Health Benefits of Black Pepper, Uses And Its Side Effects
Last Updated: Dec 15, 2022
Just a pinch of black pepper when added to any food preparation can enhance its flavor. It is a spice that is known to offer many health benefits. It helps to promote weight loss and even aids in digestion. It is believed that this amazing spice prevents cancer as black pepper detoxifies the body, cleanse the intestine and stomach.
Black pepper releases hydrochloric acid in stomach which helps in cleaning the intestines. It prevents constipation and helps to combat occurrence of common cold. Black pepper is used for combating skin exfoliation, skin deformation and helps to keep wrinkles at bay. It is used to combat dandruff, helps in restoring hair growth and makes the hair shiny.
Let check out health benefits of black pepper powder with milk, turmeric, honey and water. Also we discuss uses of black pepper in cooking and how this items used in different food recepies .
What is Black Pepper?
Black pepper is known as the “king of spice “and is widely used in cuisines globally. Black pepper, a flowering vine belongs to the Piperaceae family and its scientific name is Piper nigrum. It is cultivated for its fruit and is dried and used for cooking as spice and seasoning.
Black pepper after drying is consumed in the raw form. The fruit in the dried stage is known as a peppercorn. Black pepper is the dried unripe version, and green pepper is the unripe fruit that is not dried. Ripe fruit seeds are known as white pepper.
Black pepper is used extensively in different parts of the world. It is the largest spice that is traded globally. Black pepper is always seasoned with salt. Pepper is dried in sunlight and pepper oil, and pepper spirit is extracted from it. Black Pepper oil is used in making Ayurveda medicines.
Summary- Black pepper is a dried form of pepper. It is one of the most common spices used in common household kitchens.
Nutritional Value of Black Pepper
Let check out black pepper nutritional information, Black pepper is rich in potassium. Potassium helps in controlling the heart rate and is useful in regulating blood pressure. Black pepper is rich in iron and is useful in combating low blood pressure.
Black pepper is useful in the production of red blood cells, rich in manganese and is an antioxidant enzyme. It is rich in vitamin B such as riboflavin, thiamine, niacin and zinc too.
Black pepper is one of the rich sources of calcium, and hence, benefits old people. They can get a good amount of calcium for their bones. Black pepper is also rich in vitamin K .
Summary- Black pepper is enriched with rich nutritional values. It offers many health benefits too.Nutritional facts Per 100 grams in Black Pepper
Vitamins and Minerals in Black pepper
Health Benefits of Black Pepper
Black pepper - Powerful spice to combat cancer
Black pepper helps to prevent the occurrence of cancer. Black pepper is credited with piperline and this when combined with turmeric can help in preventing cancer.
Black pepper is also loaded with antioxidants, and presence of vitamins like Vitamin A, flavonoids and carotenes helps in combating cancer causing free radicals. People should consume black pepper in the raw form to prevent the occurrence of cancer.
Summary- The presence of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamin makes black pepper capable to combat cancer. It is often consumed with turmeric to serve this purpose.
Black pepper digestion benefits
Black pepper aids in digestion problem, and when a person consumes raw black pepper, hydrochloric acid is released by the stomach, and this helps in breaking down of proteins. The release of hydrochloric acid in black pepper also helps in cleaning the intestines and helps in combating gastrointestinal diseases.
Summary- Black pepper possesses many digestive benefits by regulating HCL secretion. It also supports the deep cleansing of digestive organs.
Black pepper Good for constipation
Stomach disorders such as constipation, colon cancer, diarrhoea and other bacterial diseases are prevented when black pepper is consumed daily.
Summary- Black pepper is good in healing constipation by soothing digestion and bowel movements.
Black pepper for respiratory system
Cold and cough can be cured by adding this spice to herbal tea and consumed two or three times a day. Having dishes prepared with black pepper are useful in winter and facilitate removal of phlegm from the body.
Black pepper with honey prevents chest congestion. One can add crushed black pepper to warm water along with eucalyptus oil drops and inhale the steam to get rid of chest congestion.
Summary- Regular consumption of black pepper helps to prevent common respiratory disorders. It can be taken alone or with something else too.
Black pepper oil skin benefits
Black pepper prevents a skin pigmentation disease called vitiligo. This condition makes the skin turn white. There are many chemical rich medicines available in the market to restore skin color. However, one should know that black pepper is loaded with piperline that helps in restoring the natural color of the skin. This also ensures that the chances of occurrence of skin cancer due to overexposure to chemicals are reduced.
Black pepper used for skin rash and skin allergy, you also uses black pepper as scrup to remove dead skin.
Summary- Black pepper particularly oil possesses skin-friendly attributes. It enhances skin texture and prevents certain skin disorders.
Black pepper Helpful for blood circulation
Skin deformation, like wrinkles, is kept at bay if one adds black pepper to their diet since young age. The occurrence of premature ageing, dark spots are also kept in control if one eats black pepper in raw or cooked form.
Eating black pepper makes sure that blood circulation to different parts of the body is improved. This also ensures that skin is rejuvenated. Skin disorders like acne are controlled if one adds black pepper to their diet. The skin exfoliation can be done by crushing some black pepper and applying it over skin.
Summary- Regular intake of black pepper aids regulation of blood pressure also. It also helps to eradicate skin disorders and prevents premature ageing issues.
Black pepper benefits for hair fall and hair regrowth
Black pepper is used in the treatment of dandruff in hair. One should crush black pepper, mix it with curd and then apply it to the scalp. Leave it for thirty minutes before washing it off. Make sure that excess black pepper is not used as it can cause burns on the scalp.
One should not use shampoo for twenty-four hours for black pepper to show its effects. Add lime to crushed black pepper and apply it to the scalp. When left for thirty minutes before washing it off, the mixture will make the hair shiny.
Add curd with black pepper for hair loss problem, one of the effective home remedy. Even black pepper oil used to prevent hair loss and hair regrowth.
Summary- Black pepper displays hair-protecting capabilities. It can be applied directly on hair scalp to treat dandruff, itchy scalp, hair loss, etc.
Black pepper benefits for weight loss
Black pepper aids in weight loss. The reason is that black pepper is rich in phytonutrients and this helps in breaking down excess fat and improves the metabolism of the body.
Summary- Black pepper also helps to get desired weight by losing excess fat from the body.
Home Remedy for depression -
Black pepper is used in the treatment of depression. When one chews raw black pepper, a mood-inducing chemical is released from the brain, and this fills the mind with a soothing, calm mood.
Summary- Depression and random mood fluctuation can be healed by chewing black pepper. It helps to lighten the mood by inducing mood-inducing chemicals.
Black Pepper Reliefs from Joint pain
Black pepper is good for prevention of arthritis and joint pains. Black pepper has medicinal properties that help to combat gout. It is useful for people suffering from joint and spinal pain.
Summary- Black pepper helps to alleviate the symptoms of pain and inflammation. It is best known to tackle gout and arthritis.
Black pepper removes toxins from body
This wonder spice helps to promote sweating and urination. Thus help to get rid of toxins in the body.
Summary- Consumption of black pepper supports natural detoxification of the body by sweating and urination process.
Black pepper reduce joint pains
Black pepper is good for prevention of arthritis and joint pains. Black pepper has medicinal properties that help to combat gout. It is useful for people suffering from joint and spinal pain.
Summary- Black pepper contains several nutrients which help to heal joint pain.
Uses of Black Pepper
Black pepper is a spice that is used in-
- Black pepper is used in many different cuisines around the world.
- It is used extensively during cold and winter seasons and helps to combat respiratory problems.
- Both erectile dysfunction and an aphrodisiac are treated with it.
Summary- Black peppers are incorporated in numerous dishes and help to heal some disorders too.
Black Pepper Side-Effects & Allergies
Some side effects of black pepper are-
- Black pepper has been shown to give people heartburn when consumed in big doses.
- Black pepper can be fatal if it gets into the lungs in big doses.
- Black pepper is known to give stomachs a burning feeling.
- Crushed black pepper can cause a burning sensation in the eyes if it accidentally enters the eyes.
- Black pepper can occasionally interact negatively with certain medications.
- Pregnant women may have some discomfort from black pepper, and nursing mothers may experience mild allergy.
Summary- Black pepper if consumed in large amounts then it may cause some side effects like burning sensations in the stomach, eyes, etc.
Origin And Cultivation of Black Pepper
Black pepper is one the most popular spices. It originates from Western ghats of India. It’s botanical name is ‘Piper Nigrum’. Black pepper is also famous as the “king of spices”. Pepper is majorly grown in areas of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Andaman & Nicobar. It belongs to the family of Piperaceae, cultivated for its fruits which are known as Peppercorn.
Majorly, the pepper cultivation is seen in tropics of Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Africa and in some parts of Western Hemisphere. The pepper plant requires a long rainy season, a fairly high temperature, a partial shade for its growth. The spice is also known as “Black gold” due to its international trade factor.
Summary- The origin of black pepper is traced back to the Western Ghats of ancient India. Nowadays it is exported worldwide to meet different demands.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I take black pepper every day?
Can black pepper detox the body?
What does black pepper do to the brain?
Does black pepper affect blood pressure?
References
- Srinivasan K. Black pepper and its pungent principle-piperine: a review of diverse physiological effects. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. 2007 Oct 25;47(8):735-48. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:
- Ahmad N, Fazal H, Abbasi BH, Farooq S, Ali M, Khan MA. Biological role of Piper nigrum L.(Black pepper): A review. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. 2012 Jan 1;2(3):S1945-53. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:
- Singletary K. Black pepper: overview of health benefits. Nutrition Today. 2010 Jan 1;45(1):43-7. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:
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