What are the benefits of black pepper? The benefits and harms of ground pepper: how to use it correctly

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

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, the shrub climbs up, wrapping around the 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 flowering, the plant produces round fruits that are initially green, and then turn yellow or red.

The length of the brush is up to 14 centimeters, which can contain 20-30 drupes. To get black pepper, the fruits are harvested unripe, and already during drying under the sun they turn black and wrinkle. 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, but more aromatic and also a success in cooking.

In India, black pepper has been grown since ancient times, it was well known in ancient Egypt, China, Rome and Greece. In the Middle Ages, pepper was highly valued and widely used in European cuisine, despite its high cost. In those days, the supply monopoly belonged to merchants from Venice and Genoa. After that, the Portuguese, and even later, the Dutch, appropriated the right to supply pepper to Europe.

To date, the largest producer of pepper is 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 tropical countries.

The 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 exhales 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.

The 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); macronutrients: 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.

The benefits of black pepper

The beneficial properties of black pepper were highly valued in ancient times. For example, ancient Indian healers 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 writings.

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

The composition of pepper includes an alkaloid called capsaicin, which gives it a characteristic burning taste, and also stimulates metabolism, stimulates appetite, restores the pancreas and stomach, thins the blood, preventing the formation of blood clots, 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 stomach and duodenal ulcers, acute inflammation of the kidneys and bladder, anemia, after operations on the intestines and stomach.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

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

The Secret to 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 in Asia, and only then came to Europe. The popularity of black peas with a specific spicy smell grew at an incredible rate and soon black pepper was already known on all continents.

Today, the cultivation of this crop is mainly carried out in regions with a tropical climate. This business is well organized in such countries as Indonesia and Brazil. Also, suppliers of black pepper to many countries of the world are small island states in the Pacific and Indian Ocean. The economy of these countries is based on the pepper trade.

What is a plant

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

But dry peas, unlike ground peppers, are not as 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 it is less pungent in taste;
• red - this is the sharpest variety, which is obtained from well-ripened fruits;
• green - these are fresh fruits, also often used in culinary practice.

Important point! The sharpness of black pepper and its taste characteristics largely depend not only on the variety, but also on the country that delivered the goods. Indian pepper is considered especially hot.

Composition of black pepper

Seasonings and spices are a must for 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 therapeutic effect is due to the fact that pepper contains a lot of useful substances:

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

In minimal doses, proteins and fats are present in the seasoning. This health benefit kit can provide a range of properties that help manage disease.

Pepper - useful and effective

The ability of black pepper to have a healing effect makes it the most useful of all seasonings. 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;
• due to the ability to thin the blood, prevents the formation of blood clots;
• lowers cholesterol levels;
• stimulates sexual activity.

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

What diseases can pepper be used for?

All the qualities listed here allow us to consider ground black pepper as an effective treatment for such 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, it can be used to effectively resist such insidious diseases as a stroke or heart attack. It has a positive effect on the immune system, and its specific aroma does not allow a viral infection to penetrate into the body.

Ways to use

In culinary business, black pepper is widely used in any form: as part of mixed seasonings, in the form of peas, ground. Its bright smell remains for a long time. Pepper is especially good when added to meat and fish dishes. Improving the taste of food, it imperceptibly has a huge benefit to the body. Given 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. Indeed, in order to “eat” as many as 100 grams of pepper, it will take years.

For medical purposes, pepper is used mainly in the form of a component additive to herbal or other formulations.

Outdoor use

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

weight loss with pepper

According to diet experts and experimenters in this field, it is easy to lose weight if you drink a glass of kefir on an empty stomach every morning with a pinch of pepper dissolved in the drink. They say that in such a simple way it is possible to 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. Alcohol tincture on whole black pepper, that is, peas, helps to get rid of pain in sciatica and arthrosis. And, if you regularly add spice in any form to food, this will help to eliminate white spots in vitiligo.

All of these properties make ground pepper indispensable 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 refuse it for people who:

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

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

Video: the benefits and harms of black pepper

Black pepper- These are the dried fruits of a climbing perennial shrub. This shrub reaches a length of up to fifteen meters, its vines entwine all the other trees, more strengthened in the soil (see photo). As they ripen, round yellow and red fruits appear. They are further dried in the open sun, crushed and get the most common spice, which is used in almost every corner of the globe. This plant is also called the "Malabar berry", thanks to the name of the Malabar Islands, which are the place of natural growth of this plant.

Unripe, shriveled and dried fruits look like small black peas, which is why he got the name "black peppercorns". Initially, this type of spice began its journey from the east coast of India, then it penetrated the rest of Asian countries. He conquered Europe back in the days of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. Since then, it has been the subject of a brisk trade between various countries. This type of seasoning was highly valued, and could even be used as a bargaining chip when making various trade agreements. Huge caravans and sea ships delivered black pepper to European countries and at different periods, one after another, countries that established their superiority on the sea route from Europe to Asia established a monopoly on the delivery and sale of spicy black pepper. And only in the middle of the nineteenth - early twentieth century, he gets to America and Africa. Interestingly, it is black pepper that underlies the wealth of America's first millionaires.

Beneficial features

The beneficial properties of black peppercorns are extremely extensive. So, scientists note, it is one of the most powerful and stimulating digestive processes of plants. It perfectly cleanses the entire digestive tract of toxins, removing them from the body. Due to the fact that it is a wonderful remedy for indigestion, metabolic disorders, obesity, black peppercorns for weight loss will become your faithful companion. After all, this additive to your usual dishes activates the consumption and burning of calories.

At the same time, the constant presence in the human diet, this seasoning reduces the likelihood of developing disorders of the cardiovascular system, improves blood circulation and prevents thrombosis.

An interesting fact is that this seasoning contains three to four times more ascorbic acid than the most famous citrus fruit, the orange. In addition, the fruits of this plant are rich in iron, carotene, calcium and B vitamins, vitamin E. It contains pyroline, sugar, chavicin, various enzymes, gums, healthy starches and essential oils. Due to the presence of the latter, it is believed that it is peas that have the richest useful properties than its ground form. After all, essential oils disappear very quickly when milled. Therefore, most researchers recommend purchasing black pepper in the form of peas, and grinding it before use to get the most benefit from this seasoning.

Use in cooking

The use of black peppercorns in cooking is common in cuisines around the world. This versatile seasoning is used in almost every section of the kitchen art, for all kinds of dishes.

So, for example, first courses, various soups, borscht and broths will become much richer, more aromatic and tastier if, at the beginning of cooking, you throw a few whole peas of black pepper into the water.

Any kind of salads can be considered the best friends of this seasoning, only there it is used in ground form. Various main courses: fried, boiled, baked almost always contain this ingredient in the recipe. It is impossible to imagine the production of sausages, sausages and other meat delicacies without black pepper.

When preparing a marinade, canning and salting various foods, the use of this seasoning has two goals:

• Improving the taste of prepared products.
• Increase the shelf life of blanks.

There are even dessert recipes in which the participation of this flavor is considered mandatory. So, for example, classic recipes for making Russian gingerbread, Baltic cookies necessarily contain it in their composition. In addition, drinks containing a spicy component are popular: tea, coffee, cocktails.

This seasoning can be stored in your kitchen for quite a long time in the form of peas in a hermetically sealed container. And for grinding, use a mortar or culinary grinder. Then the aroma and taste of this product will be as rich as possible in your culinary masterpieces.

If you can’t imagine a single dish without this wonderful seasoning, then you can completely get it yourself at home. And in this case, you will be confident in the quality of the product used. Knowing how black peppercorns grow in nature, you can easily get the highest quality crop in your area and even on your windowsill.

And it is not even necessary to buy seeds in a professional flower shop. After all, when harvesting, black pepper is not subjected to any other processing other than drying, which means that you can use exactly those peas that you buy in a store or supermarket.

Soak the peas for a day in water, and then you can plant the resulting seeds already in a container with soil to obtain seedlings. It is best to start growing this plant in early summer. After all, the required temperature is 25-30 degrees Celsius.

The resulting seedlings should be moved to a permanent place of "life". Remember to feed your pet periodically. In no case do not forget about watering, which must be done with water at room temperature. This plant loves open, lighted areas. But you should not expose it directly to the sun's rays, because in this case there is a high probability of a burn.

Black pepper is a perennial plant. With proper care, it can reach a height of two meters and even higher. Therefore, be sure to provide this vine-like shrub with the necessary supports. In the second year of life, it will already be possible to harvest. Only green unripe fruits should be collected, which must also be dried under the hot open rays of the sun to a black color and wrinkled peel.

Black pepper benefits and treatment

The benefits of black peppercorns have been known since ancient times. So in ancient India, doctors used it as an anti-inflammatory and cleansing medicine for the whole body.

And modern researchers have found that:

• Piperine, which is contained in large quantities in spices, significantly increases the body's ability to obtain useful substances, minerals and vitamins from food. It contributes to a more active production of such necessary "hormones of happiness" serotonin and endorphin.
• External use of tincture of seasoning helps to cope with many skin diseases, including vitiligo.

In addition to the above, black peppercorns are effective as a remedy for:

There are a great many recipes of traditional medicine, rooted in the wisdom of ancient healers, which have black peppercorns in their composition. This is what proves the great benefits that this useful plant can bring to our body, restoring health and strengthening all vital processes.

The harm of black peppercorns and contraindications

There are certain diseases in which you should limit the use of this product, and even completely exclude it from your diet:

• Allergy to the product.
• Anemia.
• Ulcer of the stomach and duodenum.
• Acute inflammatory processes of the stomach, bladder and kidneys.

And remember that, like any product, black pepper can not only benefit, but if used and used unreasonably, cause some discomfort and even harm human health. Therefore, you should not thoughtlessly use this spice, even if you have iron health.

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Classmates

The evergreen liana (Piper nigrum L.) grows in the tropics of India. Dried unripe fruits of it - this is the well-known spice "black pepper". The best peppers are hard, dark, heavy. Black peppercorns have a very long shelf life. But ground pepper can be stored for no more than three months (the aroma is lost), so it is better to grind it yourself as the need arises.

In addition to culinary benefits, black pepper also has medicinal properties. The chemical composition of black pepper is still poorly understood. The burning taste of pepper is determined by the glycoside piperine. Also found in it are vitamins E, C, starch, essential oil.

For which organs is the benefit of black pepper undeniable?

• First, for the digestive system. Pepper helps the stomach to digest food, as it promotes the release of hydrochloric acid. Improves bowel function, helps to get rid of toxins and intestinal gases. It is an antimicrobial agent, cleanses the body of worms. Black pepper accelerates the absorption of nutrients from food and medicines. Piperine enhances the penetration of amino acids through the intestinal walls into the blood, increasing the digestibility of food during its passage through the intestines. Ayurveda recommends taking three peas of black pepper a day after meals for two to three weeks every year to cleanse the gastrointestinal tract. For those who dream of losing weight, information that black pepper has a destructive effect on fat cells will be interesting.
• Secondly, for the cardiovascular system. The benefits of black pepper in reducing the risk of heart disease have long been known. Black pepper promotes blood thinning, cleanses blood vessels, including those of the brain. The load on the heart decreases, which means that the likelihood of a heart attack and stroke decreases.
• Thirdly, it cleans the respiratory organs very well, reduces the formation of mucus and removes it. Together with honey, it is used as an expectorant.
  Pepper antioxidants help prevent cancer, cardiovascular disease, and liver disease.
  The ancients said that black pepper enhances the digestive properties of the stomach, increases the energy of the nervous system, helps strengthen muscles.

As you can see, the benefits of black pepper are great. Using pepper in cooking, we strengthen our health.

But harm of black pepper for the body, too, can not be discounted. The thing is that one-sided knowledge about the use of black pepper can lead to its use in large quantities, and in this case, the harm to health is obvious to those who like to understand everything to the end, learning about all known aspects.
Black pepper is a hot seasoning and in any case serves as an irritant for the gastric mucosa. Even an absolutely healthy person may have discomfort in the digestive tract after eating this seasoning.

The harm of black pepper for those who have gastritis or an ulcer can even be critical. The fact is that with the use of pepper and subsequent irritation of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract and stomach, there is a high probability of bleeding, and the consequences of such a reaction can be difficult to predict.

The harm of black pepper is a topic about which very, very little has been said, however, it is known that this seasoning in some cases can have negative effects on the reproductive system, which, you see, is extremely unpleasant. The most unpleasant thing in this situation is that it is sometimes very difficult to find the cause, and until a person finds out that black pepper is the culprit of the "malfunctions", a lot of time passes, and the use of black pepper in food continues. This, of course, cannot but aggravate the already existing poor health.

In order to minimize the harm from eating black pepper, it is necessary to adhere to the rule of measure. Do not use this seasoning in excessive quantities. It is by no means possible to talk about the benefits of black pepper and not to mention its negative properties. Since many people may draw the wrong conclusions and come to the conclusion that the use of black pepper is absolutely safe and you can pour it into your pan in any quantity. I would like to hope that, nevertheless, the majority will study the issue thoroughly and decide for themselves whether or not it is worth adding black pepper to food.

Ground black pepper has another very poetic name - "The Burning Rose of the East." This is one of the very first seasonings that became known. It has a specific taste, it is obtained from the fruits of a liana, which comes from India, an area called Malikhabar. Therefore, you may have heard about varieties such as Malabar and Telecheri, they are considered the best.

Like any oriental spice, black pepper has unique properties that have been considered miraculous and healing since the time of Alexander the Great. The warriors of this great leader preferred to add the product to all dishes.

And among the nobility of ancient Greece and Rome, the spice was worth its weight in gold. Even in Rus', seasoning has become an integral part of culinary art. Today, special plantations have been set aside for it in the coastal parts of Asia, Africa and America. Depending on the geography of origin, several plant varieties are distinguished.

The first fruits can be harvested from vines as early as the third year after planting, after which they are dried and crushed. By the way, all varieties of pepper (green, white, black) are the fruit of the same plant, collected at different times of fruit ripening.

The taste of the product, due to the presence of the nitrogen-containing substance piperine, is very pungent. And the essential oil gives a specific smell, which is especially pronounced during grinding. Therefore, it is not recommended to store the finished product for a long time, because the aroma tends to evaporate.

Beneficial features

The composition of black pepper can be called a concentrate of nutrients. Eit is a real storehouse of vitamins and useful elements, such as vitamin A, C, E, K and the entire group B. You can also find in ground black pepper a certain amount of elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, copper, selenium, zinc and fluorine. As you can see, all these substances are life-forming for the human body.

For this reason, ground black pepper is used not only in cooking, but also in folk medicine, and it shows itself as an excellent medicine.

Black pepper exhibits anthelmintic, anticonvulsant, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can also be used as a diaphoretic and diuretic.

Even in ancient times, the positive effect of this product on the gastrointestinal tract was noted. Thanks to the stimulation of taste buds, it can be recommended for loss of appetite. Even fatigue, stress and depression can be “driven away” by eating ground black pepper. As they say, a well-fed man is a satisfied man. So, if you use ground black pepper, you will simply forget about your bad mood.

Use in cooking

The use of black pepper - the "king of spices" in cooking will help create real masterpieces even from seemingly simple products.

Ground black pepper at home is obtained by grinding dried fruits in a mortar or coffee grinder. Unlike industrial methods of processing spicy peas, this method allows you to get a much more fragrant and aromatic product. Of course, the dish will be tastier and more aromatic with freshly ground pepper, especially since the specific smell cannot be preserved for a long time, and at home you can grind exactly the amount of spice that is needed according to the recipe.

In the food industry, ground black pepper has a very wide range of applications: hard and processed cheeses, ready-made spice mixtures, “dry perfumes” for confectionery, and much more. Yes, and in home cooking it is difficult to find a dish that is prepared without this seasoning: salads, meat, fish, game, cold dishes, soups, sausages, smoked meats, pates.

Pepper goes well with any kind of meat, cereals, seafood, mushrooms, sauces and marinades. It is used even when baking various desserts, as well as in the preparation of cocktails, tea and coffee, which gives them a touch of piquancy.

The benefits of ground black pepper and treatment

The beneficial properties of ground black pepper are manifested not only in the field of cooking. Even in ancient times, Indian healers used it for medical purposes - to treat respiratory problems and as an analgesic. By the way, such Greek scientists as Hippocrates and Pliny the Elder studied the medicinal properties of this spice.

The composition of the spice contains the substance piperine, which gives the very characteristic burning spicy taste that we mentioned earlier. It also stimulates appetite, stimulates metabolism, thins the blood, which helps to avoid the formation of blood clots and lower blood pressure. And essential oils are very useful, showing antibacterial action. It is most useful for the respiratory tract, digestive organs, stimulation of immunity.

Some diseases can be cured at home, simply by using ordinary ground black pepper. By the way, preparations are even created on the basis of this plant, which can be quite officially purchased at pharmacies.

Here are some ways to heal with this natural product:

If you don’t like spiciness in food, but the beneficial medicinal qualities of this seasoning attract you, then you can use the recipe of the ancients and try to make oil from pepper. To do this, you need to pour 300 g of ground powder with almost two liters of water and add 25 g of salt. Leave the mixture in a warm place until fermentation and then separate the oil from the surface of the distillate. It has the same qualities as the pepper itself, but it is devoid of pungency.

The use of black pepper in home cosmetology

The use of pepper in cosmetic home treatments is mainly due to its ability to accelerate blood circulation. And this can have a very positive effect, for example, on hair growth or their restoration in case of loss.

So, to strengthen the hair, you need to mix pepper with salt and onion juice until a liquid slurry is obtained, which must be carefully rubbed into the hair roots and kept for about half an hour. Thus, the hair follicles are significantly strengthened and activated.

Pepper tincture on vodka works in the same way. To do this, 2 tablespoons of powder should be insisted on half a liter of vodka in a dark place for about a week.

Unfortunately, the seasoning does not help to decrease in volume and lose weight. On the contrary, as we have already said, it leads to the excitation of appetite. But pepper can be used to massage against cellulite. With it, you can also remove the "excess" from the waist and buttocks. A 15-day course will give very noticeable results.

Harm of ground black pepper and contraindications for use

The harm of eating black ground pepper as a food product exists. However, most often the consequences occur due to excessive use, which can lead to irritation of the mucous membrane. Therefore, in the presence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, you should be very careful about your diet, especially with regard to spices and spices.

Contraindications for use black ground pepper are also such diseases:

• inflammation of the genitourinary system;
• anemia;
• allergic reactions;
• high sensitivity of the nervous system;
• eye diseases.

Despite the presence of contraindications, it can be said that ground black pepper is still a very useful component of our diet and a drug that has a very large field of application.