Black pepper – description of the spice. Health benefits and harms

Description

A huge amount of spices and seasonings are used in the world of cooking! And black pepper is arguably the most popular and widely recognized nutritional supplement. Ground black pepper or hot spice peas can be found in almost every kitchen.

This spice gives a piquant “peppercorn” to dishes and adds a special spicy note of aroma to the culinary composition. We know for sure that black pepper will find its place in culinary achievements. But we are interested in the benefits of black pepper for the body! We will tell you about the properties and contraindications of this spice in this article.

Composition and calorie content

Black pepper contains essential oil, a small amount of vitamins (B, C, E) and minerals (calcium, potassium, iron, manganese).

Per 100 grams of product:

• proteins – 10.4 grams;
• fats – 3.3 grams;
• carbohydrates – 38.7 grams.
• The total amount of calories is 251 Kcal.

Black pepper consists of a lot of nutrients. This product contains the following bioactive components and vitamins:

• choline;
• riboflavin;
• tocopherol;
• beta carotene;
• vitamins of group “B”, as well as “C”, “K”, “E”, “PP”;
• folic and pantothenic acid;
• calcium, zinc, copper, iron;
• potassium, selenium, manganese, fluorine;
• cellulose;
• ash.

Any food presented to us by nature itself has useful and not very qualities. We have studied the beneficial properties of black pepper and contraindications. And here’s what we managed to find out.

Black pepper: benefits

Due to the rich content of minerals and vitamins, the product in question is endowed with the ability to have a positive effect on the human body.

It is worth highlighting the following useful properties of black pepper:

• thins the blood, saturates it with vitamins;
• cleans blood vessels and strengthens their walls;
• helps dissolve cholesterol plaques;
• strengthens the immune system, creates a protective barrier against colds;
• helps to stabilize the intestines and digestive tract;
• strengthens the stool, helps to cope with diarrhea;
• helps to increase tissue elasticity;
• helps the breakdown of body fat;
• heals acne, cleanses the skin;
• protects oral tissue and tooth enamel from infections and destruction;
• has a positive effect on mood, forms appetite;
• increases efficiency, smoothes the symptoms of chronic fatigue.

Of course, the pronounced effect of the use of black pepper is not observed in all cases. For example, having tasted a dish to which this spice is added, you will only enjoy the taste and appreciate the attractive aroma. It is likely that this will slightly cheer up! However, there will be no significant changes in overall health. Rather, black pepper has a cumulative effect.

Although there are recipes for traditional medicine, where black pepper plays a major role and is used to obtain a quick and lasting effect. For example, there is a folk remedy for diarrhea based on this spice. There are also recipes for ointments for the back and joints, remedies for colds and headaches. But for the most part, this seasoning serves as a good prophylactic agent that improves organ function and strengthens the body.

Black pepper: benefits and harms for men and women

Especially worth noting is the benefits of black pepper for men! The fact is that the stronger sex appreciates this seasoning for its natural ability to enhance potency. It is a natural remedy to restore and maintain male strength. And black pepper is also a natural aphrodisiac.

It will also be useful for men to know that this spice warms up muscles and helps to reduce pain, eliminate muscle spasm after physical exertion. The ability of pepper to strengthen blood vessels is also valuable for maintaining men’s health.

It is no secret that the modern life rhythm of many men does not contribute to the preservation, but, on the contrary, destroys the health of the heart and blood vessels. Black pepper, with an integrated approach, will help protect and delay the onset of characteristic problems.

Black pepper is good for women too. This spice has a mild antibacterial effect and protects the body from various infections. Ladies will appreciate the influence of this spice on the figure. You can get rid of cellulite and “burn” extra pounds with this seasoning. It will be slow and smooth, but effective. Black pepper helps to maintain youthfulness and beauty of the skin. There are remedies based on this seasoning for hair treatment.

However, if you want to absorb the power of this extraordinary plant, you should not overdo it! It is important to remember that each product can be not only beneficial, but in some situations has a harmful effect on the body. Therefore, it is worth reading the list of contraindications!

Potential harm to black pepper

We’re reviewing a hot flavored spice option! Many people know this peppery, slightly pungent pepper flavor. It is easy to guess that this taste and aroma may not always benefit the body.

Black pepper is harmful:

• with peptic ulcer of the stomach, intestines, duodenum and gastritis;
• hypertension and some diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
• during an exacerbation of chronic allergies;
• with individual intolerance to the product;
• in case of inflammatory processes in the mouth and throat;
• with erosion of the esophagus;
• children under the age of five;
• during pregnancy (if used, then with caution);
• while breastfeeding;
• in case of poisoning.

Any pathological conditions and chronic diseases can impose contraindications to the use of spices. If a person is recommended a diet, do not include spicy and spicy additives in the diet. And, therefore, it is worth giving up black pepper. If you are not sure that you can try this spice due to the existing health features, it is better to consult a specialist!

Is black pepper allowed for children

Any spices should not be given to a child at an early age. This is especially true for hot spices. Although black pepper in comparison with other types of pepper (red, cayenne, etc.) is not so hot, it still has a pronounced “speck” in taste. As it is already clear from the above, the spice has an active effect on many systems of the human body.

Children are not ready for such a bright impact. Their body should be protected. It is not recommended to try black pepper before the baby turns five years old. Upon reaching this age, it is not at all necessary to pepper children’s dishes abundantly, rejoicing in the removed restriction. It is worth trying the pepper with caution, including the smallest amount of it in the children’s diet and carefully observing the reaction of the child’s body.

It is also important to remember that adolescence is often associated with hormonal surges and a host of minor and serious problems at this level. In adolescent children, blood pressure is often unstable and reactions to foods – potential irritants – are increased. Do not get carried away at this time with spicy, peppery food. When identifying characteristic problems, it is worth completely abandoning the use of spices.

How black pepper grows and looks

Black pepper, the benefits and harms of which we have considered in this article, is also of interest in a botanical sense. How many people know that this plant is a vine reaching 15 – 20 meters in length? During the ripening period, cobs appear along the entire length of the liana, inside which there are up to 30 peppercorns. Black pepper takes a while. At first, the peas have a deep green color. Black pepper becomes in the process of digestion and drying in production.

This spice grows in the rainforests of India. This plant is grown in Vietnam. Also, this plant is distributed in Indonesia, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Africa. Today the spice is cultivated in Russia.

However, amateur gardeners can try to grow black pepper in their own garden. But it should be understood that in more familiar conditions, that is, in countries with a predominantly hot and humid climate, the plant is more quickly and more fully saturated with the necessary microelements and grows full-fledged. In our conditions, it is hardly possible to grow the same pepper as, for example, in India.

What does it look like

Ready for culinary and medicinal use, the pepper looks like shriveled black or dark gray peas. The size of one pea does not exceed five millimeters. The ground form of the spice is also familiar to us. You can easily find bags of ground pepper in almost any grocery store. This is a completely usable product. But peppercorns can be used as a whole or grind with a special device (or manually). Much depends on the purpose of the application and, of course, the recipe.

Culinary trick or as usual

Many chefs know that a very small pinch of black pepper changes the taste of a dish! The aroma becomes brighter and attracts with a piquant appetizing note. You can pepper almost all versions of the first and second courses. Black pepper goes well with cereals, vegetables, herbs. You will be surprised, but this spice is also added to some sweets, drinks, dessert pastries, sauces.

The seasoning not only enhances the taste and adds pleasant notes to the aroma, but also serves as a light preservative. However, black pepper is a safe additive to keep food fresh. There is hardly a kitchen that does not have a stock of black pepper. After all, the spice is recognized and appreciated all over the world. And you shouldn’t deny yourself this tasty and healthy supplement, unless, of course, there are any contraindications.

Shelf life of black ground pepper

When choosing black pepper, pay attention to its smell. The fresher it is, the stronger the smell.

In general, all ground spices cannot be stored for a long time, therefore it is better to buy them in small portions and pour them at home into a glass, hermetically sealed container. It will help preserve flavor and protect against pests.

You should also pay attention to the fact that the ground pepper is completely dry, without any traces of moisture.

Important! Moisture will significantly reduce the shelf life of the seasoning.

Of all the spices, black pepper is the most widely used in cooking. It gives a wonderful aroma to soups, and “warms up” vegetable salads, adds spice to sauce and improves the taste of side dishes. Any dish that we salt automatically receives peppercorns, because this only improves its taste.

Making black pepper

It is produced from the unripe fruits of a plant of the pepper family – tree lianas. The green fruits are plucked, and by drying in the sun or on fire, black peppercorns are obtained. Well, ground peas make up that familiar seasoning, without which almost no dish can do.