Black Pepper for Brain Health + Our Favorite Whisks
Did you know that black pepper is the world’s most traded spice… and that it also has potential brain health benefits? Learn more and try our recipes!
Happy Friday! Today, we are taking a look at Black Pepper for our Food As Medicine Series… specifically, why black pepper is beneficial for brain health. Learn more about black pepper and try the black pepper recipes - plus check out our weekly picks which include our three favorite cooking whisks!
And in honor of National BBQ Day, which is tomorrow, we are serving up three BBQ recipes today:
Tofu BBQ Sandwiches - free for all!
Easy BBQ Bowls - VIP only
New: Turmeric & Black Pepper BBQ Veggie Skewers - VIP only
If you missed it, this week we covered a range of topics:
On Monday, we shared our favorite berries and seasonal foods (with lots of recipes!)
Tuesday Diana gave insight into foods to help milk production
And we talked about preservatives on Wednesday’s “In The News”
If you know of anyone interested in today’s topic - or what we covered this week - share this post!
Every Friday, we share a quick roundup of products we actually use and love. These tools and staples can make cooking, serving, and clean-up easier and more enjoyable. As an Amazon Affiliate, Weil Nutrition Corner™ may earn on qualifying purchases from Amazon and elsewhere. We only recommend products we trust.
A good whisk is a must-have tool in the kitchen, and surprisingly, not all whisks are the same! Below are three types of whisks we have and use.
Balloon Whisk: The most common, round, wide-bottomed whisk perfect for aerating egg whites, whipping cream, and mixing dry ingredients.
French Whisk: Narrower and longer than a balloon whisk with stiffer wires, ideal for stirring sauces, creams, and reaching into corners of pots.
Mini Whisk: A small-scale balloon whisk suitable for quick tasks like making salad dressing or whisking a single egg.
Food as Medicine: Why Black Pepper May Be Good for the Brain
Black pepper is the most popular and traded spice in the world… In this latest Food As Medicine Series, we are taking a look at black pepper: its origins, types, health benefits and more. Enjoy!
Black, green and white peppercorns all come from the black pepper plant (Piper nigrum), native to Asia. Black pepper is the whole, partially ripened fruit; green is the unripe fruit; and white is the peeled seed. Black pepper is a proven antibacterial agent, and its compounds help protect DNA integrity as well, making it a potential weapon against cancer. Black pepper may support brain health, largely due to its key active compound, piperine.
Why Is Black Pepper Good For Brain Health?
It contains piperine (a bioactive compound). Piperine has been studied for its potential neuroprotective effects. It may help protect brain cells from oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which are linked to cognitive decline.
It enhances nutrient absorption. One of black pepper’s most important roles is helping the body absorb other beneficial compounds more effectively. For example black pepper significantly boosts absorption of curcumin (from turmeric), a well-known anti-inflammatory compound, and it may also enhance uptake of certain vitamins and antioxidants. This indirect effect can support overall brain health by improving the body’s ability to use key nutrients.
It may support memory and mood. Some early studies suggest that piperine may support memory, cognitive function, and even mood regulation, though more research in humans is needed.
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What About Green or White Pepper?
WEIL Nutrition Corner™ VIPs have access to this Food As Medicine post as well as our entire library of In The News, Recipes, Guide, Challenges and more! Below: the difference between various peppers, how to get more pepper into your diet (including four recipes), and our new recipe. Upgrade to VIP to unlock it all!
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