Kali Mirch - Health Benefits, Uses & Side Effects

Kali Mirch, also known as black pepper has so many hidden benefits and only a few of us are aware of its health benefits.

It is scientifically known as Piper nigrum. Apart from being a wonderful spice, it adds flavour to our health too.

Sprinkling Kali Mirch in your food does a lot more than just seasoning it. It has so many nutrients and health-benefiting properties that you may have never even thought of before.

Read this article until the very end to fight out ways you can use it to improve your overall health.

Health benefiting properties of Kali Mirch:

For starters, Black Pepper or Kali Mirch contain carbohydrates (energy-giving), protein, healthy fats and dietary fibre. Kali Mirch is rich in vitamins such as choline, folic acid, niacin, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Vitamin K. It has sodium and potassium. 

Also, it contains minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc.

Its phytonutrients include Carotene-ß, Cryptoxanthin-ß, Lutein-zeaxanthin, and Lycopene.

Health Benefits & Uses of Kali Mirch:

• Anti-cancer

Black pepper is extremely rich in vitamins that work as antioxidants to prevent cancer.

Studies explain how Kali Mirch is exceptionally good for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. Bowel cancer, skin cancer and colon cancer can also be prevented by regular consumption of Kali Mirch. 

It has flavonoids, Vitamin C and A that protect our bodies from the harmful spread of toxins and inflammation that can cause many dangerous diseases such as cancer.

• Aids in Digestion

Whether you make lemon water or drink Masala tea, adding a pinch of black pepper or Kali Mirch can improve your digestive abilities and help you digest foods faster.

Kali Mirch is famous to help in the digestion of difficult proteins like cottage cheese and meats, hence, you should add half a spoon or at least a pinch of it.

It helps your stomach produce hydrochloric acid that prevents constipation, gastritis, diarrhoea, IBS and acidity.

• Aids in Weight Loss

Consuming Black Pepper can help in the absorption of several nutrients from the food you consume.

Studies explain that the phytonutrients in Kali Mirch promote metabolic enzymes to break down fats faster and nourish your body with various nutrients.

Although it doesn’t directly burn fat, it helps in the process of burning fat and hence should be added to lime juice or any detox drink in the morning.

• Treats Gastritis

Kali Mirch has carminative properties that can relieve you from gas almost instantly.

Traditional usage of Kali Mirch includes consuming it with a pinch of black salt and lemon juice to ease nausea, acidity and gas. It can reduce bloating too.

It prevents serotonin receptors from building up gas and helps in breaking down gas built up in your intestine.

• Good For Skin

Did you see how many nutrients this ingredient or spice contains? It has so many vitamins and phytonutrients that many health supplements have started using these days.

No matter how good it is, you should not apply it to your skin directly as it may cause a burning sensation for some people. Check if you’re allergic first.

Kali Mirch contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can prevent skin damage caused by bacteria or the sun. 

• Good For Hair & Scalp

Kali Mirch has a good amount of Vitamin C, A, and E that are important for hair growth and preventing scalp diseases. Kali Mirch can be used to treat dandruff by adding a pinch of it to olive oil.

You can massage this mixture onto your hair and leave it overnight. You may also mix Kali Mirch with curd and apply on your hair, rinse it with normal water.

Consuming Kali Mirch may also help grow your hair again by reducing the stress on hair follicles.

• Treats Cold, Cough & Congestion

Kali Mirch is always a better option than Laal Mirch as it has warming properties and clears congestion too.

When you have cold and cough, avoid adding red chilli powder as it may irritate your throat and cause coughing. Add Kali Mirch powder instead as it keeps you warm and protects you from cold and cough.

Drinking Black Pepper tea can open up congested airways and nasal airways.

• Treats Appetite

Some people suffer from anorexia, it is when a person loses his appetite and doesn’t eat anything at all.

Black Pepper awakens your taste buds and helps you feel hungry again. However, this is only because it clears up your digestive disorders.  

It doesn’t make you gain weight. Sometimes, people may eat too much, but that’s not because of black pepper at all.

• Absorbs Curcumin

You might have heard how important Curcumin from Turmeric is. It has so many antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and other beneficial properties.

But what is the use if our bodies cannot even absorb curcumin naturally?

To improve the bioavailability of curcumin and many such compounds that are otherwise hard to absorb can be absorbed by your body if you consume them with Kali Mirch.

• Adds Flavours 

This not only adds flavours to food items but also to your health. If you’re feeling low for any reason, have lime water with Kali Mirch and see the magic, it will instantly spice your life up.

It is comparatively easy to add and you get powdered or whole spice of Kali Mirch in the market.

Side-Effects of Kali Mirch:

Black Pepper or Kali Mirch is a safe spice when consumed in moderation every day.

However, if you add too much of it to your food or apply it directly on your skin without patch-testing, you’re likely to have side effects. 

• Pregnant women should consume very little of this spice as excessive consumption may cause abortion.

• Too much of Kali Mirch may increase bleeding disorders in some people.

• It may affect blood sugar levels in some diabetics.

• Stop taking black pepper at least two weeks before any surgery to avoid bleeding or diabetes.

Conclusion:

This tasty spice is becoming everyone’s favourite these days as it has too many health benefits.

It protects your heart, balances hormones, controls weight and sugar levels and so much more. Make sure you add it to your meals every day.