primary bioactive ingredient in black pepper.

Nevertheless, based on the same research, the study was primarily conducted on animals as models and needs to confirm if the results are the same in human models.

Thus, further research is necessary to fully understand the effect of black pepper as an antioxidant on human bodies.

2. It possesses antimicrobial properties

Another benefit of black pepper is that it possesses antimicrobial properties, which are made possible due to its primary compound, piperine, among other beneficial phytochemicals.

Antimicrobial properties function to kill microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites.

Several studies published by the National Library of Medicine suggest that black pepper contains antimicrobial properties that help fight microorganisms, such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Proteus sp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

For instance, a study published by the National Library of Medicine found that black pepper chloroform extract (BPCE) has the ability to fight bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Another study also shows that black pepper essential oil (BPEO) can fight Escherichia coli, a type of bacteria.

Moreover, a published article by the Scholars Research Library also found that black pepper methanol and chloroform extracts have the potential to kill bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, and Proteus sp..

Lastly, a study dated 2024 July by the National Library of Medicine also found that the methanolic extract of black pepper seeds (MBPE) has the potential to kill bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

These studies clearly suggest that black pepper possesses antimicrobial properties that may help kill several types of microorganisms.

3. It also has anti-cancer properties

The presence of piperine, the bioactive compound found in black pepper, becomes the primary source of its anti-cancer properties.

Research published by the National Library of Medicine suggests that black pepper has anti-cancer potential due to its piperine.

Based on the study, the methanolic extract of black pepper (BP-M) and pure piperine (PIP) show their anti-cancer efficacy against human leukemia. They found that both showed an impressive cytotoxic effect against the human leukemia cell line, K-562 cells.

Moreover, in another research published by the National Library of Medicine, the piperine found in black pepper shows strong evidence of its anti-cancer properties. This was based on clinical trials involving human cell lines, where it shows that piperine, the phytochemical found in black pepper, contains anti-cancer properties.

Also, it mentioned antimetastatic, which means that black pepper may stop cancer cells from spreading to other parts of the body.

4. Black pepper contains neuroprotective properties

Another amazing health benefit of black pepper is that it contains neuroprotective properties.

According to a review article published by the National Library of Medicine, a result suggests that consumption of black pepper and black pepper-enriched products shows efficacy against nerve cell injury, impairment, or degeneration.

In the same article, the bioactive compounds in black pepper, such as piperine, show promising results in preventing age-related neurological disorders (ANDs) and pathological conditions by promoting cell survival and inhibiting cell death.

5. Black pepper may improve blood sugar levels

Many experts believe that piperine, found in black pepper, may improve blood sugar levels for diabetes patients.

Based on research published by the National Library of Medicine, a study strongly suggests that the bioactive compound in black pepper, piperine, may help improve blood sugar levels.

This study was based on in vitro and in vivo studies, where results show a significant effect of black pepper in lowering blood sugar levels.

For instance, in the in vitro study, out of 24 spice extracts, only black pepper and white pepper show promising results because of the presence of piperine, which is responsible for improving blood sugar levels.

However, in the in vivo study, the result was based on Wistar rats, where it decreased their postprandial hyperglycemia.

6. It contains anti-obesity properties

Black pepper contains piperonal and piperine compounds, which make for its anti-obesity properties.

Researchers believe that bioactive compounds found in black pepper may help reduce weight gain.

Based on research published by the National Library of Medicine, the active compounds in black pepper, such as piperonal and piperine, have shown efficacy in reducing weight gain.

7. May possesses cardioprotective properties

One of the leading causes of death is cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, etc.

Because of this, many experts do a lot of research on piperine, a bioactive compound found in black pepper, and have discovered that it possesses cardioprotective properties.

An article published by ScienceDirect suggests that piperine contains cardioprotective properties that may help us prevent or treat cardiovascular diseases, such as cardiac injury, hypertension, and cardiac fibrosis.

So, What Does This All Mean About Black Pepper?

Black pepper is not tagged as “King of Spices” for no reason.

Hence, the gathered data shows that black pepper has a wide range of health benefits that may help and protect us from cell damage, cancer, microorganisms, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases.

However, further research and clinical trials on humans are needed to fully understand the health benefits of black pepper on human bodies

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