6 healthy reasons to sprinkle pepper on your food during winter

Winter is a season when we seek warm and cozy foods that not only delight our taste senses but also keep us healthy and resistant to the cold. While we commonly focus on adding components like honey, ginger, and turmeric to our diets during this season, one spice that is sometimes ignored is black pepper. Black pepper, also known as black gold in ancient times owing to its medicinal benefits and distinct flavor, is highly recommended in the winter to treat cold and cough-related disorders.

Let’s discuss the benefits of using black pepper in your winter diet:

Cleanses the intestines and stomach

Black pepper can aid in detoxification because it contains piperine, which is an excellent internal cleanser. Including this spice in your diet can improve your intestinal health. The spice promotes detoxifying enzymes and decrease DNA damage. Black pepper contains capsaicin, a chemical with anti-inflammatory qualities that can help relieve joint pain and stiffness.

Prevents constipation

Black pepper is a great spice for improving digestive health and avoiding constipation, which is another reason to eat it during the winter. Black pepper not only aids digestion by breaking down food, but it also helps to avoid gas and bloating.

Weight loss

According to Ginni Kalra, dietician, Aakash healthcare, New Delhi, “Black pepper can help you lose weight because it contains piperine, which prevents the production of new fat cells, thus assisting in the prevention of obesity. It can help you lose those winter pounds by inhibiting fat cell production and enhancing the absorption of other nutrients in our meals. This can lead to improved digestion and metabolism, resulting in weight loss.”

Prevent cancer risk

Black pepper can help prevent cancer. Piperine, a significant alkaloid ingredient of black pepper, shows antitumor properties in a number of malignancies. Black pepper has high levels of antioxidants, including flavonoids, carotenoids, and vitamin C. These antioxidants not only strengthen our immune system, but they also have anti-aging qualities and can help prevent chronic diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s.

Boosts Immunity

According to Swatee Sandhan, Senior Dietician, Jupiter Hospital, Baner, Pune, “Black pepper contains vitamin C, which is needed for a healthy immune system. Black pepper also possesses antimicrobial qualities, which can help fight infections and strengthen your immune system.”

Dark chocolate’s ally

Dark chocolate is brimming with antioxidants and nature’s goodness on its own. However, when paired with black pepper, dark chocolate helps to lower bad cholesterol, improve cardiovascular health, and protect against heart disease.