The benefits and harms of ground black pepper for health, rules and methods of its use
Ground black pepper is a spicy, fragrant seasoning that is added to various culinary dishes to give them a piquant and rich taste. It is the fruit of the Indian liana, which is cultivated in the tropics. All varieties of spice (black, white, green and pink pepper) are obtained from one crop - Piper nigrum.
Consider the benefits and harms of ground black pepper, the composition and calorie content, medicinal properties for various diseases, the norms and methods of use, especially the use in cooking, folk medicine.
The content of the article
Ground black pepper
The homeland of black pepper - plants in the form of liana with fruits-peas - India. The fruits are harvested 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. Vitamin K, vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin B6, manganese, copper, magnesium and calcium are found in large quantities. Of the vitamins, the composition contains alpha and beta-carotene, A (retinol), B1, B2, B3, B9 (folic acid), E, PP.
There are also trace elements (iron, selenium, zinc, fluorine), as well as macronutrients (potassium, sodium, phosphorus). There are sugar, fructose, glucose, galactose, a variety of nonessential and essential amino acids, phytosterols, saturated fatty acids, poly- and monounsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber, ash.
Why black pepper is useful for the body:
- suppresses the activity of inflammation;
- has antibacterial properties;
- enhances intestinal peristalsis;
- removes toxins and toxins;
- normalizes metabolism;
- reduces the risk of increased gassing;
- activates the work of the gastrointestinal tract;
- supports the functions of the nervous system;
- 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, 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 breakdown of fats, which contributes to 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.
Useful 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. Especially useful fragrant seasoning for the digestive system. Pepper activates the production of hydrochloric acid, which has a number of important functions:
- creates an acidic environment necessary for the action of enzymes in gastric juice;
- promotes the loss of their natural properties by proteins, 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 the secretion of the pancreas.
Pectin substances in the composition of ground black pepper act like a sponge: they cleanse the digestive tract of various toxins and toxins, normalize metabolic processes. The spice also provides a feeling of long-term satiety, which allows you to give up snacks, reduce the portion of food, resulting in weight loss.
Advice... Nutritionists recommend to eat 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 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, 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 more quickly and easily.
Black pepper helps to restore the nervous system, improve its functionality, relieve fear, eliminate irritability, anxiety, and reduce strong emotional stress.
Magnesium and potassium in the composition determine the transfer of excitation from nerve cells to muscles, improve vascular tone, regulate the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates. Calcium takes part in the construction of bone tissue, mineralization of teeth, blood coagulation processes, increases bone density, and ensures stable myocardial function.
The systematic consumption of black pepper in reasonable doses satisfies the body's needs for manganese. The biological component is essential for the normal functioning of the reproductive system. It also protects internal structures from the unwanted effects of the external environment, is responsible for sexual health and libido, 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 reproduction of pathogens on the surface of the mucous membrane, reduces the likelihood of infectious and colds.
When harm exceeds benefit
However, black pepper is not always useful. 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 ulcer, duodenal ulcer or provoke an exacerbation of gastrointestinal pathologies.
Pepper is a stimulant of the secretion of gastric juice, has an acidic environment, therefore, it can increase the level of acidity, which is unfavorable for people who have been diagnosed with gastritis with high acidity.
Important! In men, with frequent use of ground pepper, problems with reproductive function may occur.
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, musculoskeletal system... It is added to food as a spice or as a medicine.
Experts recommend eating 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 emptying.
Black pepper helps to normalize weight. Vegetable fiber cleanses the intestines from toxins and toxins, activates metabolic processes, improves digestion. Pectin fibers, getting into the stomach, swell, take up free space, as a result of which a person does not feel hunger, the volume of portions decreases and there is no need for additional snacks.
Black pepper increases stamina and performance. Physical activity increases, which leads to additional burning of calories.
The spice is used to treat and prevent diseases of the cardiovascular system, such as atherosclerosis of the vessels of the brain, heart attack, stroke. The chemical components of black pepper improve the activity of blood vessels, normalize the permeability of the vascular walls, normalize tissue metabolism and microcirculation, normalize the lipid composition of the blood, expand the lumen of blood vessels, which provides free oxygen access to organs and tissues.
Ground black pepper in combination with drugs is used to treat pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma and tuberculosis. It reduces the viscosity of sputum, facilitates its excretion, prevents accumulation in the respiratory tract, thereby reducing the frequency and intensity of coughing acts. Possessing antibacterial properties, pepper prevents the penetration of infections into the lower respiratory tract, reduces the likelihood of complications, and shortens the duration of treatment.
Ground black pepper is used as a prophylactic agent for oncological diseases. It inhibits the growth and formation of cancer cells, neutralizes free radicals.
Black pepper is used externally for wounds and cuts. It accelerates the healing processes, restores and maintains epithelial tissues, prevents the penetration of microbes, stops bleeding, and has a positive effect on microcirculation.
Pepper is popular in cosmetology and dermatology. Together with salt, 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 the spice, you can get rid of white spots (vitiligo), restore the normal skin tone, and prevent the formation of new areas of depigmentation on the skin.
Advice... If you add ground black pepper to the toothpaste, you can prevent tooth decay.
For women
Ground black pepper is important for the normal functioning of the reproductive system, which has a number of functions:
- regulates the synthesis of sex hormones;
- delivers eggs to the fertilization zone;
- creates normal conditions for bearing a fetus throughout pregnancy;
- stimulates generic activity;
- 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, nails, which is important for a woman at any age.
There is no unequivocal opinion on the question of whether black pepper is possible for pregnant and lactating women. However, most experts agree that in moderation the spice is good for the woman's body and does not threaten the health and life of the child. Pepper stimulates metabolism, starts self-healing processes, relieves depression, helps to normalize weight.
For men
The benefit for men is that black pepper regulates and stimulates testosterone production. It is the main male sex hormone that plays an important role in the production of sperm, influences the development of musculoskeletal tissue, performs the function of distributing fats, is responsible for sexual health and follicular maturation during ovulation, and provides sex drive.
For kids
Since ground black pepper is highly irritating to the stomach lining, it is not recommended for children under five years of age. The spice should be introduced into the child's diet gradually, in a minimum amount, observing the reaction of the body. In small doses, the spice is favorable for the state of bone tissue, mineralization of teeth, strengthening of immunity.
Usage rates
The average daily rate of ground black pepper is 1 g. Depending on taste preferences and the state of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, the rate can be adjusted up or down.
Application methods
The spice is widely used in cooking as an aromatic food additive, in folk medicine as a medicinal ingredient. Infusions and decoctions for oral administration, as well as ointments and compresses for external use are prepared from black pepper.
In cooking
In cooking, the fruits of black pepper are used whole and ground, as an independent spice or in mixtures with other seasonings. Pepper gives a piquant taste and rich aroma to meat and fish dishes; it is added to soups and broths, and is used to make marinade and sauce.
Whole peas are added to conservation, in crushed form - in pates, sausages, 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 bone and cartilage tissue, and increases physical activity.
External use
Black pepper is used as a component of rubbing and compresses to remove depigmentation areas on the skin, to stop hair loss on the head. It is used as a wound healing agent for burns and cuts.
Slimming
In order to get rid of extra pounds, black ground pepper is added to culinary dishes. There is a more effective way to lose weight using spices: drink a glass of kefir with a pinch of pepper every morning on an empty stomach.
Weight loss per week ranges from 1.5 to 2 kg. However, it is important to understand the consequences of such a diet and assess the risk to the stomach.
Read also:
What is white pepper and how is it used in cooking, 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;
- diseases of the bladder;
- intestinal and stomach bleeding;
- recent surgery on the digestive system.
Nutritionists with caution recommend the use of black pepper for pregnant and lactating women, the elderly, and children.
Important! Black pepper should be excluded from the diet a day before the delivery of laboratory blood and urine tests, as it can distort the results of the study.
Reviews
Reviews of the effectiveness of black ground pepper are different. More positive statements that confirm the benefits of the spice for the body as a whole and the healing effect for specific organs and systems. Negative opinions are rare and are associated with the frequent use of the seasoning in large quantities.
Julia, 25 years old: “Black pepper helps me maintain my weight. I constantly add to various dishes in moderation.I noticed that the feeling of hunger disappears for a long time, there is no need for snacks, endurance and working capacity increase, physical activity increases, due to which more calories are spent ”.
Irina, 36 years old: “I constantly feel a burning sensation behind the breastbone after every meal. A friend recommended a remedy that she herself treats heartburn: 10 g of ground ginger, 7 g of black ground pepper and 0.5 liters of water. Pour the ingredients into boiling water, simmer for 5-10 minutes, insist under the lid. The filtered broth is taken 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 is. "
Elena, 58 years old: “I have gout. I drank a course of "Indomethacin" to relieve pain and inflammation, "Azapropazone" in order to activate the excretion of uric acid. Further, to prevent exacerbation, every day I ate 2-3 peas of black pepper. I heard that it reduces the concentration of uric acid in the tissues, which inhibits the progression of the disease. Within two months I had another attack and the spice was useless. Therefore, if you want to get a result, you have to take only medications. "
Conclusion
Ground black pepper is not only popular in cooking, but has also found wide application in folk medicine, cosmetology, dermatology. It is used for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the heart, blood vessels, nervous system, organs of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, musculoskeletal system.
Only with moderate and correct use can it be beneficial.