Black pepper has been consumed for thousands of years, but it is only in the last decade that clinical studies have been done to discover its constituents and what health benefits they can give us. In Ayurvedic medicine black pepper has been used since time immemorial to treat a number of diseases, including prostate cancer. Ayurveda is based on the belief that the body has three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, and they all need to be in harmony. When we they are unbalanced we become ill and harmony need to be restored by the use of plants and other natural substances. For example, small amounts of black pepper and ginger are added to food to maintain prostate health. It is advised that only mild spices are added to food, such as fennel, cumin, coriander and fenugreek seeds, so that the body is not aggravated by a burning heat. The mixture of black pepper, long pepper (Piperi longum) and ginger is famous in Ayurveda for the treatment of prostate cancer. Modern clinical trials haveascertained that a combination of black pepper, which contains the alkaloid piperine and turmeric, which contains curcumin, can be especially beneficial when they are combined in the treatment of breast cancer. One study published on 11th May, 2010 in the journal “Breast and Cancer Research and Treatment,” stated “Natural chemicals found in the spices turmeric and black pepper appear to stop the growth of breast tumours.” These “Natural substances” are piperine and curcumin. A previous study in 2009 undertaken by the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Research and Treatment Center was also optimistic, stating that seasoning foods with turmeric and black pepper could play an important role in preventing and even perhaps in treating breast cancer. This was published in the online journal “Breast Cancer Research and Treatment.” This study was one of the first to explain how the combination of curcumin and piperine worked, by targeting stem cells which are those which can becomeany type of cell in an organ. This is of major importance as cancer stem cells are those which comprise the small number of cells inside a tumour that are responsible for the malignant growth. If these cancer stem cells can be eradicated or closed down permanently, the cancer should be controlled. The spice derivatives curb the self-regeneration of the cancer stem cells and up to now that is something that chemotherapy cannot do. In a further study published in 2009 it was suggested that piperine can help to increase our bodies’ absorption of nutrients and increase the ability of curcumin found in turmeric, to fight cancer, inflammation and infection. Black pepper alone can also help to reduce inflammation and as it contains vitamins C, A and E, along with minerals such as potassium, manganese and magnesium, among others, it has potent antioxidant activities even when used alone on food. Antioxidants fight the free-radicals in our bodies which attack healthy cells and which can causecancer. Black pepper enhances the flavour of food, and I for one love steak au poivre. Knowing that unless you eat an excessive amount of black pepper it can’t do you any harm is extremely good news, especially as it has potentially amazing health benefits. Flavouring your food with black pepper won’t harm you, and no one could eat the amounts of it that might be harmful, so get the grinder out and have some black pepper in and/ or on your next meal. The Author: If you enjoyed this article then perhaps you would like the information on this website. There are recipes as well as information about food and other plants which are beneficial for our health and about ones to avoid. We’re only a click away-find out what this site has to offer you. Article Source: Related posts: