Black pepper is perhaps best known as a way to add flavour to our food but it has many other qualities that may not be known quite so well. Many of Spice of Life’s products include black pepper as it works as an activator for other spices.

Known as King of Spices, pepper aids the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. In doing so it augments the digestive process which in turn reduces the production of gas. Minimising the amount of gas in your body can dramatically reduce heartburn and other gastric problems. Related to this effect on the digestive system is pepper’s diuretic property.

Black Pepper And Its Components

Piperine, one of the components of pepper, is known to aid in the absorption of many nutrients found in food – B vitamins and selenium, for example.

A number of beneficial minerals are also found in black pepper. Potassium, for example, helps the body control blood pressure and heart rate; iron, which is also found in pepper, assists in the production of blood cells.

Like many spices, pepper is an antioxidant. It prevents the development of free radicals which can potentially cause damage to your body’s cells.

Interesting fact: Different coloured peppers actually all come from the same plant. They are simply picked at different stages of development.