I have to be honest, I never really put much thought into it…but this is really kind of cool. I came across this video the other day about how to make the most of the ridges on the bottom of your salt and pepper shakers. Have you ever tried to get a lot of pepper out at one time just by shaking? It can drive you nuts, you shake and shake, and only a little comes out.
Check out this super cool pepper shaker hack
I don’t know about you, but I am going to use this hack the next time I want to expedite my peppering!!!
Why you should eat more pepper
Black pepper is a simple culinary staple that everyone has in their pantry. But what many people don’t know is that this spice has a number of surprising health benefits thanks to its key bioactive compound piperine.
Included in these are its ability to improve digestion, fight congestion, expedite weight loss and exfoliate skin. Research even backs up the use of black pepper as a therapeutic agent. Here are my favorite health benefits explored in more detail:
Black pepper is good for your gut: Using pepper liberally on your food can help boost digestion and improve metabolism efficiency. A number of studies support the ability of black pepper to promote healthy digestion. One study published in the Journal of Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition found that the key ingredient in black pepper, piperine stimulates the digestive enzymes in the pancreas and reduces gastrointestinal food transit time. Another study found that pepper and piperine have a positive impact on gastrointestinal motility disorders.
Takeaway: Peppering up your food can alert your stomach that it is time to produce hydrochloric acid and more efficiently digest your food. Not only this but eating more pepper also improves the number and quality of healthy gut bacteria.
Black pepper can protect your brain: Research confirms that piperine exhibits strong protective effects on the human brain. A 2010 study published in the Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology found that piperine supplementation had a significant positive impact on memory impairment and neurodegeneration in the hippocampus. Another study found that piperine exhibited similar characteristics to mainstream brain-boosting drugs, making it a possible natural alternative to commonly used pharmaceuticals.
Takeaway: Using more pepper could help you remember better and help mitigate symptoms of ADD, Alzheimer’s disease, and amnesia…naturally
Black pepper helps improve nutrient availability
Studies show that when you eat black pepper with certain foods, it can help you absorb the vitamins and nutrients in these foods better. A good example is pairing black pepper with turmeric. When they are consumed together, they provide powerful anti-inflammatory and cancer-fighting benefits. In fact, combining pepper with turmeric increases the absorption of turmeric’s key ingredient, curcumin, by up to 2000%.
Takeaway: Combining plenty of black pepper with other healthy foods and spices will help you get the most nutrient value from the food.
Other valuable benefits of black pepper
- Black pepper can combat headaches
- Black pepper helps reduce inflammation
- Black pepper can help clear up blocked sinuses
- Black pepper reduces insulin resistance
- Black pepper helps relieve nausea
- Black pepper exfoliates the skin and promotes blood flow
- Black pepper has powerful antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and can help keep infections at bay
Black pepper is rich in vitamins and minerals
As simple as it may seem, black pepper is rich in a number of vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, C, and K. Black pepper also contains:
- Thiamin
- Riboflavin
- Folic acid
- Pyridoxine
- Choline
- Iron
- Copper
- Calcium
- Manganese
- Phosphorus
- Zinc
All black pepper is not created equal
Keep in mind that the higher quality pepper you use, the more benefits you will get. Some lower-priced ground pepper products can contain toxins and molds. To get the most from your pepper, choose a high-end product, preferably whole peppercorns and use a grinder.
-The Alternative Daily