Native to South Asia, the pepper vine has been used in Indian cooking since at least 2000 B. C. We usually think of black pepper as a flavor enhancer and not a revolutionary super-food. But it actually has lots of medicinal properties and health benefits that are worth mentioning. For instance, black pepper contains moderate amounts of vitamin K, iron and manganese, with trace amounts of other essential nutrients, protein, and dietary fiber. This spice is also an antioxidant haven. In fact, various studies show that increased antioxidant consumption has a positive effect on certain health conditions as it may reduce the risk of certain cancers as well as heart disease.