Posts Tagged ‘Potassium’

What are different health benefits of whole peppercorns ?

Peppercorns, scientifically known as Piper nigrum, is a very popular seasoning used throughout the world. It is indispensable from our kitchen and the dinning table. Since ancient times, pepper has been used to add that extra bit of taste to food not just because of its taste but also because of it innumerable health benefits.

Peppercorn is rich in proteins and minerals like calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc. Pepper is also rich in Vitamin A, B, C, E and K. Pepper also contains some amount of fats and dietary fiber. All of these components of pepper make it invaluable for maintaining good health. Some of the important reasons why pepper is a must in our diets are discussed below.

Anti inflammatory
Peppercorns have been used since ages as anti inflammatory agent. One of the commonly known health benefit of whole peppercorns is that it helps in reducing pains and is a popular medication given to cure throat infection and cough. Due to its strong and spicy taste it helps immensely in treating colds and flu.

Digestion
The presence of pepper in the food allows easy digestion and absorption of nutrients. It has been observed that pepper increases the absorption of selenium and Vitamin B and Vitamin A from food, these are essential nutrients required by the body. Moreover, easy absorption of food allows easy motility in the gastro intestinal tract. Pepper is also know for its carminative property and helps in avoiding gas or flatulence.

Cardiovascular heath
Pepper is rich in potassium, one of the various minerals found in pepper. Potassium is an essential mineral required by the body to maintain the fluid levels. Potassium helps in maintaining blood pressure and also helps in controlling the heart rate.

Blood
Pepper is also a rich source of iron which is an important mineral required to maintain hemoglobin level in blood. Deficiency of iron may lead to anemia causing breathlessness and weakness. Hemoglobin is that part of the blood which carries oxygen to different parts in the body.

Antioxidant
Pepper is a rich source of Manganese. Manganese is an essential cofactor required by the enzyme superoxide dimutase which helps in removing free radicals. Apart from manganese, peppercorns are also rich source of vitamin A and C which are again active antioxidants which in getting rid of the harmful free radicals from the body which may otherwise lead to the formation of cancer cells in the body.

Anti microbial
The pepper corns are popularly used for their antimicrobial properties. They are anti bacterial in nature which helps in getting rid of any bacterial infection in the body .Pepper also helps in removing intestinal parasites. Due to the anti inflammatory and antiseptic nature of pepper corns it is also used in dental treatment for tooth decay and gum swellings or ulcers.

Sinusitis
Pepper corns are also used in the relieving sinusitis. Peppercorns help by drying the mucus membranes and stopping the further build up of mucus thus reliving of blocked sinuses.

There are various other heath benefits of whole peppercorns which through the ages have helped in keeping health disorders at bay. Although research is being conducted to understand it further, many health claims are baser on clinical experiences rather than scientific data.

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What are different health benefits of including clove in your daily diet?

Scientifically known as Eugenia aromatica, Clove is the dried bud of a flower of an evergreen tree. It grows mainly in the warmer climates. Cloves are known for their flavor, aroma and medicinal value probably one of the reasons why it finds a place in innumerable cuisines.
Clove oil is one of the most common form that is used apart from the dried buds that are popularly used as a spice. Cloves are rich in their nutritional value. The most important constituents being manganese, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and vitamin A, it also contains vitamin C and K. Apart from these, cloves are also known to have dietary fibers. Because of such a rich content of vitamins and minerals there are many health benefits of cloves. Some of the benefits are discussed below.

Antimicrobial
Clove oil has a chemical compound called Eugenol. This chemical compound is found to be anti fungal and anti bacterial in nature. Apart from the cost effectiveness, being a natural fungicide it does not have the usual side effects that are common with synthetic drugs or fungicides.

Anesthetic
Cloves have been used since ages as a household remedy for toothache. Eugenol and beta caryophyllene are two major components of clove oil, these two components are known for their analgesic property because of which it is popularly used in dentistry as a local anesthetic.
Eugenol is known not only for its anesthetic property but it is also known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties because of which it is popularly used the drugs and dental fillings.

Oral health
The anti bacterial property of clove helps in maintaining oral health. It can be taken directly or diluted in water and gargled to remove bad breath or treat sore gums or mouth ulcers.

Diabetes
Recent studies have also indicated that a daily intake of cloves can actually increase the insulin activity by almost 3 times thus maintaining blood sugar levels. Making cloves a part of the daily diet can help in delaying the onset of diabetes.

Aphrodisiac
Cloves have been used since ages as an aphrodisiac. It is now proven through research that cloves do indeed enhance the sexual behavior in males. Research shows that cloves can be used for the treatment of premature ejaculation as well.

Mosquito repellent
Clove oil can be used as a mosquito repellent. Being very strong, clove oil if used on the skin should be used in dilution as it may lead to burning sensation. As a mosquito repellant it stays active for about 4 to 5 hours.

Respiratory health
Cloves have been found to possess the potential to prevent lung cancer. Further research is being conducted to support this discovery. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties and cooling effect clove is popularly used in the treatment of coughs and cold. Gargling or chewing clove can help ease sore throat. Clove is also used in other respiratory disorders like bronchitis, tuberculosis, asthma and sinusitis.

Blood circulation
Another health benefit of clove is that it helps in increasing blood circulation, which allows proper flow of nutrients and oxygen which, in turn, helps in the increase of body metabolism. Eugenol the extract from clove oil is also found to inhibit clotting of blood which helps in maintaining cardiovascular health.

This spice though originally used by the Indians and the Chinese has spread throughout the world because of the pleasant aroma and flavor that it can impart to the food. It not only finds a place in many cuisines of the world but because of all the health benefits of clove it is now one of the most valued spices.