One of the simplest ingredients in your kitchen could have a big impact on your body.

It’s inexpensive, versatile, and simple. In fact, you likely already use it on a daily basis.

And this year, I recommend using it even more.

What is it?

The Master Spice: Black Peppercorns.

This spice is an amazing food.

It supplies flavor and a lot of nutrition.

To get yours, try our easy slow cooker recipe, and receive 7 Proven Benefits of Peppercorn.

Keto Zone Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup organic coconut oil, softened
• 2 teaspoons lemon pepper (look for simple ingredients like lemon zest, pepper, and salt)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• juice from 1 lemon
• 2 clove garlic, minced
• 1 (2 to 3 pound) whole chicken, giblets removed
• 1 lemon, sliced to 1/2-inch thick slices
• 1/4 cup whole peppercorns

Instructions:

1. Rinse chicken, pat dry with paper towels. Loosen the skin over the breast and thighs with fingers.
2. Combine first 5 ingredients. Spread seasoned butter over entire chicken and beneath the loosened skin using a teaspoon or fingers.
3. Place chicken into a slow cooker. Place lemon slices on chicken. Place peppercorns on chicken and into the slow cooker.
4. Cook on High for 4 hours or Low for 6-8 (cook until chicken is very tender and an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh, not touching bone, reads at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C)).
5. Serve chicken pieces with sauce and a few whole (cooked & softened) peppercorns. Serves 6.

Nutrition Information: 257 calories, 13 gm fat, 2 net carbs, 37 gm protein

7 Proven Benefits of Peppercorn

In every black peppercorn, there lies within a compound called piperine, potent antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory components. When you eat a black peppercorn, you get:

1. Reduced Sensation of Pain, Arthritis and Joint Inflammation

Piperine is a strong anti-arthritis nutrient.

In fact, study after study has shown reduced pain, increased healing, and decreased pathology in arthritic animals and humans (1).

What’s more, piperine increases the absorption of another pain-fighting food, turmeric, by up to 10x. It does this by stimulating “transporters” in our intestines that are responsible for absorbing nutrients.

2. Protection in Arteries against LDL Oxidation and Plaque Formation

LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) required oxidation before it can form harmful plaques and blockages. High antioxidant foods reduce oxidation. And, black peppercorns are one such food.

In fact, black peppers have an ORAC score (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) of 34,053 μ mol TE/100g…above chili powder, raspberries, walnuts, and blueberries.

3. Healthy Digestion

Black pepper stimulates the release of hydrochloric acid in our stomachs, which promotes timely and healthy digestion.

Without adequate amounts, or with high acid levels at the wrong times, many folks suffer from food setting in their stomachs too long, heartburn, and indigestion.

4. Reduced Bloating and Fluid Retention

This is a great advantage after any situation that causes your body to retain fluid. These include:

• Sickness
• Kidney or liver impairment
• Overconsumption of salty and/or sugary foods
• Hot weather
• Injury
• Walking, standing, or working on feet

How? Similar to the nutrients in celery, black pepper’s antioxidants work as a gentle diuretic that reduces extra water held in our intestines.

5. Improved Metabolism

Like other peppers, black peppercorns cause our bodies to burn slightly more calories as a mechanism for controlling the “heat” in them. It’s only a small shift, but it can add up. In addition, spicy foods work to help you control portions.

In studies, eating spicy foods leads to less consumption overall.

6. Fight Against Cancer Cells and Reduced Overall Risk

Most peppercorns vs. cancer studies have been lab studies, either on animals or in Petri dishes.

However, they have shown promising results.

What’s more, a 2017 study from Thailand revealed that two phytochemicals in peppercorn had potent anti-cancer effects on three types of cancer cells (2).

Additionally, another 2017 study showed that piperine suppressed cancer stem cell renewal and stopped cancer cells from growing, invading and spreading (3).

 7. Better Heart Health

Piperine provides many heart-healthy benefits.

In lab studies, these include reduced fibrosis pathology, reduced LDL cholesterol, and cardiovascular cell protection from oxidative stress (4).

 Whole Foods Are Best

Remember, whole foods are almost always better. With black pepper, it’s best to buy the whole peppercorns and eat them whole when cooked or grind them just before eating or cooking with them. Powdered and pre-ground pepper has often lost many of its benefits, and the taste just doesn’t compare.

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for more ways to improve your health in 2019, look no further than the simple black peppercorn. It enhances most any food, so grind it onto sandwiches, salads, dinners, and smoothies. It’s not called The Master Spice for nothing.