A study from Sejong University in South Korea suggests that the pungent component in black pepper known as piperine, fights fat by blocking the formation of new fat cells. If further studies confirm these effects, black pepper may offer a natural alternative for the treatment of fat-related disorders.

"Our findings suggest that piperine, a major component of black pepper, inhibits fat cell differentiation ... thus leading to its potential use in the treatment of obesity-related diseases," Researcher Ui-Hyun Park of Sejong University in Seoul, Korea, wrote in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

The benefits of black pepper and the black pepper plant have been known for centuries in traditional Eastern medicine for poor circulation and gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhoea. I suggest not to  cook with black pepper as it may irritate your digestive system. Add it at the table to salads and cooked foods. 

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