How to Leverage the Health Benefits of Households Spices

Turmeric and Black Pepper

Turmeric (also known as Curcuma Longa or Gurkemeie) and black pepper is said to increase the body’s natural testosterone production, and in India it is used by many to increase male fertility (typically taken daily by the male when a couple is trying to get pregnant), as well as many other benefits.

Turmeric is one of the major ingredients in the Indian curries, and also known as “Indian saffron” because of its orange-yellow color. It is derived from the root of the plant and has a brown upper covering and orange colored flesh. Turmeric is generally habituated in tropical regions of India like Tamilnadu because it requires 20-30° C temperature range for growth and an ample amount of rainfall.

Approximately 5% of turmeric is composed of an active compound called curcumin, and about 5% of black pepper (by weight) is comprised of piperine. Curcumin is responsible for the yellow color of turmeric, and piperine for the pungent flavor of pepper. Piperine is a potent inhibitor of drug metabolism. One of the ways our liver gets rid of foreign substances is making them water soluble so they can be more easily excreted. However, Piperine inhibits that process, which thereby aids absorption of turmeric in the body by as much as 2000%.

However, turmeric itself has not yet been officially declared as a therapeutic agent. The main reason to this is the relative low bio-availability of turmeric. The reason behind the low availability of any agent within the body is its low indwelling activity, inactivity of metabolic compound or its rapid removal from the body. However, this challenge is as mentioned, in part, overcome by adding black pepper.

Serving

The recommended serving is a flat tablespoon of turmeric with a pinch of black pepper mixed into lukewarm water. The taste is quite awful (due to its inherit bitterness), but considering the effects, it is definitely worth giving it a try.

Benefits

Turmeric has been used for quite a long time for medicinal purposes. The nutritive quality of turmeric is due to its constituents, such as manganese, iron, vitamin B6, fiber, copper, potassium, etc. Thus, the nutritional value of turmeric is quite high. Turmeric is being used for the treatment of inflammatory and bowel diseases, such as tendinitis, liver cirrhosis, Alzheimer’s disease and many other digestive and blood related problems. It also has other significant properties like anti-bacterial, liver and kidney protective nature, blood clot suppressing property and also helps in the prevention of heart attack and hypoglycemia. A study showed that turmeric taken with ginger may improve male reproduction function, including sperm motility and increased testosterone levels, although further research is needed to validate the findings.

Below is a short list of its key health benefits.

• Reduce pain: black pepper is known to trigger a receptor known as TRPV1 in the body. This is a pain trigger that, when reduced, automatically reduces pain throughout the body. This can be great benefit if you suffer from joint aches (from arthritis, etc.) or you have an injury, ache or even sore spot. Some research have shown that curcumin may decrease muscle soreness, enhance performance and recovery in those that are active.
  
• Decrease inflammation: turmeric is one of the best anti-inflammatories. It can improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, endometriosis and more. It also offers a much safer option than steroidal drugs, as it has no long-term side effects. The recommended dose is 500 mg of curcumoids per day to help decrease inflammation.
  
  The study “Efficacy of Turmeric Extracts and Curcumin for Alleviating the Symptoms of Joint Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials” found that the randomized clinical trials examined provided scientific evidence that supports the efficacy of turmeric extract (about 1000 mg/day of curcumin) in the treatment of arthritis.
  
• Improve cholesterol: Black pepper and turmeric is known to help lower cholesterol levels as well as triglycerides, both of which can lead to cardiovascular disease, heart attack or stroke.
  
• Stave off depression: both black pepper and turmeric are known to have anti-depressant properties. When consumed, they actually raise the levels of serotonin and dopamine in your brain, hormones that affect your mood and happiness. They also inhibit monoamine oxidase, an enzyme often linked to depression.
  
• Prevent cancer: research has shown that the pepper and turmeric combination can reduce the growth of cancer cells – particularly breast cancer cells. They also cause no toxicity and could prove to be a vital part of future cancer treatments. According to the American Cancer Society, intake of curcumin is associated with decreased cancer growth and shrinkage of tumors in lab animals.
  
• Improve memory: due to the high antioxidants in both turmeric and black pepper, the combination can improve your memory skills. It can also help with Alzheimer’s or other degenerative diseases, by preventing memory loss and further degeneration.
  
• Lead to weight loss: The piperine in the black pepper, is a thermogenic compound that can increase your metabolism and improve the rate at which you burn calories. Some research even shows that pepper can trigger more feelings of fullness.