Black pepper is everywhere! we have all seen it in small bottles in restaurants, or even sometimes have it at home but never really got to think about its uses. In this article, I have put together, not just the most common uses of black pepper, but also the surprising side effects of black pepper. Before I we go through all these, let us learn something about Black pepper.
What is black pepper?
Black pepper is scientifically known as Piper nigrum. It is a flowering vine originally from India. Black pepper is cultivated/grown for its fruit. When it is ripe, it’s dried and can either be left as peppercorns or as a ground pepper seasoning.
Black pepper, like any other food substance, if not taken in appropriate measures may cause serious harm to our bodies.
Some of the side effects of black pepper include: affecting blood sugar levels in diabetic individuals, slowing blood clotting, affecting male fertility, can cause a burning sensation in stomach and throat, can lead to absorbing medicines to high levels, inhibition of metabolic processes, causing skin redness and burning sensation to the foetus in pregnant women.
Despite the side effects stated above and what I have detailed later in this post, black pepper has quite a number of uses. Some of the uses are health benefits majorly, which we have detailed in the article on the health benefits of black pepper
Uses of black pepper
In food
It has anti-bacterial properties to the extent that it can help preserve meat!
Black pepper is used as a spice that gives food that extra amazing flavour when used in the right quantities.
Health benefits of black pepper
- Black pepper has been proven to clear colds and viral infections especially when taken in tea. It also provides relief from sinusitis and nasal congestion. It helps break up the mucus and phlegm depositions in the respiratory tract. Its natural irritant quality helps you to sneeze so all the blockage is got read of. This mostly happens when you smell it.
- Improves digestion by stimulating the secretion of digestive enzymes.
- Stimulates appetites and has been proven to help eating disorders.
- Black pepper is a powerful anti-oxidant which helps repair or prevent the effect caused by free radicles in the body. According to a review study conducted by lead researcher Jie Zheng, that compared various spices, piperine found in black pepper exhibits antitumor activity.
- When foods are eaten with black pepper, it helps the absorption of important nutrients in the food much more easily.
- Reduces the risk of cancer. Research has proved that food, especially meat when boiled at high temperatures, releases heterocyclic amines which are responsible for cancer cells. Pepper contains piperine which detoxicates these cancer cells. This eventually reduces the risk of getting cancer from the food we eat.
Black pepper has many health benefits and weight loss is one of them. It is rich in vitamins, minerals and healthy fats. Research shows that black pepper contains piperine, which prevents fat cell differentiation, enhances fat metabolism, and increases the absorption of nutrients. So, if you want to lose weight or to avoid obesity, include black pepper into your daily meals.
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Black pepper benefits for weight loss
Black pepper has anti-bacterial properties. This means it helps to fight against bacterial infections in the body. Most of the bacteria come from the unhealthy foods we may eat or contaminated drinks.
Is black pepper good for your skin?
Black pepper benefits for the skin
- Black pepper helps to provide relief from vitiligo, which is a skin disease that causes some areas of skin to lose its normal pigmentation and turn white. According to researchers in Oregon Health & Science University, the piperine content of pepper can stimulate the skin to produce melanocytes pigment which is responsible for skin colour.
- The piperine in black pepper has anti-oxidants which helps prevent the skin from ageing and fine lines.
- Black pepper is used in making a scrub which can be used for exfoliation of the skin, removing dead cells. To make the scrub, just add half a teaspoon of powdered black pepper to 1teaspoon of yoghurt.
Related article:
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So, how does black pepper do all these things? How does black pepper work?
Black pepper contains a chemical compound called piperine. Piperine is the magic behind all the wonders of black pepper. It has many effects on both human and animal life. It can kill bacteria, fungi, and parasites. the compound also helps with the absorption of some nutrients and protect against cancer.
As I have mentioned earlier, black pepper has many uses, however, as the saying goes, “too much of anything is always bad”, this wonder spice has surprising side effects that will really surprise you.
8 Surprising side effects of Black pepper.
Many times you have been in the kitchen, restaurant or any food herb enjoying meals. Have you ever imagined or asked your self whether the food you are taking is safe or harmful to your body? Well, I am here to let you know that every food when not taken at the right time or the right proportions may cause harm to your body. Let us take a dive at some of the side effects of black pepper.
1. Black pepper could cause gastrointestinal issues.
Gastrointestinal problems are a serious side effect of black pepper. Piperine which is the most important compound in black pepper can leave a serious burning when tasted. Though this is just a characteristic of black pepper, consuming it in excess can leave a similar burning sensation in your throat and stomach.
2.Could cause over absorption of certain drugs.
Black pepper promotes the absorption of certain drugs. These include those that boost hepatic metabolism and antihistamines that fight allergies. Piperine plays the role of a catalyst in drug absorption. Though this is a good property of piperine, as aside effect of black pepper, if a medication is poorly absorbed, may lead to over absorption of certain medications to adverse high levels.
3.Might affect blood sugar control
Black pepper might affect blood sugar levels. This is also another serious side effect of black pepper. Taking black pepper in amounts greater than those in food might affect blood sugar control in people with diabetes. Dosing adjustments for diabetes medications might be needed.
4. Black pepper could slow blood clotting.
Blood clotting disturbance is another side effect of black pepper. Piperine, a compound in black pepper, might slow blood clotting. Taking greater amounts of black pepper than those in food might increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders. Piperine in black pepper, may also slow blood clotting and cause bleeding complications or affect blood sugar levels during surgery.
5.May Interact With Certain Drugs.
The piperine in black pepper can interact with certain co-administered drugs. In various studies, Piperine was found to inhibit the metabolism of carbamazepine (medication used for epilepsy). Piperine inhibits the activity of CYP3A, an important body enzyme that plays a role in the removal of toxins in the body. This is a serious side effect of black pepper as this might lead to the accumulation of harmful toxins in the body.
6. Black pepper should be taken with caution during pregnancy!
Large amounts of black pepper in food can cause a burning sensation to the body of the infant. Piperine in black pepper can interfere with the reproductive process if it is not taken in rightful proportions. It also showed decreased sex performance and fertility in some cases.
7.May Affect Male Fertility.
Piperine may affect male fertility as well. In a rat study, the compound was found to damage sperms. It increased the concentration of harmful radicals in the epididymis, a duct in the male reproductive system where sperm is stored.
8.Causes irritation when you inhale it.
This is a serious side effect of black pepper. The piperine in black pepper is an irritant. Inhaling the smell of black pepper can irritate the nerve endings in the nasal mucous membrane. This causes you to sneeze as the nose wants to excrete the irritant.
What is the dosage of black pepper?
Have you thought about dosage or asked your self the appropriate dosage and how often you should take black pepper? Are relevant directions on how to use black pepper products. Well, black pepper should be okay when taken normally in food as a spice.
However, if being used in other forms like supplements or for other health reasons, the appropriate dose depends on several factors such as the user’s age, health, and several other conditions. There is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for black pepper in children or adults. It must be noted that natural products are not always automatically safe. Therefore, precautions and directions on usage are very important and must be followed. Always be aware of relevant directions on product labels and consult a physician or other healthcare personnel before use.
Do you need black pepper with turmeric?
Often, you wonder if there are black pepper supplements or whether black pepper can be coupled with other spices. Surely, I can confidently say black pepper can be used with turmeric. But let us briefly describe turmeric, and thereafter we talk about the combination.
Turmeric is a flowering plant closely related to ginger. Turmeric is also known as the Indian saffron. It gives food a distinctive flavour and a deep orange colour. Tumeric originated from Asia and Central America. It has been used in traditional Indian medicine over the years.
Coupling turmeric with black pepper may enhance its effectiveness. Both turmeric and black pepper have active ingredients, curcumin for the former and piperine for the later. Both compounds are strong antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, piperine in black pepper has a very wonderful absorption ability, unlike curcumin in the turmeric. Therefore piperine can help in the absorption of curcumin when the two are combined in food.
So, to fully enjoy the advantages of turmeric and black pepper, consider mixing these spices for the best results.
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