5 Proven Health Benefits Of Having Turmeric And Black Pepper Together

Turmeric is one of the most common ingredient in the Indian cuisine as most dishes are prepared with it. Apart from imparting exceptional flavour and colour to the dish, these two ingredients have amazing properties that can prove to be very good for health and immunity. While curcumin in turmeric has antioxidant, antiseptic, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, black pepper has properties that improve digestion, boosts metabolism, regulates nerve signals and controls obesity. Speaking of turmeric and black pepper together, curcumin in turmeric cannot be used properly by our body because of its poor bioavailability. The component's metabolism is pretty quick in the liver and intestinal walls. Only a small fraction of curcumin enters out blood stream. This is where black pepper plays an important role. Black pepper is known to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties just like turmeric. Piperine is an important and extremely healthy bioactive component which is present in both white and black pepper.

Also read: 5 Ways How Turmeric Could Fight Cancer

How black pepper allows our bodies to use turmeric?

Studies have found that piperine in black pepper improves bioactivity of curcumin in humans. It also improves its concentration in the serum. The best part is that there are no side effects of consuming turmeric and black pepper together.

RELATED STORIES

Banana With Milk: This And Other 2 Food Combinations You Must Avoid For Healthy Digestion

In an Instagram video, nutritionist Nmami Agarwal shared three food combinations that you should avoid.

10 Ways In Which Adding Hummus To Your Diet Will Boost Your Health

Here we discuss the many benefits of adding hummus to your diet.

The two ingredients can be used together in various ways. It all depends on how well you tweak them in the dish that you are preparing. The combination can make for a nice soothing warm beverage like tea as well.

Health benefits of turmeric and black pepper:

1. Relieves pain

Anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric have made a superb ingredient that can speed up body's healing process, fight infections and relieve pain. Conditions such as arthritis can also be dealt with by consuming turmeric. Adding black pepper will further intensify the process of relieving pain. Piperine makes the cellular receptors more active and speeds up the anti-reaction process in the body. Chronic and nerve-related pains can also be treated by using turmeric and black pepper together.
Combination of turmeric and black pepper together helps in reducing pain and inflammation

Also read: Use Turmeric To Improve Your Memory And Mood

2. Reduces inflammation

For years, Ayurveda has recommended turmeric and black pepper for treating inflammation. As mentioned above, both the ingredients have anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric has often been used to treat, and even prevent arthritis.

3. Manages diabetes

Diabetes is a condition which can cause a possible damage to blood vessels. Researchers say that curcumin and piperine reduces the oxidative stress that damages blood vessels in the first stage.

Combination of turmeric and black pepper together can help in managing with diabetes

4. Controls obesity

Yes! People on weight loss expedition can use black pepper and turmeric to enhance their process of burning fat and losing weight. Having a mixture of turmeric, black pepper and ginger in warm water early in the morning gives a nice boost to metabolism.

This is possible because curcumin interacts with body's pancreatic, fat, liver and immune system cells. It also takes care of activities such as immune resistance and inflammation.  Similarly, black pepper and ginger have a beneficial effect on insulin resistance and fat storage. It reduces both insulin resistance and inflammation. When combined together, the two work wonders for burning excess fat.  

Besides piperine, other things which improve bioavailability of curcumin include fat (because it is fat soluble), quercetin (a flavonoid present in citrus fruits like lemon, ginger and even apple Cider Vinegar) and heating.

Turmeric and black pepper together can help in controlling diabetes

Also read: Is Turmeric More Effective Than Popular Painkillers? Our Expert Explains

5. Prevents cancer

It is said that the combination of turmeric and black pepper can prevent risks of cancer. Curcumin plays the role of killing cancerous cells. There have been studies which illustrate the promising nature of turmeric's effect on breast cancer cells, gastric and colon cancer cells and also leukemia cells. Indians consume turmeric on a daily basis. This is probably why the incidence of cancer is low in India as compared to the western countries.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.