The health benefits and harms of ground black pepper, rules and methods of its use
Ground black pepper is a hot, aromatic seasoning that is added to various culinary dishes to give them a spicy and rich taste. This is the fruit of an Indian vine, which is cultivated in the tropics. All varieties of spice (black, white, green and pink pepper) are obtained from one crop - Piper nigrum.
Let's consider the benefits and harms of ground black pepper, composition and calorie content, medicinal properties for various diseases, norms and methods of use, features of use in cooking and folk medicine.
Ground black pepper
The homeland of black pepper, a plant in the form of a vine with pea-shaped fruits, is India. The fruits are collected when they are not yet ripe, dried, and then ground into a powdery mixture. The peas themselves are stored for a long time, at least six months, but ground black pepper - no more than three months.
Therefore, experts advise not to buy ready-made spices, but to grind dry peas at home as needed.
Composition and properties
In addition to water, the chemical composition includes a large list of biologically active components. It contains large quantities of vitamin K, vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin B6, manganese, copper, magnesium and calcium. Among the vitamins, the composition contains alpha and beta-carotene, A (retinol), B1, B2, B3, B9 (folic acid), E, PP.
It also contains microelements (iron, selenium, zinc, fluorine), as well as macroelements (potassium, sodium, phosphorus). There is sugar, fructose, glucose, galactose, nonessential and essential amino acids in variety, phytosterols, saturated fatty acids, poly- and monounsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber, ash.
Benefits of black pepper for the body:
- suppresses inflammation activity;
- has antibacterial properties;
- enhances intestinal motility;
- removes waste and toxins;
- normalizes metabolism;
- reduces the risk of increased gas formation;
- activates the gastrointestinal tract;
- supports nervous system functions;
- improves the condition of hair, skin, nails;
- slows down the aging process;
- takes an active part in the formation of new cells;
- serves as a good prevention of atherosclerosis;
- reduces the load on the heart, which reduces the likelihood of stroke and heart attack;
- improves blood viscosity and fluidity;
- strengthens the walls of blood vessels, increases their elasticity;
- normalizes blood circulation processes;
- facilitates the removal of bronchial secretions from the respiratory tract;
- accelerates the process of fat breakdown, which promotes weight loss.
Calorie content and BZHU
The energy value of ground black pepper is 251 kcal.
100 g of spice contains:
- proteins - 10.39 g;
- fat - 3.26 g;
- carbohydrates - 38.65 g.
Beneficial properties and harm of the product: how it affects the organs and systems of the body
Ground black pepper, when consumed wisely, generally benefits the body. Particularly useful aromatic seasoning for the digestive system. Pepper activates the production of hydrochloric acid, which performs a number of important functions:
- creates an acidic environment necessary for the action of gastric juice enzymes;
- contributes to the loss of proteins of their natural properties, swelling in the stomach, which facilitates their subsequent breakdown;
- provides antimicrobial effect of gastric juice;
- creates conditions for normal evacuation of food from the stomach;
- stimulates pancreatic secretion.
Pectin substances in ground black pepper act like a sponge: they cleanse the digestive tract of various wastes and toxins and normalize metabolic processes. The spice also provides a feeling of long-term satiety, which allows you to give up snacking and reduce portions of food, resulting in weight loss.
Advice. Nutritionists recommend eating 2-3 black peppercorns after meals for a month for people who want to lose weight.
Ground black pepper is good for the cardiovascular system. It reduces the load on the heart, improves the rheological properties of the blood, lowers cholesterol levels, and prevents the formation of anti-sclerotic plaques inside the blood vessels of the brain. Strengthens the walls of blood vessels, increases their elasticity, normalizes blood pressure, serves as a good prevention of atherosclerosis, stroke, coronary artery disease, and heart attack.
Pepper has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system. It has the properties of an expectorant: it dilutes bronchial secretions, activates the work of the ciliated epithelium, as a result of which sputum leaves the respiratory tract faster and easier.
Black pepper helps restore the nervous system, improve its functionality, relieve fear, eliminate irritability, anxiety, and reduce severe emotional stress.
Magnesium and potassium in the composition determine the transmission of excitation from nerve cells to muscles, improve vascular tone, and regulate the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates. Calcium takes part in the construction of bone tissue, mineralization of teeth, blood clotting processes, increases bone density, and ensures stable myocardial function.
Systematic consumption of black pepper in reasonable doses satisfies the body's needs for manganese. The biological component is important for the normal functioning of the reproductive system. It also protects internal structures from unwanted effects of the external environment, is responsible for sexual health and libido, and regulates the synthesis of female and male sex hormones.
Ascorbic acid, together with vitamins B6, takes part in the formation of antimicrobial immunity, increases the body's defenses, which prevents the penetration and proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms on the surface of the mucosa, and reduces the likelihood of infectious and colds.
When the harm outweighs the benefit
However, ground black pepper is not always beneficial. If consumed frequently, it can cause stomach discomfort and heartburn. The acids in the spice have a mechanical effect on the mucous membrane, which can cause the development of gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, or provoke an exacerbation of gastrointestinal pathologies.
Pepper is a stimulant of gastric juice secretion and has an acidic environment; therefore, it can increase the level of acidity, which is unfavorable for people diagnosed with gastritis with high acidity.
Important! In men, frequent consumption of ground pepper may cause problems with reproductive function.
Medicinal properties for various diseases
Ground black pepper is widely used for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the digestive, nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory systems, and musculoskeletal system.. It is added to food as a spice or used as a medicine.
Experts recommend consuming black pepper in moderation for constipation. It improves intestinal motility, stimulates the mucous membrane of the small intestine, which helps soften stool and facilitates the process of bowel movement.
Black pepper helps normalize weight. Plant fiber cleanses the intestines of waste and toxins, activates metabolic processes, and improves digestion. Pectin fibers, entering the stomach, swell and take up free space, as a result of which a person does not feel hungry, the volume of portions is reduced and there is no need for additional snacks.
Black pepper increases stamina and performance. Physical activity increases, which leads to additional calorie burning.
The spice is used for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular system, such as cerebral atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke. The chemical components of black pepper improve the activity of blood vessels, normalize the permeability of vascular walls, normalize tissue metabolism and microcirculation, normalize the lipid composition of the blood, expand the lumen of blood vessels, which ensures free access of oxygen to organs and tissues.
Ground black pepper in combination with medications is used to treat pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma and tuberculosis. It reduces the viscosity of sputum, facilitates its removal, prevents accumulation in the respiratory tract, thereby reducing the frequency and intensity of coughing. Possessing antibacterial properties, pepper prevents the penetration of infections into the lower respiratory tract, reduces the likelihood of complications, and shortens treatment time.
Ground black pepper is used as a preventative against cancer. It suppresses the growth and formation of cancer cells, neutralizes free radicals.
Black pepper is used externally for wounds and cuts. It accelerates the healing process, restores and maintains epithelial tissue, prevents the penetration of microbes, stops bleeding, and has a positive effect on microcirculation.
Pepper is popular in cosmetology and dermatology. Together with salt and onion juice, it stops progressive hair loss, stimulates the growth of hair follicles, and improves hair condition. In equal proportions with flour and olive oil, it is used to treat lichen. With the help of spice, you can get rid of white spots (vitiligo), restore normal skin tone, and prevent the formation of new areas of depigmentation on the skin.
Advice. Adding ground black pepper to your toothpaste can help prevent tooth decay.
For women
Ground black pepper is important for the normal functioning of the reproductive system, which performs a number of functions:
- regulates the synthesis of sex hormones;
- delivers eggs to the fertilization zone;
- creates normal conditions for gestation throughout pregnancy;
- stimulates labor;
- takes part in the production of breast milk.
Retinol and vitamin B6 slow down the aging process, take part in the formation of new cells, improve the condition of the skin, hair, and nails, which is important for a woman at any age.
There is no clear opinion on the question of whether black pepper can be consumed by pregnant and lactating women. However, most experts agree that in moderation, the spice is beneficial for a woman’s body and does not threaten the health and life of the child. Pepper stimulates metabolism, starts self-healing processes, relieves depression, and helps normalize weight.
For men
The benefit for men is that black pepper regulates and stimulates testosterone production. This is the main male sex hormone, which plays an important role in the production of sperm, affects the development of musculoskeletal tissue, performs the function of fat distribution, is responsible for sexual health and maturation of follicles during ovulation, and ensures sexual desire.
For children
Since ground black pepper strongly irritates the gastric mucosa, it is not recommended for children under five years of age. The spice should be introduced into the child’s diet gradually, in minimal quantities, observing the body’s reaction. In small doses, the spice is beneficial for the condition of bone tissue, mineralization of teeth, and strengthening the immune system.
Standards of use
The average daily norm of ground black pepper is 1 g. Depending on taste preferences and the condition of the gastrointestinal tract, the norm can be adjusted up or down.
Methods of application
The spice is widely used in cooking as an aromatic food additive, and in folk medicine as a medicinal ingredient. Black pepper is used to prepare infusions and decoctions for oral administration, as well as ointments and compresses for external use.
In cooking
In cooking, black pepper fruits are used whole and ground, as an independent spice or in mixtures with other seasonings. Pepper adds a spicy taste and rich aroma to meat and fish dishes, it is added to soups and broths, and used to prepare marinade and sauce.
Whole peas are added to canned food, and in crushed form - to pates, sausage products, and cheeses.
In folk medicine
Ground black pepper is popular in the treatment and prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular, nervous, digestive, and endocrine systems. Tincture with black pepper helps with rheumatism, osteochondrosis, gout, arthritis and arthrosis of various origins. It relieves pain and inflammation well, inhibits degenerative processes, restores osteochondral tissue, and increases motor activity.
External use
Black pepper is used as a component of rubs and compresses to remove areas of depigmentation on the skin and stop hair loss on the head. Used as a wound healing agent for burns and cuts.
For weight loss
In order to get rid of extra pounds, ground black pepper is added to culinary dishes. There is a more effective way to lose weight with the help of spices: every morning on an empty stomach, drink a glass of kefir with a pinch of pepper.
Over a week, weight loss ranges from 1.5 to 2 kg. However, it is important to understand the consequences of such a diet and assess the risks to the stomach.
Read also:
What is white pepper and how is it used in cooking and cosmetology.
Contraindications
Whole or ground black pepper is contraindicated in case of individual intolerance.
Relative contraindications include:
- anemia;
- acute inflammatory processes in the body;
- peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
- renal failure;
- bladder diseases;
- intestinal and stomach bleeding;
- recent operations on the digestive organs.
Nutritionists recommend using black pepper with caution for pregnant and lactating women, the elderly, and children.
Important! Black pepper should be excluded from the diet the day before a laboratory test of blood and urine, as it can distort the results of the study.
Reviews
Reviews about the effectiveness of ground black pepper vary. More positive statements that confirm the benefits of spices for the body as a whole and the healing effect for specific organs and systems. Negative opinions are rare and are associated with frequent use of the seasoning in large quantities.
Julia, 25 years old: “Black pepper helps me maintain weight. I constantly add it to different dishes in moderation. I noticed that the feeling of hunger disappears for a long time, there is no need for snacks, endurance and performance increase, motor activity increases, due to which more calories are consumed.”
Irina, 36 years old: “I constantly experience a burning sensation in my chest after every meal. A friend recommended a remedy that she uses to treat heartburn: 10 g of ground ginger, 7 g of ground black pepper and 0.5 liters of water.Pour the ingredients into boiling water, simmer over low heat for 5-10 minutes, leave covered. Take the strained decoction orally, 100 ml three times a day, 15 minutes before meals. The course of treatment is 3 days. After this remedy, I forgot what heartburn was.”
Elena, 58 years old: “I have gout. I took a course of Indomethacin to relieve pain and inflammation, and Azapropazone to activate the removal of uric acid. Then, to prevent exacerbation, I ate 2-3 black peppercorns every day. I heard that it reduces the concentration of uric acid in tissues, which inhibits the progression of the disease. Two months later I had a new attack, and the spice turned out to be useless. Therefore, if you want to get results, you need to take only medications.”
Conclusion
Ground black pepper is not only popular in cooking, but has also found wide use in folk medicine, cosmetology, and dermatology. It is used for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the heart, blood vessels, nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, and musculoskeletal system.
Only with moderate and proper use can it be beneficial.