Black Pepper

Black pepper, rich in antioxidants, effectively controls blood pressure and heart rate with its high level of potassium. Pepper is also high in iron which is essential in the production of healthy blood cells. Peppercorns contain vitamin A and vitamin C and are also rich in other antioxidants such as carotenes which work to help the body fight cancers and other diseases.

Piperine, a phytochemical, increases metabolism which effectively increases the calories that the body can burn helping with weight loss. This phytochemical also increases the body’s ability to absorb other nutrients such as vitamin B and beta-carotene.

Quitting an unhealthy cigarette habit is possible with the help of black pepper. Studies have shown that the use of cigarette replacement products that emit a vapor containing black pepper effectively reduces cravings and assist the user in being able to quit smoking.

Pain Reliever

Black pepper contains piperine, a chemical similar to capsaicin found in hot chili peppers. Piperine helps to reduce pain, triggering transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1, TRPV1, receptors in your body, which respond to counteract pain, according to an article published in the October 2010 issue of "Molecular Pain." Piperine extracted from black pepper is combined with other emollients and natural ingredients into an analgesic cream that is applied to your skin at the site of pain.

Anti-Inflammatory

Curcumin is the yellow pigment in turmeric used for coloring and flavoring. Curcumin is also an effective anti-inflammatory used as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, RA, and as a complementary treatment for ulcerative colitis, UC, according to a review published in the December 2010 issue of "Surgical Neurology International." Turmeric powder is taken three times daily to help reduce swelling and inflammation around the joints. Turmeric extract is another alternative treatment for RA. A solution containing 94 percent of the three major curcuminoids was found effective at preventing arthritis when taken before the onset of joint inflammation, notes a study published in the March 2006 issue of "Journal of Natural Products."

Peptic Ulcer Benefits

Turmeric and black pepper may have beneficial effects on gastric mucosal damage, peptic ulcer, according to a review in the June 2010 issue of the "World Journal of Gastroenterology." Curcumin inhibits the growth of all strains of the H. pylori bacteria, which is associated with peptic ulcer disease. The protective effect of piperine in black pepper is linked to its antioxidative effects.

Both black pepper and turmeric have antioxidant constituents; however, when taken consistently in large doses, they can cause stomach upset and may induce stomach acid secretion.

Improved Memory Performance

Both black pepper and turmeric show benefits in helping to protect against cognitive impairment and may help improve memory in Alzheimer's disease. Male Wistar rats given piperine from black pepper over a two-week period showed a significant improvement in memory impairment, according to a study published in the March 2010 issue of "Food and Chemical Toxicology." Curcumin in turmeric may help reduce memory loss in Alzheimer's patients.

Treat angina pectoris, a heart problem with recurring chest pain or discomfort that happens when some part of the heart does not receive enough blood

 Prevents hardening of arteries by lowering cholesterol and inhibiting fat oxidation.

LIVER PROTECTOR

 Turmeric protects your liver from the damaging effects of alcohol, toxins and even some pharmaceutical drugs. It can regenerate damaged liver cells.

Curcuma longa together with another related herb, Curcuma aromatica stimulates the production of bile, a digestive juice needed in digestion of fat. The herbs are also involved in shrinking engorged hepatic ducts and improve gall bladder function.

 Herbalists used it to treat biliousness and conditions caused by excessive bile such as nausea, gas and heartburn as well as for flushing out gallstones. They also used the herb for liver conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis and jaundice.

Doses used in studies have were between 450 milligrams of curcumin capsules to 3 grams of turmeric root daily, divided into several doses and taken by mouth.

However, studies have also indicated that curcumin has a poor bioavailability (absorption) when consumed orally due to its rapid metabolism in the liver and intestinal wall.

This means that a low dose of curcumin (or turmeric for that matter) could have a greater effect in terms of health benefits when combined with piperine than a large dose of curcumin or turmeric would.

The average dietary intake of turmeric in the Indian population ranges between 2 to 2.5 grams. Pepper was the one of the first crops that was cultivated in India and is consumed together with turmeric.