Forget focusing on whether or not to add salt to your food, it seems that researchers may have found a link between black pepper and fat cells.
‘Piperine’ gives black pepper its characteristic taste and it’s this substance that a new study suggests could be used in “potential treatments for obesity-related diseases”.
The research, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, found that piperine blocks the formation of new fat cells, according to UPI.com.
Using laboratory studies and computer models, the researchers found piperine interferes with the activity of genes that control the generation of fat cells.
In their latest paper, researchers Soo-Jong Um and Ji-Cheon Jeong also point towards former studies that have indicated the health benefits of piperine, including its role in reducing fat levels in the bloodstream, reports Medical News Today.
Black pepper and the black pepper plant, the paper's authors underline, have been used for centuries in traditional Eastern medicine to treat gastrointestinal distress, pain, inflammation and other disorders.
Natural Weight Loss Aids
Natural Weight Loss Aids(01 of09)
Open Image Modal (credit:Alamy)
Green Tea(02 of09)
Open Image ModalGreen tea is rich in the antioxidant called catechin which help speed up metabolism and burn fat quicker. It also contributes towards lowering LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). (credit:Alamy)
Pineapple(03 of09)
Open Image ModalPinapples contain high levels of an enzyme called bromelain that aids digestion and prevents inflammation and swelling in the gut, which can lead to constipation and weight gain. (credit:Alamy)
Green Coffee Beans (04 of09)
Open Image ModalWater (05 of09)
Open Image ModalAlthough drinking water alone won't shift the pounds, drinking a glass of it before you eat will make you eat less and suppress your appetite. It also keep you hydrated throughout the day and will keep hunger pangs at bay, because hunger is mostly driven by dehydration. (credit:Alamy)
Eggs (06 of09)
Open Image ModalHaving an egg for breakfast keeps you feeling fuller for longer as it acts like a bulking agent in the stomach. It also staves off hunger pangs because the protein prevents the blood sugar level spikes, which lead to food cravings. (credit:Alamy)
Grapefruit (07 of09)
Open Image ModalEating half a grapefruit before each meal or drinking grapefruit juice three times a day helps aid weight loss. The fruit's phytochemicals reduce insulin levels, a process that forces the body to convert calories into energy rather than fat. (credit:Alamy)
Beans(08 of09)
Open Image ModalBeans and pulses contain cholecystokinin, a natural appetite suppressant as they stay in the stomach longer. They also help keep blood sugar on an even keel, so you can stave off hunger longer. (credit:Alamy)
Cinnamon (09 of09)
Open Image ModalA little bit of cinnamon a day can help control post-meal insulin spikes, which make you feel peckish. A recent study by U.S.Department of Agriculture showed that just a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon a day lowered the blood sugar and cholesterol levels. (credit:Alamy)