Black Pepper - Effective Not Only For Colds

Black pepper is among the most used spices in Bulgarian cuisine. Since ancient times, it is highly valued for its specific taste (due to the substance piperine) and its use as a preservative. There are several varieties of the spice. There are black and white pepper. The second is prepared from ripe fruits, while the second from more dried fruits of the plant of the Pepper family. The white spice differs from the black one in taste - it is not so spicy.

Black pepper has many health benefits, some of which we do not even suspect. Therefore, we should use it more often in seasoning dishes at home, and why not as a medicinal ingredient in a mixture. 

According to a study by scientists at the University of Kentucky, black pepper helps burn body fat. It contains the substance piperine, which not only makes us sneeze and cough, but also has the ability to break down fat cells and thus contribute to the fight against weight loss. It also prevents the formation of new ones. 

Another useful property of pepper is that it prevents the aging of the brain. This is evidenced by the results of a study published in 2012 in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. According to them, the spice successfully helps prevent Alzheimer's disease. The researchers studied the effect of a supplement containing black pepper on dogs. It wasn't long before the animals' memory improved. 

It is cold and snowy outside, and black pepper can be used as a remedy to warm up and fight colds. It relieves cough and reduces the formation of mucus in the nose. According to traditional Chinese medicine, tea from the spice with honey relieves the symptoms of mild viruses and colds. In our country, older people mix honey with black pepper and consume the mixture for sore throats and colds. 

Black pepper, or especially the essential oil of the plant, can help smokers reduce or quit smoking. A 2013 study showed that participants' need for cigarettes decreased after inhaling black pepper. The spice resembles the burning sensation in the throat that results from smoking cigarettes.

Consumption of black pepper is also useful for relieving muscle pain. Also, lubricating parts of the body with peppermint essential oil can reduce pain. This is due to the warming properties of piperine, which improves blood circulation. 

The spice also plays an important role in our digestive system. Instead of taking pills to improve the secretion of stomach acid, we can eat black pepper more often. This will prevent bloating and gas in the abdomen. 

If we cut ourselves and have nothing to stop the bleeding, we can sprinkle the wound with black pepper. It has antibacterial properties that will help the blood clot faster. Of course, we cannot count on black pepper to help with deep wounds.
 
The food we eat should not only be healthy, but also enjoy us. The organic compound piperine, which is found in black pepper, has been shown to help the body retain more serotonin, which is thought to be a calming neurotransmitter. This convinces us once again that we should not underestimate the properties of black pepper and use it more often.