Ground black pepper is a bitter-spicy spice with a pronounced aroma. It is used for cooking, making seasonings, and also for treating various diseases. In any form (ground or peas), black pepper is beneficial to the body, but its consumption can also be harmful. More about this.

Nutritional value and calorie content

100 g of ground black pepper contains:

• 10.39 g proteins;
• 3.26 g fat;
• 63.95 g carbohydrates.

The calorie content of the spice is 251 kcal per 100 g.

Compound

Black pepper contains:

• essential oil;
• fatty oil;
• starch;
• piperine;
• vitamins of groups A, B, C, E and K;
• minerals: F (fluorine), Se (selenium), Mn (manganese), Cu (copper), Zn (zinc), Fe (iron), P (phosphorus), K (potassium), Na (sodium), Mg ( magnesium), Ca (calcium).

The constituent elements of the product confirm that it has beneficial properties. But why is black pepper so beneficial?

Beneficial features

This seasoning helps improve digestion and blood circulation, cleanse the gastrointestinal tract of toxins, and normalize metabolism. In addition, the spice can activate the consumption and burning of calories.
Its regular use provokes a decrease in the likelihood of developing heart and vascular diseases and prevents the formation of blood clots. During grinding, most of the oils evaporate, so black pepper in peas is more useful than ground.

Application

The spice is extremely popular. It is used in the preparation of various dishes, for weight loss and treatment.

Treatment

The spice was often used as an anti-inflammatory and cleansing agent. Piperine, which is part of the composition, helps to obtain more nutrients from the food consumed. In addition, with its help, the hormones serotonin and endorphin are produced more actively.

A tincture prepared from the seasoning is used to treat skin diseases. Black peppercorns are used in folk medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. It helps to cope with heaviness in the stomach, flatulence and indigestion.
To do this, use a special mixture of a pinch of spice and baked milk (1 tbsp.).

The seasoning is recommended for use in preparing medicine for colds. It contains, in addition to 1 tsp. spices, includes (1 tbsp.) and turmeric (1 tsp.). This seasoning is also used to prepare rubs for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.

They treat diseases of the genitourinary system, as well as impotence (at the initial stage), with the help of black pepper. It is also effective in the fight against hair loss.

It is a known fact that this spice increases appetite and immunity, improving health.

Weight loss

Eating this spice stimulates the appetite and prevents overeating. The best way to lose weight is to reduce your intake of fats and carbohydrates and increase physical activity.

Black pepper oil is an effective weight loss remedy. It is used to reduce the size of the waist and buttocks. The course of weight loss using this product is 10-15 days. Compliance with the consumption of such seasoning is a mandatory precaution to preserve your health.

Important! Before you start losing weight with black pepper, visit your doctor for a consultation.

Cooking

The seasoning in ground form is also used in cooking, in particular, for preparing fish and meat dishes. Peas are more often used for marinade or soups. It is more pungent than ground, so it must be added to the dish long before it is ready.
The spice improves the taste of any dish, and its use for preparing various preparations helps to extend their shelf life. Sometimes it is added to desserts (for example, Russian gingerbread, Baltic cookies) and drinks (various cocktails, tea, etc.).

Grinding peas yourself helps to obtain a more aromatic, rich-tasting product (as opposed to store-bought).

Harm and contraindications

In addition to the benefits of black pepper, both in the form of peas and ground, there are also facts that prove its harm. It is extremely undesirable to use the spice during exacerbations of diseases of the genitourinary system.

People with anemia, gastrointestinal ulcers and allergies to the seasoning should also not use it.
The spice will not be beneficial during acute inflammatory processes in the body. Its use is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Black pepper is a spice that has been used in food since ancient times; most of us have known its taste since childhood. It is valued for its pleasant, moderately spicy flavor, which it imparts to a wide variety of dishes. Ground black pepper, like any food product, has benefits and harms for the body.

What are the benefits of ground black pepper?

The benefit of black pepper is that it can activate digestion. Thanks to its thermogenic properties, ground black pepper speeds up the metabolic process. The nutritional value of ground black pepper is due to its rich and rich biochemical composition. This seasoning contains:

• B vitamins – B1, B2, B6, B9;
• beta carotene and vitamin A;
• choline, vitamins C, K and PP;
• mineral salts of zinc, calcium, potassium, magnesium, fluorine, manganese and copper.

It is impossible not to mention such properties of black pepper as the ability to increase body temperature, bactericidal, diaphoretic, diuretic and cleansing effects on the body. Consuming black pepper in moderation helps:

• fight infections;
• stimulate the digestive tract;
• helps cleanse the body of toxins;
• reducing increased gas formation in the intestines.

Scientists have proven the ability of black pepper to stop bleeding and prevent the formation of cancer cells.

Black pepper for weight loss

Thermogenic and stimulating properties of black pepper are used for weight loss. Like many spices, black pepper does an excellent job of breaking down fats; its diaphoretic, laxative and diuretic effects help get rid of excess fluid, toxins and waste.

The seasoning contains the substance piperine, which prevents the formation of fat cells. For weight loss purposes, ground black pepper can be used not only internally, but externally. By adding it to massage creams and oils, you can quickly get rid of cellulite.

However, you should not get carried away and increase the maximum allowable dose of black pepper, which is 5 g per day, otherwise you can provoke heartburn and. People with diseases of the digestive system, hypertension and arrhythmia should avoid using this spice or reduce it to a minimum.

Among the spices known all over the world, black pepper is the undisputed leader. This seasoning, which is found in every kitchen today, was worth its weight in gold in the old days. History has preserved documentary evidence even of the fact that merchants once used black pepper to make their calculations. By the way, in the Middle Ages, rich people gave this valuable spice as a dowry to their daughters.

The secret of black pepper's success

From the same ancient sources, it was possible to establish that this culture first appeared in India. With the development of navigation, this spice first spread to Asia, and only then came to Europe. The popularity of black peas with a specific spicy smell grew at incredible speed and soon black pepper was known on all continents.

Today, this crop is grown mainly in regions with a tropical climate. This matter is well established in countries such as Indonesia and Brazil. Small island states in the Pacific and Indian Oceans are also suppliers of black pepper to many countries around the world. The economy of these countries is based specifically on the pepper trade.

What is a plant

As already noted, a favorable habitat for black pepper is the tropics. Shrubs, similar in appearance to climbing vines, produce many small pea-shaped fruits after vigorous flowering. To obtain high-quality spices, unripe fruits are taken: they are dried, then crushed using special equipment and packaged in containers that can reliably protect the precious powder from moisture and preserve the aroma. This is an important condition, otherwise a product that has lost its main qualities is of no value.

But dry peas, unlike ground pepper, are not so demanding and can be stored for many years. When ground, the spice loses its amazing aroma after three months.

Depending on the harvesting technology used, the color of the fruits of the pepper bush can be:

• white - this variety is characterized by a delicate aroma and has a less pungent taste;
• red - this is the hottest variety, which is obtained from well-ripened fruits;
• green are fresh fruits, also often used in culinary practice.

Important point! The spiciness of black pepper and its taste characteristics largely depend not so much on the variety, but also on the country that supplied the product. Indian pepper is considered especially hot.

Composition of black pepper

Seasonings and spices are a must-have attribute of any kitchen. They are designed to improve the taste of dishes. But few people know that this category of products can be used for completely different purposes. For example, ground black pepper is often added to medicinal formulations. The ability to have a healing effect is due to the fact that pepper contains a lot of useful substances:

• alkaloids (piperine);
• essential oil;
• mineral elements;
• complex of vitamins, including C and E;
• cellulose;
• carbohydrates.

Proteins and fats are present in the seasoning in minimal doses. This health-promoting stack may provide a range of properties that help fight disease.

Pepper - healthy and effective

Black pepper's medicinal properties make it the healthiest of all spices. The seasoning has the following qualities:

• improves appetite;
• stimulates the production of digestive enzymes;
• has a pronounced antibacterial property;
• is a natural antioxidant;
• improves blood circulation, which has a positive effect on cardiac and brain activity;
• prevents the development of malignant tumors;
• has analgesic properties;
• is an excellent expectorant;
• thanks to its ability to thin the blood, it prevents the formation of blood clots;
• reduces cholesterol levels;
• stimulates sexual activity.

Activates the production of endorphin (the “happiness” hormone) and serotonin, a hormone responsible for many functions in the body, including immunity and good sleep.

For what diseases can pepper be used?

All the qualities listed here allow us to consider ground black pepper as an effective treatment for the following pathologies and conditions:

• digestive disorders;
• constipation;
• thrombosis and thrombophlebitis;
• bronchitis;
• rhinitis;
• hyperthermia;
• pneumonia;
• dysfunction of the liver, kidneys.

Ground pepper is suitable for solving preventive problems. For example, with its help you can effectively resist such insidious diseases as stroke or heart attack. It has a beneficial effect on the immune system, and its specific aroma prevents viral infections from entering the body.

Methods of use

Black pepper is widely used in cooking in any form: as part of mixed seasonings, in the form of peas, ground. Its bright scent lasts quite a long time. Pepper is especially good when added to meat and fish dishes. By improving the taste of food, it quietly provides enormous benefits to the body. Considering the low energy load, which is equal to 250 kcal per 100 grams of pure product, ground pepper can be considered a truly unique spice. After all, it will take years to “eat” as much as 100 grams of pepper.

For medicinal purposes, pepper is used mainly as a component additive to herbal or other compositions.

External use

1. The only situation where it is permissible to use ground pepper in its pure form is to treat wounds and scratches. The wound is simply sprinkled with powder on top. This clears the damaged surface of germs and stops bleeding.
2. Pepper can be used to cure ringworm by mixing a little of the spice with soy flour and olive oil. All ingredients are taken in equal parts, mixed, and the resulting ointment is subsequently used to treat problem areas.
3. This spice copes well with catastrophic hair loss. Alopecia, which is the name of the pathology from which many men suffer, can be cured if you prepare the following composition: salt, black pepper, onion juice. All components must be mixed, then applied to the scalp and left for 30 minutes. After this, the healing mask is washed off.

Losing weight with pepper

According to diet experts and experimenters in this area, losing weight is easy if you drink a glass of kefir with a pinch of pepper dissolved in the drink every morning on an empty stomach. They say that in this simple way you can lose up to 2 kg per week. But this recipe can only be used by those who do not have stomach problems.

Home therapy

1. To strengthen male power, as well as prevent the appearance of prostate adenoma, it is recommended to prepare a mixture of sugar and pepper. The ingredients are taken in equal proportions and simply mixed, and then added to the dishes.
2. An alcohol tincture made with whole black pepper, that is, peas, helps get rid of pain from radiculitis and arthrosis. And, if you regularly add spices in any form to your food, this will help the white spots with vitiligo disappear.

All of these properties make ground pepper irreplaceable if consumed in moderation.

When pepper is contraindicated

Of course, a product with such special qualities as pepper has a number of limitations. It is better to avoid it for people who:

• stomach ulcer;
• anemia;
• acute cystitis and other inflammatory processes in the kidneys;
• injuries;
• abdominal operations (due to the risk of bleeding).

Although the use of pepper is not strictly limited for pregnant women and nursing mothers, the presence of this hot spice in their menu should be minimized, or better yet completely abandoned for a while.

Video: the benefits and harms of black pepper

Black pepper is one of the most common spices, which is sure to be found in every housewife’s house.

Description

Black pepper is a shrub plant from the Pepper family. The plant is native to the Malabar Islands in India, which is why it is often called the “Malabar berry.”

The fruits of the tree are green peas that darken during processing. Depending on the time of collection and production technology, red, green and white peppers are also obtained. All varieties of pepper are used in cooking, but black pepper is the most popular.

In nature, shrubs climb up, entwining trees. Since pepper began to be cultivated, special poles have been installed for it on plantations, limiting the growth of the plant to 4-5 meters. In general, the height of the shrub can reach 15 meters. The leaves are up to 10 centimeters long. After the end of flowering, the plant bears round fruits, which are initially green in color, and then become yellow or red.

The length of the brush is up to 14 centimeters, which can contain 20-30 drupes. To obtain black pepper, the fruits are collected unripe, and when dried in the sun they turn black and wrinkle. The ripe fruits of the plant are soaked in water, the soft pericarp is removed and white pepper is obtained, which is not as hot as black pepper, but more aromatic and is also popular in cooking.

Black pepper has been cultivated in India since ancient times and was well known in Ancient Egypt, China, Rome and Greece. In the Middle Ages, pepper was highly valued and widely used in European cooking, despite its high cost. In those days, the monopoly on supplies belonged to merchants from Venice and Genoa. After this, the Portuguese, and even later the Dutch, took over the right to supply pepper to Europe.

Today, the largest producers of pepper are India, Brazil and Indonesia. These countries grow more than 40 thousand tons of pepper annually. In addition, black pepper is grown in Sumatra, Sri Lanka, Java, Kalimantan and other countries with tropical climates.

Use of black pepper in cooking

Of all the spices, black pepper is the most widely known. In cooking, it is used in ground form, whole peppercorns, and also as part of various spicy mixtures. The properties of ground black pepper include a more intense aroma, but it quickly runs out of flavor if it is not stored in an airtight container.

Pepper is added to almost all dishes - soups, gravies, sauces, minced meats, salads, marinades, sausages, legumes and vegetable dishes. It is also traditionally used in the preparation of all types of meat, game and fish, in cooking.

Composition and calorie content of black pepper

100 g of black pepper contains 12.5 g of water, 25.3 g of fiber, 10.4 g of protein, 38.6 g of carbohydrates, 3.3 g of fat, 4.5 g of ash, vitamins: beta-carotene (A) , thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (PP), choline (B4), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), folic acid (B9), ascorbic acid (C), tocopherol (E), phylloquinone (TO); macroelements: phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium; trace elements: fluorine, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, iron.

The calorie content of black pepper is 250 kcal per 100 g of product.

Benefits of black pepper

The beneficial properties of black pepper were highly valued in ancient times. For example, healers of Ancient India used it to treat coughs, sore throats, flu, asthma and as a pain reliever. And the ancient Greek doctors Hippocrates, Democritus and Pliny the Elder described the benefits of black pepper in their works.

Black pepper has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, restorative, bactericidal, anthelmintic, expectorant and diuretic effect. It increases stress resistance and improves the functioning of the cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine and respiratory systems.

Pepper contains an alkaloid called capsaicin, which gives it a characteristic burning taste, and also stimulates metabolism, stimulates appetite, restores the functioning of the pancreas and stomach, thins the blood, preventing the formation of blood clots, and lowers blood pressure.

Harm of black pepper

It is not recommended to use this product in case of individual intolerance. Black pepper can also cause harm in cases of stomach and duodenal ulcers, acute inflammation of the kidneys and bladder, anemia, and after operations on the intestines and stomach.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

Composition of ground red pepper: carbohydrates (29 g), proteins (12 g), ash substances (6.6 g), fiber (27.5 g), fatty acids (18 g). The pungent taste of the spicy aroma is provided by essential oils (1.6%) and the phenolic compound “capsaicin”. The spice is enriched with carotenoids, mineral elements and vitamins (B, PP, C, K, E, A). It is the leader among hot seasonings in terms of the presence of potassium (1016 mg).

How does pepper affect the body?

The benefits of red pepper include improved digestion, stimulation of the pancreas and intestines. When consumed, the production of gastric enzymes increases, which contribute to the digestion of food, the breakdown of fats, and appetite suppression, which is important for weight loss and weight correction.

The beneficial properties of ground pepper include increased blood circulation, cleansing of blood vessels, and increased tone. The spice has bactericidal, antispasmodic, warming, and antioxidant effects. Studies of the effects of red pepper on the body have revealed the ability to stop the development of infectious diseases, some types of cancer, and improve the condition of joints, blood vessels, and mucous membranes. Proven beneficial effects on vision, brain activity, nervous and respiratory systems.

How to choose correctly

Red peppers have an intense red-orange or red color. When dry, it has virtually no aroma. It is advisable to buy in sealed packaging, with the production date indicated. When purchasing in bulk, it is important not to confuse it with hot pepper; cayenne spice has a lighter color of pale gray-yellow shades.

Storage methods

At temperatures above +40, ground pepper quickly loses color, aroma and beneficial properties. From the date of production, the product is stored for 12 months. Requires an airtight container, a cool place and no moisture.

What does it go with in cooking?

Red pepper is added to ready-made dishes or during cooking (5-7 minutes before the end of the process). Used for vegetable, meat and sausage products. Pairs with fish, seafood, pork, beef, duck. Used to create pates, sauces, gravies.

As a flavoring seasoning, it perfectly complements potato, rice, chicken, and fermented milk dishes. In sauces, red pepper is harmonious with tomatoes, garlic, onions, red wine, and vinegar. Ground pepper is served on the table as an independent seasoning.

Healthy combination of products

Many nutritionists claim that crushed red pepper helps you lose weight. Recent research published in the British Journal shows that capsacin in red pepper not only suppresses appetite during a meal, but also acts for 3-4 hours afterward, a property that is especially valuable when following restrictions. The ability to speed up food digestion, activate the gastrointestinal tract and metabolic processes contributes to weight loss.

Ground pepper is useful to add to vegetable salads, side dishes, and first courses. It is important to observe dosed use: the consumption rate ranges from 0.01 g to 0.2 g per serving (at the tip of a knife). Exists simple method for losing weight– add a little red pepper to your daily evening serving of kefir, and after a week you will notice the result. To give energy and burn calories, combine with cinnamon and add it to hot coffee.

Contraindications

Chronic diseases, periods of exacerbations of the gastrointestinal tract, allergies to spices, tendency to heartburn, inflammation of the gastric mucosa.

Application in medicine and cosmetology

The properties of ground red pepper are used as an effective remedy for the treatment of psoriasis, arthritis, diabetic neuropathy, and sensory disorders of nerve fibers. Prescribed to stimulate the secretion of gastric juice, improve digestion, eliminate negative disorders in the tissues of the intestines and stomach.

Ground pepper is recommended for nasal congestion, constipation, poor circulation, and numbness in the extremities. Used as an analgesic, antibacterial, hemostatic agent. To reduce pain in the joints and spine, make a warming ointment from a pinch of pepper and sunflower oil. Warming compresses are prepared using pork fat and pepper powder for bronchitis, gout, and radiculitis. Alcohol tincture is used to treat colds and diarrhea, and is used in the treatment of fainting conditions and diabetes. Add to toothpaste for periodontal disease and bleeding gums.

In cosmetology, ground red pepper is a popular component of anti-cellulite preparations. Pepper tincture is used in applications to eliminate fat deposits on the hips and abdomen. To strengthen hair, use alcohol tincture in the form of warm compresses. To activate hair growth, milk-oil masks are made with ground pepper.