Health Benefits of Black Pepper

One of the most widely used spices across the globe, black pepper is no stranger to adding its trademark kick to palates and cuisines across the culinary world. However, the spice isn’t just useful in the kitchen; black pepper also offers much in the way of valuable medicinal properties. Black pepper has long been used in conventional medicine to treat flu, fever, muscle pain and rheumatism, due to its array of active phytochemicals. (Source) That pungent flavor of black pepper, or Piper nigrum, is attributed to its chief active chemical, piperine, an alkaloid also responsible for antioxidant activity, improved digestion, liver protection and anti-cancer activity. (Source) While black pepper is very well-known as a culinary essential, its numerous health benefits are certainly nothing to sneeze at.

Black Pepper for Mental Health

Alleviating effects of mental health distress may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of black pepper, but the spice has actually been found to have positive effects on stress and other mental health issues. One study found piperine, the chief component in black pepper, to reduce effects of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and to produce antidepressant-like effects in rats. (Source) Another study found piperine, alongside circumin, to have neuroprotective effects against depression by mitigating neuroinflammatory pathways. (Source)

Black Pepper for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Black pepper, due to its high piperine content, has been shown to exhibit many anti-inflammatory effects, and has been found to have positive implications for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a condition associated with chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. One study found piperine to significantly reduce inflammatory markers in the guts of mice, showing the potential of the compound in preventing or reducing colonic inflammation in IBD. (Source)

Black Pepper for Arthritis

Piperine from black pepper has also been found to have beneficial implications for inflammation that causes arthritis. One study found piperine to inhibit osteoarthritis-causing inflammation (Source). Another study found piperine to produce anti-arthritive, anti-inflammatory effects in rats, suggesting the potential of piperine and black pepper in the treatment of arthritis. (Source)

Black Pepper for Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Much research has found remarkable anti-cancer potential in piperine, black pepper’s key alkaloid compound. One study found piperine to inhibit the proliferation of human bone cancer cells by causing cell cycle arrest in phases crucial to proliferation. (Source) In another study, the effects of piperine on the growth of breast cancer cells were examined. It was found that the piperine prevented growth of the cancer cells in mice while inhibiting cell migration and motility. (Source) One study was the first of its kind to find piperine to prevent the growth of colon cancer cell lines. In the study, piperine inhibited the growth of several colon cancer cell lines by causing cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. (Source)

Black Pepper for Smoking Cessation

Black pepper essential oil can have positive implications for those looking to quit smoking, as has been found in research. In one study, 48 cigarette smokers were divided into three groups and were given a device with black pepper vapor, a menthol cartridge or an empty cartridge. The participants who inhaled the black pepper vapor reported significantly less cigarette cravings than the other two conditions. Additionally, addition, anxiety symptoms were alleviated in the pepper group compared to the placebo group. (Source)

Black Pepper for Obesity

Black pepper has also been studied for its role in weight loss and obesity. One study investigated the effects of black pepper and piperine on fat cell formation, and found piperine to attenuate fat cell differentiation. (Source)

NUTRITIONAL PROFILE

Black pepper, 1 Tbsp (6.9g), ground

Calories: 17
Total Fat: 0g
Total Carbohydrate: 4.4g
Dietary Fiber: 1.7g
Protein: .7g
Calcium: 3% Daily Value
Iron: 3%
Magnesium: 3%