What is Black Pepper?
Black pepper is one of the most commonly used spices in the world. It has been labeled the 'king of spices' and its origin dates back centuries. One of the earliest spices discovered, it has been used in ancient Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years because of its high concentration of powerful plant compounds. The spice is made by taking the dried berries from the vine of the peppercorn plant and grinding them down.
Benefits of Black Pepper
Black pepper has been shown to increase the absorption of essential nutrients like calcium and selenium and plant compounds found in green tea and turmeric. The spice contains an active compound, piperine, that has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Black pepper has also been shown to:
- Reduce inflammation
- Promote gut health
- Protect against cell damage
- Boost the immune system
- Improve heart health