25 Benefits of White Pepper
Both white pepper and black pepper are flowers of the same shrub and differ from each other in terms of taste, color, aroma, processing technique, and benefits.
They are native to South India, and are known by various names such as “safed mirch” in Hindi, ‘Tella miriyalu’ in Telugu, ‘Velai melaku’ in Tamil, ‘Bili menasu’ in Kannada,’ Safed Mari’ in Gujarat, and ‘Paandri Miri’ in Marathi.
White pepper provides many health and beauty benefits due to the abundance of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, polyphenols, and dietary fibers, etc.
Health Benefits of white pepper
Some major health benefits of white pepper are as follows.
(1) Provides Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
Inflammation is our body’s way of treating wounds and injuries. However, when inflammation gets out of control, it can prove fatal.
Vitamin C, capsaicin, and other anti-inflammatory compounds in white pepper provide relief from pain and inflammation caused by inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, rheumatoid, gouts, asthma, and bronchial asthma.
(2) Natural pain-relieving agent
Capsaicin in white pepper produces heat in the body. It acts as a natural pain-relieving agent that repairs damaged body tissues and provides relief from muscular pain caused by injury.
Because of its pain-relieving property, capsaicin is often added to pain-relieving gels and sprays.
(3) Prevents Cancer
White pepper is an abundant source of antioxidants and antioxidant compounds such as phytonutrients and polyphenols.
These compounds protect our cells from free radical damage and reduce the risk of many cancers such as colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, abdominal cancer, breast cancer, intestinal cancer, and lung cancer, etc.
Free radicals are unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from the neighboring molecules, and doing so causes oxidative damage to them.
As per research conducted by the University of Nottingham and the American Association of Cancer Research, capsaicin in white pepper kills off cancer cells and protects against prostate cancer.
[irp]
(4) Promotes Weight Loss
Capsaicin in white pepper accelerates the rate at which our body burns fat cells, and thus helps with weight loss. Because of its fat-burning abilities, white pepper is often added to weight loss medicines and solutions.
Dietary fibers in white pepper provide stomach satiety and control overeating, a major cause of obesity.
(5) Strengthens Immune System
White pepper strengthens our immune system, the defense mechanism of the body that prevents and treats microbial infections, diseases, injuries, and wounds.
White pepper is an abundant source of antioxidants and relevant antioxidant compounds such as capsaicin that protects our immune cells or white blood cells from free radical damage.
This strengthens our immunity and reduces the risk of cough, cold, fever, and flu.
Because of its antimicrobial properties, white pepper protects us from bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
(6) Cures Headache
Capsaicin in white pepper provides quick relief from headaches.
Headache occurs when neuropeptide, substance P transmits pain signals to the brain.
Capsaicin in white pepper blocks the transmission of these pain signals and relieves headaches.
[irp]
(7) Natural Decongestant
Capsaicin in white pepper generates heat in the body and works as a natural decongestant. It cleans the air duct of the nasal tract, treats nasal infections, and helps in proper breathing.
(8) Cures Cough
White pepper strengthens our immune system and reduces the risk of cough and cold.
Also, the antimicrobial and heat-generating properties of white pepper help in curing the same.
Taking powdered white pepper with raw honey provide quick relief from cough and sore throat because of the antibiotic properties of honey and heat-generating properties of white pepper.
(9) Regulates Blood Pressure
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a common health condition that affects millions around the world and is a leading cause of cardiovascular and other health problems.
White pepper contains potassium, a vital mineral that relaxes blood vessels, improves blood circulation, and provides relief from hypertension or high blood pressure.
Vitamin C, vitamin A, and flavonoids, etc in white pepper also play a significant role in regulating blood pressure.
White pepper is not a regular food but a spice and should be consumed accordingly.
White pepper may interfere with blood pressure medication, and if you are already taking blood pressure medication, consult your doctor before adding white pepper to your meals.
(10) Prevents Stomach Ulcers
The antibacterial properties of white pepper eliminate ulcer-causing bacteria from the stomach and intestines and prevent stomach ailments such as stomach ulcers and stomach aches.
[irp]
(11) Provides Antioxidantal Benefits
White pepper is loaded with powerful antioxidants such as capsaicin and other relevant compounds such as phytonutrients, etc.
These compounds protect our cells from free radical damage and reduce the risk of several cancers such as colon cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, intestinal cancer, and prostate cancer, etc.
Antioxidants also provide many other benefits such as strengthening the immune system, improving neurological health, improving digestive health, managing cholesterol levels, and so on.
Antioxidants protect our vital organs like the liver, kidneys, and heart, etc from free radical damage, and helps in maintaining optimal health.
(12) Cholesterol Management
Capsaicin in white pepper lowers blood cholesterol levels and blocks the gene responsible for causing artery contraction. It prevents blockage of blood flow in the arteries.
Dietary fibers and antioxidants in white pepper reduce LDL cholesterol and minimize the risk of atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is a condition that hardens and narrows our arteries due to the accumulation of plaque and fat deposits in arterial walls.
It is a leading cause of cardiovascular problems like heart attack, heart stroke, and coronary artery disease.
(13) Promotes Cardiovascular Health
White pepper promotes cardiovascular health and is good for our heart health.
Antioxidants and other relevant compounds in white pepper protect our cardiovascular system from free radical damage.
Potassium in white pepper regulates blood pressure and provides relief from hypertension, a leading cause of cardiovascular problems.
White pepper reduces LDL cholesterol and minimizes the risk of atherosclerosis, a common cause of cardiovascular problems.
Excessive fluids in the body, especially around the heart can put stress on our heart and affect its functionality negatively
It causes water retention in the body, puts pressure on the lungs, and causes breathing difficulties.
The heat-generating properties of capsaicin in white pepper make us sweat, and remove excess fluid from the body.
(14) Regulate Blood Sugar
With a low glycemic index of 32, white pepper reduces the rate at which sugar is released into the bloodstream.
This prevents a sudden spike in blood sugar levels and helps in managing diabetes.
Dietary fibers in white pepper slow down the absorption of sugar by the bloodstream and keep blood sugar under control.
White pepper boosts our metabolism by stimulating the secretion of digestive juices in the stomach. It improves digestion and keeps blood sugar levels under control.
To regulate blood sugar, regularly drink a glass of milk mixed with powdered white pepper, powdered fenugreek seeds, and turmeric powder.
All these ingredients are known for their anti-diabetic properties.
Avoid this drink if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
Also, excessive consumption should be avoided as it may drop our sugar below the healthy range and cause excessive hunger, excessive sweating, pale skin, shakiness, anxiety, blurred vision, and irritability, etc.
If you take diabetic medication, consult your doctor before trying this remedy to ensure there is no risk of a drug interaction.
(15) Improves Digestive Health And Prevent Flatulence
White pepper is good for the stomach and improves digestive health.
Capsaicin and other antioxidant compounds like flavonoids, etc in white pepper protects our digestive system from free radical damage.
It reduces the risk of various cancers such as colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, abdominal cancer, and intestinal cancer, etc.
The laxative properties of dietary fibers in white pepper improve bowel movement and provide relief from constipation and other digestive problems like abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and flatulence, etc.
Because of its carminative properties, white pepper stimulates our taste buds and signals our stomach to secrete hydrochloric acid ( to help with digestion).
This improves digestion and prevents the build-up of gas in the intestines.
The buildup of gas in the intestines may cause pain and discomfort, and is also a sign of underlying digestive problems like constipation, food tolerance such as lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, or eating disorder.
Nutrients like zinc, copper, magnesium, and manganese, etc. also play a major role in improving our digestive health.
(16) Cures Toothache
White pepper benefits our oral health because of its antimicrobial properties. It relieves toothache as it contains pain-relieving agents.
To improve oral health, take a small amount of powdered white pepper in your palm and mix some clove oil or table salt to it to form a paste.
Gently massage it on your teeth and gum for some time, and wash off with room temperature water.
The antimicrobial properties of white pepper and clove oil inhibit the growth of bacterias in our mouth and provide relief from ulcers, sores, chronic bad breath, loose teeth, and gum inflammation.
Both clove oil and white pepper and have a strong and spicy taste. Avoid this remedy, if you are not comfortable with the taste or if you have any kind of allergy to the ingredient.
Discontinue the use if you experience any discomfort, irritation, or allergic reaction with the use of the remedy.
Consult your dentist for a detailed diagnosis and treatment as this remedy is not a replacement for the dentist.
(17) Good For Eyes
White pepper is good for the eyes and maintains our ocular health.
Antioxidants such as capsaicin and other relevant compounds like phytonutrients, etc in white pepper protect our eyes from free radical damage.
It reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and glaucoma, etc.
The antioxidants in white pepper also protect our eyes from the free radical damage caused by the UV rays of the sun.
White pepper contains vitamin A, an essential nutrient for the eyes as it protects our eyes from damage, prevents eye dryness, and reduces the risk of night blindness.
Other nutrients like zinc, vitamin B complex, and iron, etc. also play a significant role in keeping our eyes healthy.
A simple remedy to reduce the risk of cataracts is to mix white pepper and almonds in a 1:5 ratio and adding some brown sugar and ghee to it. Mix them thoroughly and consume them regularly.
The mixture is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, healthy fats, and other compounds necessary for keeping our eyes healthy, and for reducing the risk of cataract development.
Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and other compounds in white pepper improve eye health and reduces cataract risk.
Beauty Benefits of White Pepper For Skin
Some major beauty benefits of white pepper for skin are as follows.
(1) Prevents Skin Cancer
Prolonged exposure to the UV rays of the sun may damage our skin and cause wrinkles, leathery skin, liver spots, actinic keratosis, and liver elastosis.
White pepper has an abundance of antioxidants and other relevant compounds.
These compounds protect our cells from free radical damage caused by the harmful UV rays of the sun.
It reduces the risk of some forms of skin cancer.
(2) Keeps Premature Aging At Bay
Vitamins, minerals, and other essential compounds in white pepper provide nourishment to our skin and maintain skin health.
Antioxidants and other relevant compounds in white pepper protect our skin from free radical damage and reduce fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, skin blemishes, and other signs of premature aging.
Vitamin C enhances the production of collagen, an amino acid that maintains skin elasticity and prevents saggy skin and wrinkles.
Other nutrients such as zinc, iron, copper, vitamin B complex, etc. in white pepper also helps to maintain skin health.
(3) Natural Skin Exfoliator
White pepper is a wonderful skin exfoliator that removes dead skin cells from the skin.
Removal of dead skin improves skin radiance and provides many other benefits such as unclogging skin pores, reduced risk of acne, deeper penetration of skincare products, improve blood circulation, and stimulates collagen synthesis.
Using freshly crushed white pepper as a scrub exfoliate skin and removes dead skin cells and impurities from skin pores.
It increases skin smoothness and radiance.
Antioxidants in white pepper protect skin from free radical damage and boost blood circulation in the skin.
(4) May Cures Vitiligo
Piperine in white pepper helps in preventing and curing the early stages of vitiligo, a skin condition in which skin starts losing pigmentation at various places, and white patches start developing in those areas.
It is a safe and effective method for treating vitiligo and doesn’t involve the use of harmful chemicals.
(5) Prevents Acne
Acne affects millions around the world and is a common skin condition mainly caused by the accumulation of toxins, pollutants, and other impurities in our skin pores.
Detoxifying compounds such as dietary fibers in white pepper remove toxins, pollutants, and other impurities from our skin pores.
When there are fewer toxins, they are less likely to accumulate in our skin pores and reduces the risk of skin problems like acne and pimples.
Dietary fibers prevent acne from worsening by regulating the secretion of excess oil from the sebaceous gland of the skin.
(6) Removal of Unwanted Hair From Skin
White pepper helps in removing unwanted hair from the skin.
To remove unwanted hair, do as follows.
- Mix some powdered white pepper, powdered camphor, and almond oil to form a paste.
- Do a patch test to ensure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients, and it suits your skin type.
- If it suits you and you are not allergic to it, apply the paste on your hand and legs while avoiding tender parts such as underarms.
- Let the mixture dry for 15 minutes, and wash off with water.
Beauty Benefits of White Pepper For Hair
Some major beauty benefits of white pepper for hair are as follows.
(1) Natural Hair Revitalizer
White pepper works in combination with lemon seeds to revitalize our hair and nourish our hair follicles and scalp.
They make our hair strong and lustrous.
To revitalize hair, follow the given steps.
- Mix some powdered white pepper and powdered lemon seeds and add water to form a mixture.
- Massage your scalp with the mixture, and let it dry for 10-15 minutes.
- Wash off with water.
(2) Effective Against Dandruff
Dandruff is a common scalp problem that affects millions around the world.
Poor scalp health is one of the many causes of dandruff.
Although many products in the market claim to combat dandruff, they mostly fail, are expensive, and are loaded with harmful chemicals.
White pepper helps in treating dandruff in a simple, economical, and toxin-free way.
Antioxidants and relevant compounds in white pepper protect our hair and scalp from free radical damage and improve scalp health.
Zinc, manganese, and vitamin B complex, etc in white pepper also plays an important role in improving scalp health.
To treat dandruff, do as follows.
Mix some powdered white pepper with curd and apply to the scalp.
Let it dry for 20-30 minutes, and wash off with water.
Don’t apply it on the scalp for too long as the healing properties of white pepper may cause a burning sensation in the scalp.
Difference Between Black And White Peppers
Both black pepper and white pepper are obtained from the pepper vine shrub and differ in their processing methods.
Black pepper is originally green as it is the unripe fruit of the pepper vine. It is removed from the vine, and then cooked and dried to give it a black and shriveled crust.
While white pepper is the ripe fruit of the pepper vine. It is soaked in water for 15-20 days, after which its skin begins to fall off, and the inner white seed of the fruit comes out. It is then dried and used either as a whole or as powder.
Both black pepper and white pepper offer a tangy and spicy flavor and are used to give a unique taste to the dishes. Black pepper is spicier than white pepper and has a citrusy taste with an earthy flavor. In contrast, white pepper has a sharp taste with a pungent aroma.
Both black pepper and white pepper provide many health and beauty benefits due to the abundance of essential nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, zinc, iron, magnesium, potassium, and other compounds such as phytonutrients, polyphenols, and dietary fibers, etc.
Both black pepper and white pepper differ from each other in the following ways.
(1) Difference In Aroma
Black pepper has a pungent aroma than white pepper.
(2) Difference In Processing
Although both black pepper and white pepper are the flowering plants of pepper vine shrub, they are processed differently.
Black peppercorns are plucked from the pepper vine when they are almost ripe.
They turn black and wrinkly when their moisture is removed by sun-drying.
But, white pepper is plucked from pepper vine once are they are completely ripe on the tree itself. Their outer layer softens and is removed by soaking them in water for 10-15 days.
The inner white layer of the seed that comes out is then sun-dried to be used as a whole or in powdered form.
(3) For The Sake Of Aestheticism
White pepper is a preferred choice to give an aesthetic touch to white sauces, soups, mashed potatoes, and other light-colored dishes.
Similarly, black pepper is preferred for dishes that involve dark colors as it blends well in comparison to white pepper.
(4) Difference In Hotness
Both white pepper and black pepper generates heat, but white pepper offers instant hot flavor, and black pepper release hotness slowly on chewing.
Depending on your taste preference and tolerance level, you may find one pepper to be spicier than the other, but they are equally spicy.
(5) Preference In Different Cuisines
Despite having the same origin, black pepper, and white pepper are preferred over each other depending on the cuisines.
Black pepper is preferred in many international and intercontinental cuisines, and white pepper is a preferred choice for many Chinese, Thai, and French cuisines.
(6) Amount Of Essential Oils
For the same weight, black pepper has more essential oil in comparison to white pepper.
(7) Medicinal Properties
White pepper has more medicinal benefits than black pepper.
It is widely used in ancient Ayurvedic and Chinese therapies for preventing and treating malaria, constipation, nasal congestion, arthritis, food poisoning, joint pain, and cholera, etc.
(8) Difference In Odor
Black pepper has a strong and woody flavor as the outer layer of the pepper remains intact during the processing.
But, white pepper loses its outer layer ( and the scents that give it a floral and woody odor) during processing.
White pepper has a mushy odor that develops during fermentation.
(9) Different Shelf Life
Black pepper has a longer shelf life than white pepper.
Black pepper keeps its aromatic flavor for long, but white pepper can’t be stored for long.
It rots easily and develops a bitter taste.
(10) Extent of Allergy
Both white pepper and black pepper showed different levels of intensity to the allergic people.
If you are allergic to pepper as a whole, you are more likely to react adversely to black pepper than white pepper.
This is because white pepper is just the seed of the pepper as the outer layer is removed.
But with black pepper, the outer layer is intact.
The Composition of black pepper is intense and may cause a severe allergic reaction.
Disclaimer
This article provides general information about the topic and is not be taken as medical advice or as an alternative to medical advice, treatment, and/or diagnosis. Always consult with your doctor before trying out any of the remedies/recipes suggested in the blog post.
P.S- Consider sharing this post, if you find it useful and/or interesting.
