Black Pepper and it’s Benefits

Black pepper is a vine in the family of Piperaceae, cultivated for it’s fruits then use it as spice after dried up. Black pepper is native to the Malabar Coast of India and the plant is widely cultivated throughout Indonesia, tropical areas of Africa. Black pepper became an important trade commodity for India and it used to be treaded around the world especially in Europe and it is one of the most traded spice/commodity globally. Vietnam was the largest producer and exporter of black pepper followed by Brazil, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, China, Malaysia.   Black pepper have been used since ancient time as spice and traditional medicine. Proof of the usage of black pepper had been found in ancient Greece and Rome.
The plant is a perennial woody vine growing up to 12-13 ft, required support to climb up, partial shade, high temperature and rainy season. The fruit (known as peppercorn) is a drupe (a fruit contains single seed), about 5mm (0.2 inch) in diameter. The test of the fruit is pungent, hot and aromatic. It contains piperine, Piperidine, piperettine, chavicine. The plant can live as long as 40 years.
Black pepper is rich source of vitamin K, manganese and it also contains vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin B, calcium and potassium. 
Black pepper is a rich source of Antioxidant. It helps to fight free radicals created insight of our body by pollutions, smoking, indigestion etc which can damage our body cells.
Black pepper may improve blood sugar level. A study conducted on rat showed that, after feeding black pepper extract there was a change of blood sugar level compared after consuming glucose.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and high high blood cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease. A study conducted on rat shows that, after feeding black pepper extract cholesterol level in blood decreased including LDL. So black pepper may reduce cholesterol level.
Black pepper may helps to digest food. Piperine found in the black pepper helps to generate Hydrochloric acid or HCL in stomach which helps to digest proteins.
Black pepper may treat cough and cold. In Ayurveda black pepper is a very essential component for curing those problems. It helps to remove mucus from the respiratory system.