There’s a long list of reasons why pepper is called the king of spices. For starters, these dried berries are a staple in kitchens around the world and a must-have on most dinner tables. Incorporating the flavourful spice into food helps produce a rich earthy taste with subtle bites of spiciness that we all know and have come to love.
However, introducing pepper to your meals does more than tantalise the taste buds. It also promotes good health, radiant skin, and mental fitness. To help you understand how, here are five ways in which consuming pepper helps improve your health.
- Absorbs more nutrients
Combining pepper with wholesome food helps the body absorb more nutrients that are essential for overall repair and development. Some of these nutrients include calcium and selenium (an antioxidant), as well as valuable plant compounds that are found in green tea and turmeric.
- Fights inflammation
Studies based on laboratory tests have shown that the piperine compound found in black pepper can reduce swelling that’s caused by arthritis. Piperine is also known to combat body aches and pains, making it a natural painkiller.
- Offers antioxidant properties
The piperine compound found in pepper also has natural antioxidant properties. When consumed, this compound fights the cellular damage caused by free radicals in the body (unstable molecules). At the same time, its antioxidant goodness helps fight the signs of aging and the risk of cancer and heart disease.
- Improves brain health
The natural compounds, vitamins, and minerals found in pepper are believed to protect the brain against inflammation and cell degeneration that leads to Alzheimer’s. Besides this, piperine stimulates the brain to release more serotonin, the feel-good hormone, which leads to relaxation and happiness. And, less of melatonin, the hormone related to sleep/wake cycles, which causes drowsiness.
- Keeps food fresh
Another benefit of cooking with pepper is its antimicrobial compounds that prevent food from spoiling. When combined with salt to cure meats, it helps bring out pronounced flavors but also ensures that the meat remains moist and succulent.
If you’re interested in incorporating a healthy amount of pepper into your diet, the Artisan Deli by Bennet & Bernard Gastronomy has just what you need. We offer a premium range of cold-cuts that are curated by our in-house team of professionals. They are experienced in the Charcuterie (prepared meat) cuisine and trained to deliver high-quality. Our cold meats are gluten-free, do not contain added MSG or hormones, and are compliant with the guidelines set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) at every stage of production. Moreover, our meats are seasoned to perfection with a healthy dose of pepper so you can relish the benefits of good health and the taste of flavourful meat!
To learn more about our quality cold-cuts, head to our homepage. If you have questions about our curated products, feel free to get in touch with us by clicking here.