Nutrition Benefits Of Pepper

Pepper is one of the most commonly used spices, frequently enjoyed by people living all across the world. This spice is available in many different forms, some of which include cayenne pepper, green pepper, red pepper, yellow pepper and ground black pepper (derived from peppercorns). Just a pinch of black pepper powder can add a punch and flavor to just about any dish. Green, yellow and red peppers are frequently used in salads, bakes, pastas and gravies, for their unique taste as well as their vibrant colors.

However, there are several health benefits that are also associated with this spice, that people are not really aware of.

In fact, in the ancient times, people used pepper to cure several different ailments, which is why it was traded like gold. Therefore, it may be a good idea for you to increase your intake of pepper for more reasons than just its taste, flavor and color. Also see health benefits of long pepper

One of the important pepper nutritional benefits that you should bear in mind is that this spice is low in saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol. Moreover, it is a good source of:

Copper
Dietary fiber
Folate
Magnesium
Manganese
Niacin
Potassium
Thiamin
Vitamin A
Vitamin B6
Vitamin C
Vitamin K

However, those who are diabetic, or are suffering from any other medical condition should check with their doctors, before using certain varieties of pepper. This mainly applies to green peppers, as they contain a fairly high amount of sugar.

Pepper can benefit your health in several different ways, right from curing minor ailments, to fighting off dangerous diseases. Given below are some of the most important pepper health benefits:

Preventing breast cancer: A chemical compound present in pepper, known as peperine can stop a breast cancer tumor from developing further.
Taming a cold: Pepper is usually regarded as a natural decongestant, as it breaks the accumulation of mucus in the nasal passages. A few pinches of pepper in a bowl of hot soup can clear out your nasal passages in minutes, enabling you to breathe easier.
Improving digestion: This spice has the ability to enhance the functions of your digestive tract, thereby reducing problems like flatulence and bloating.
Increasing hair growth: Many hair care experts advise people to prevent hair loss, by having cayenne pepper on a regular basis. A substance known as capsaicin that is present in cayenne pepper expedites the hair growth process, by stimulating the hair follicles. Detailed information on nutritional benefits of cayenne pepper

Pepper also contains a high amount of antioxidants, which prevents the growth of harmful bacterial in the body. Applied externally, in the form of a scrub, pepper can also benefit your skin significantly. Therefore, it may be a good idea to make this spice a regular part of your daily diet, after consulting a doctor.

Nutrition From Pepper

Adding some pepper to your daily diet may be one of the most economical ways in which you can improve your overall health and well being. However, most people are not even aware of pepper nutrition information and add this spice to their foods mainly because they like its taste. Those who prefer bland food may also eliminate this spice from their diets completely. Fortunately, there are several different types of pepper and not all of them are very hot. For example, green peppers are relatively mild and are also often referred to, as sweet peppers, but on the other hand, red peppers tend to make the food a bit spicy.

Nutrients in Pepper

Those patients who suffer from any type of heart problems or high blood pressure are usually advised to increase their intake of peppers. Weight watchers too, often enhance the taste and nutritional value of their food by adding pepper to it. This is because most pepper varieties are low in fat, calories, sodium and cholesterol. Some of the other nutrients that are present in pepper include Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Manganese, Magnesium, Niacin, Potassium, Iron and Riboflavin. Pepper is also a good source of dietary fiber.

Do bear in mind that pepper nutritional facts differ from one variety to the other which is why, it is important for you to get the right nutritional information on each variety, before you decide to add this spice to your regular diet.

Hair Problems:

Alopecia, or hair loss, is one of the most common health problems affecting people of all ages, living across the globe. Though there are many commercial products available in the market that claim to protect hair loss and balding problems, most of them do not yield the desired results. In fact, most people are now using natural and home remedies to prevent hair loss, as they are quite effective and have fewer side effects. Many hair care experts advise people to use cayenne pepper for hair growth purposes.

You can take either capsules or powdered cayenne pepper for hair loss prevention. The capsules are not as widely recommended as the natural form, as your tummy does not get the chance to prepare for the cayenne after the capsule disintegrates. If you are taking powdered pepper for baldness or hair loss, add about ¼ to ½ a teaspoon to any warm liquid, like tea, soup or even tomato juice.

Not everyone can tolerate the taste of cayenne pepper, without breaking out into a sweat. Fortunately, you do not necessarily have to consume pepper to increase the growth of hair. Instead, prepare a paste using two teaspoons of cayenne pepper and an equal amount of coconut or olive oil. Massage this paste directly on to your scalp for around 10 minutes or so, concentrating more on the areas of thinning hair. After that, you need to leave the paste on for around 20 to 30 minutes, as long as there is no irritation. Wash your scalp off carefully, making sure that the pepper does not go into your eyes.

Digestive Problems:

Digestion:

People suffering from an upset stomach or other digestive problems are usually advised to restrict their intake of spices. However, black pepper is an exception to that, as it can actually help improve digestion. This is because black pepper stimulates your taste buds, which increases the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the tummy. This acid makes it easier for your body to process the food you eat. Thus pepper for digestion is a very good remedy.

Constipation:

Constipation is a very common digestive problem that affects people of all ages. There are different ways in which people deal with constipation, which can range from medication to natural remedies. To avoid the side effects associated with medicines, enemas and laxatives, most people prefer using home remedies like cayenne pepper for constipation. This herb stimulates the peristalsis action within the digestive system and the colon. Moreover, cayenne pepper helps the mucus and the enzymes to soften the stools. This not only eases the bowel movements, but also gets rid of excessive flatulence.

However, many people have been known to experience stomach pain after eating cayenne pepper, especially if they suffer from food allergies or intolerances. Those who have stomach ulcers are also advised to stay away from pepper. Therefore, before you add any type of pepper to your daily diet, or decide to use pepper for stomach ulcers or pepper for stomach pain, do check with your doctor.

Sore Throat:

Cayenne pepper happens to be one of the most widely recommended home remedies for a sore throat caused by a viral infection. It contains a substance known as capsaicin, which has anti-viral properties. You could either gargle with a solution made from cayenne pepper, or drink a warm liquid, to which it has been added. Given below are a few recipes using cayenne pepper for sore throat:

Tea:

Ingredients:

1 Teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 Cup of water
½ Lemon
Honey to taste

Method:

Boil the water for a few minutes and pour it into a mug or a cup. Add the cayenne pepper, freshly squeezed lemon juice and honey to it. Allow the solution to cool for a couple of minutes, but drink it while it is still warm.

Soup:

Ingredients:

1 Teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 Can tomato soup
2 Cloves of garlic, minced finely
A dash of lemon (optional)
Water, for a thin consistency

Method:

Heat the tomato soup in a saucepan and add some water to make it thin.
Add the cayenne pepper, garlic and lemon, stirring the mixture for a few minutes.
Pour the soup into a mug and sip it, while it is hot.

Alternately, you could also relieve a sore throat, by gargling with a solution made from a glass of water, 4 to 5 shakes of ground cayenne pepper and a dash of lemon. However, do bear in mind that cayenne pepper can cause a burning sensation around the lips and tongue.

Asthma:

Asthma, a chronic respiratory disease, occurs when there is a narrowing in the trachea, which causes breathing difficulties. This ailment is usually characterized by shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, chest congestion and choked lungs. Fortunately, some of the symptoms of asthma can be relieved with the help of cayenne pepper or bell peppers.

It is believed that you may see a drastic reduction in the symptoms of asthma by having 2 to 4 ripe cayenne peppers each day. Alternately, you can add half a teaspoon of dried cayenne pepper to your food. In case you prefer bell pepper, make a puree of a red or green bell pepper and add a pinch of salt to it. Eat this puree each day, for a month.

Unfortunately, there are a few side effects that you may experience after consuming pepper, like heartburn and a tummy ache. Therefore, before you use pepper for asthma symptoms, it is important that you check with a doctor.

Submitted on January 16, 2014