Black pepper peas: benefits and harms

Black pepper is considered one of the most popular spices. It can be used as a seasoning for almost all main dishes. This spice is great for improving the smell and taste of various meat and fish dishes, cold appetizers and salads. In addition to its widespread use in cooking, this spice is of great benefit to the body. Pepper is a source of minerals and vitamins, many nutritional components.

This seasoning helps to get rid of many diseases, as it is characterized by a number of healing properties. The product is able to eliminate respiratory diseases, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. In India, spice is used in the treatment of almost any pathology. Black pepper is characterized by the ability to kill harmful microbes, so it can be used externally to eliminate dermatological problems.

Where does black pepper come from peas

Useful peas are the fruits of the Piper Nigrum pepper vine. The shrub can reach a length of fifteen meters. The plant is covered with ears of corn, each of which contains approximately 30 peas. What is on store shelves is unripe grains in processed form. According to the technology, the seeds are first boiled, after which the fruits of the pepper are dried. As a result, the peas wrinkle and turn black.

Such a product is sold in the form of grains. And to obtain a ground product, the fruits are cleaned from the outer shell and crushed.

Composition and calorie content

The beneficial properties of black pepper are based on its rich composition. It contains many active substances.

1. Vitamin A is able to maintain visual acuity and eye health. This substance is a strong antioxidant, therefore, helps protect the body from premature aging.
2. Vitamin B1 strengthens the immune system, normalizes the activity of the central nervous system. The substance accelerates the metabolism. In addition, this component helps to activate brain functions.
3. Vitamin B2 is useful for frequent headaches, irritability, deterioration of the health of hair and nail plates.
4. Vitamin B6 provides the best absorption of protein and fats. Pyridoxine protects the body from nervous disorders, and also prevents the development of skin diseases. In addition, the substance helps to alleviate the condition of nausea, reduces pain and cramps in the muscles, improves the condition with numbness of the hands. Also, this vitamin works as a diuretic of natural origin.
5. Vitamin B9 regulates blood pressure, reduces the likelihood of a heart attack and stroke. This element has the ability to improve memory and concentration.
6. Ascorbic acid is responsible for strengthening the immune system, accelerates the healing process after fractures and various injuries. Vitamin C is also the prevention of gum disease.
7. Tocopherol has the ability to lower blood pressure. The substance helps to reduce the risk of developing a tumor and blood clots. Vitamin E has a positive effect on the dermis, hair and nails.
8. Vitamin K provides kidney health, takes part in the formation of the skeleton of children. Also, this element regulates the level of glucose in the blood. In addition, vitamin K has an analgesic property.
9. In black pepper, an alkaloid such as piperine is present. It is this substance that gives an acute taste to all varieties of representatives of the family of peppers. Its features have been used by people since ancient times.This glycoside stimulates the activity of amino acids in the intestinal lumen, as a result of which decomposition products are excreted from the body.
10. Piperine stimulates the synthesis of serotonin and beta-endorphins by the brain. The alkaloid prevents the occurrence of convulsions, provides the production of adrenaline. Also, this component is responsible for the regulation of digestive tract contractions, reduces the level of acidity in the gastric juice. When this substance enters the body, the likelihood of ulcers in the stomach is reduced, the synthesis of digestive system enzymes is improved. Piperine enhances the production of pigment melanin, reduces inflammation that occurs as a result of allergies, and also reduces asthma symptoms.
11. Small peas contain a number of health-promoting micro and macro elements. These include iron, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, fluorine and others.

100 g of black grains contain 251 kcal.

What is useful black pepper peas

General benefit

The fruits of a black plant can have a versatile effect on the human body. The product can increase blood pressure and normalize it for a long period. Spice is a preventive and therapeutic agent for stomatitis, used to strengthen gums. Also, black seasoning prevents tooth decay, strengthens tooth enamel. Black pepper helps to remove excess fluid from the body, having a beneficial effect on the functioning of the kidneys. It provides strengthening of the bladder, eliminates swelling and prevents their appearance.

Black pepper peas have the ability to strengthen hair. For men, the product is useful in that it prevents early baldness.

In addition, the fruits of this plant help strengthen the walls of blood vessels. They thin the blood, allowing the vessels to "breathe." Spice is the prevention of thrombosis.

This product is also useful for the functioning of the digestive system. It can be used for indigestion, the fight against excess weight, obesity. Black spice is also used for both diarrhea and constipation. It is worth noting that the benefits for the digestive tract will come only if there is no ulcer or gastritis.

Teenagers often face the appearance of acne, dermatitis, and seborrhea. You can eliminate such unpleasant problems with black pepper kernels.

For women

For the beautiful half, this spice is a source of youth and beauty. It is widely used for cosmetic purposes to strengthen curls and nail plates. This product copes with diseases of the skin. Of course, he will not be able to give the skin a uniform color, but to eliminate the rashes, redness and acne he can. Girls who are struggling with extra pounds can add a few peas of black pepper in the first dishes, as well as dishes made from meat.

For men

For the male half of humanity, peas of tropical culture are useful in that they are able to enhance potency after forty years. This means that the product is aimed at slowing down age-related changes. If problems with potency arose at an earlier age due to any disease, then in this case the help of specialists in the medical field will be required.

Black pepper grains are useful for athletes. This spice prevents muscle strain, and also helps strengthen joints. Most men, whose body is subjected to physical exertion, experience knee pain, the occurrence of a characteristic crunch during a squat. The fruits of this culture can reduce the manifestation of such symptoms.

During pregnancy

When using this seasoning during gestation, you should be careful. First of all, it is important to follow a certain norm. Add peas of black pepper is necessary in moderation.

If a pregnant woman has gastritis in the acute stage, it is better to refrain from such a spice.

When breastfeeding

During breastfeeding, the norm should also be observed. It is best to completely abandon the use of black pepper with peas during lactation. The body of the infant is very sensitive, and the use of such an acute product can provoke colic in the baby. Therefore, with lactation, this spice should be treated very carefully. Before using it, it is important to consult a doctor.

For kids

For a child's body, black pepper in the form of peas is useful in that it participates in the formation of a strong skeleton. Teeth are also bones. For this reason, the product has a beneficial effect during the growth of molars, strengthening the enamel.

It is recommended to start using this spice in the diet of children from the age of five, however, you should still wait until the child reaches the age of seven. If you do this before the specified period, children may experience problems with the functioning of the digestive tract.

Before you add black pepper with peas in a dish for a child, you should consult with your pediatrician. This must be done without fail.

If after eating pepper-added food, the child complains of discomfort in the stomach, you must give him a little warm milk and honey. This will relieve pain. In the future, it is necessary to limit the use of such a product in baby food.

When losing weight

Black pepper fruits have beneficial properties in obesity and overweight. It often happens that large physical exertion and proper nutrition do not give the desired result. This may be due to the fact that the body cannot fully remove excess fluid, so the volumes remain the same. Pepper will help to cope with this problem.

For example, this component can be used to make a cocktail, which helps to reduce weight. You can use this option only if there are no problems with the stomach. So, you need a quarter teaspoon of chopped pepper and a glass of kefir. To prepare such a mixture is very simple: you just need to grind the grains of pepper, add them to kefir and mix thoroughly. Such a cocktail should be drunk before bedtime, approximately two hours before bedtime.

There is another recipe, which will require a little more ingredients. In this case, you need to mix 100 ml of juice from bell pepper, cucumber and tomato. You will also need a pinch of crushed black pepper fruits. Such a composition should be consumed in the morning. The course of admission should be no more than ten days.

For preventive purposes, add peppercorns to the food. This product is in perfect harmony with meat products, first courses and stewed vegetables.

Of course, pepper alone will not solve the problem of being overweight. It will only help speed up the metabolism, reduce appetite and remove excess fluid from the body.

The use of black pepper in traditional medicine

Black pepper is widely used in recipes designed to treat many pathologies. This spice is an integral part of a large number of recipes used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases.

1. So, at elevated body temperature, which appeared as a result of a cold, you can prepare a tincture, which will require a teaspoon of chopped black pepper fruits and half a glass of water. At the same time, pour the pepper into a container of dark glass and pour it with vodka, heated to 50 degrees. The resulting mixture is insisted for several hours. Filter the finished tincture and take a teaspoon.
2. In case of intestinal upset, two teaspoons of black pepper in a crushed state should be mixed with 40 ml of water and drunk.
3. A dry cough will help to overcome the drink, for the preparation of which you only need to add a couple of teaspoons of the crushed product to warm milk. The mixture should be shaken, after which it can be consumed.Such a medicine should be drunk several times a day.
4. There is another recipe for preparing a dry cough remedy. To get it, you need to take a glass of honey, a teaspoon of black pepper and the same amount of cinnamon. All ingredients must be mixed. To use such a composition should be three times a day, two tablespoons.
5. Colds, rheumatism and neuralgia will help eliminate pepper patch. To obtain it, you need a teaspoon of crushed black pepper, the same amount of honey and flour. All elements must be mixed in a small container until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Apply the resulting mixture to a piece of tissue in an even layer and attach to the affected area. For warming it is recommended to use a blanket. You need to keep such a pepper patch until a slight burning sensation occurs. After this, the patch must be removed and wiped with warm water to remove residual healing composition.

Adding black pepper to food positively affects the activity of the gastrointestinal tract. But along with this, it is useful for the cardiovascular system. The active components that are contained in spices have the ability to thin the blood, cleanse blood vessels. This allows you to reduce the load on the heart and blood vessels, therefore, the likelihood of developing a stroke, heart attack, and the occurrence of varicose veins is reduced.

Pepper is known to have remarkable antioxidant properties, which allows the removal of toxins and gases from the intestines. In folk medicine, the anthelmintic properties of this product are known.

Ayurvedic medical practice recommends every year to cleanse the body for three weeks, using exactly black pepper. For this, throughout the entire treatment period, three peas of pepper should be taken after meals throughout the day. It should be noted that the food should be of plant origin, portions are small. Eat three times a day.

As already mentioned, a plant product is useful in the fight against overweight. This is ensured due to the fact that the chemical composition of the spice leads to the destruction of fat cells. Oil is made from the fruits of this culture, which is used both for internal and external use.

Outwardly, this oil is used for bruising, muscle pain, to eliminate fatigue and relieve muscle tension. In addition, this tool is used to prevent hair loss, treatment of diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Also, black pepper oil is a useful and effective substance for the fight against cellulite. It is used as a tool for body wraps, massage and bath.

Inside, black oil is used to enhance salivation, strengthen the stomach, increase appetite, get rid of body fat, remove toxic substances from the body and cure colds. For these purposes, it is recommended to use three drops of pepper oil added to a glass of water three times a day.

Contraindications to the use of such a product are diseases of the kidneys, liver, and pathology of the digestive system.

Black pepper in cosmetology

A spice such as black pepper is popular even in cosmetology.

1. With seasoning, you can prepare a cleansing face mask. To obtain such an effective scrub, curd with pepper should be mixed in equal amounts until a homogeneous mass with a pasty structure is formed. The resulting mixture must be applied to the face and hold for about 15 minutes. After this, the mask must be washed off with cold water, then you can use a cleansing lotion.
2. When hair loss comes in handy mask, aimed at combating such an unpleasant problem. To prepare such a mixture, it is enough to mix in equal amounts of salt with black pepper and onion juice. This mass must be applied to the hair and hold for about 40 minutes. After the specified time, the composition must be washed off using shampoo.Regular use of such a tool will help make your hair stronger.
3. For hair density, there is another mask, the manufacture of which will require a teaspoon of honey, a pinch of ground spices and a couple of drops of lemon squeeze. All elements should be thoroughly mixed in a container, after melting honey. The mask should be applied directly to the hair roots. To withstand such a mask should be no more than 15-20 minutes. To improve the effect, you can use an additional ingredient in the form of burdock or castor oil. The use of such a tool is recommended no more than twice a week.

Note! Black pepper masks should not be applied to the face if it has wounds or irritation. This can lead to a severe reaction.

Cooking Application

The fruits of black pepper have many useful properties, which allows their use in medicine and cosmetology. But the culinary use of this product is also known. Spice in the form of peas or ground powder is widely used in various dishes. So, it is added to soups, side dishes, sausages, cheeses, salads, cereals, marinades and sauces. In addition, pepper is an integral component of seasoning mixtures; it is added in a small amount to confectionery. Such seasoning can even be added to some drinks, such as tea, coffee and alcoholic cocktails. This will give the drink an unusual taste and will act as a tonic.

So that pepper when added to the dish does not lose its aroma, add it should be a couple of minutes until cooked.

You can grind seasoning grains with a special mortar. The dish can be seasoned with the fruits of a plant in the form of peas, it is not necessary to chop them.

It is not recommended to add a lot of black pepper to food, otherwise it will cause the development of pathologies of the digestive tract.

Spaghetti with cheese and pepper
If there is no need to follow a certain diet, you can use the recipe for cooking spaghetti with cheese and pepper. To do this, you will need 300 g of flour products, a tablespoon of black pepper, peas, a tablespoon of sunflower vegetable oil, cheese and salt. Boil pasta in two liters of water. Grind black pepper in a blender. Next, heat the pan with oil, pour all the pepper into it and pour into the same dishes a ladle of water that has already boiled. Mix the mass thoroughly. Transfer spaghetti into this mixture. Cover the pan and reduce heat. Decorate the finished dish with herbs, add sour cream.

Sauce
You can make the sauce using black pepper. To prepare such a dressing you will need one and a half teaspoons of pepper, half an onion, a few cloves of garlic, a tablespoon of soy sauce and the same amount of brown sugar. An aqueous solution of corn starch and a pinch of salt will also be required.

First you need to chop the onion with garlic. Fry the onions in a pan until golden brown. Next, add garlic to the frying. After that add sugar, soy sauce and black pepper, the peas of which need to be chopped beforehand. Mix the mass thoroughly, add a little water to obtain the necessary consistency. Then prepare a starch solution. To do this, it is enough to use two tablespoons of liquid per teaspoon of starch. The resulting solution is also added to the sauce and mix. Last salt salt.

In the recipe, instead of brown sugar, you can use white, but in this case the dressing will turn pale. After cooking, the sauce can be scrolled in a blender. This will result in a homogeneous mixture.

Harm and contraindications

It is hard to imagine cooking without the use of black pepper.This spice gives the dish a unique aroma and stimulates appetite. Peppercorns prevent the development of thrombosis and diseases of the stomach. But do not abuse such a spice. If you are allergic to any products, it is better to first check the reaction to black pepper by adding it in small amounts to food. If there are no side effects, then the product is safe and you can use it in your diet, but you should still observe the norm.

Gallstone disease, acute forms of gastrointestinal pathologies, kidney and bladder diseases are a contraindication to the use of black pepper peas.

Also, do not add spice to food after surgery. The product has an irritating effect on the mucous membrane, resulting in sneezing, which in turn can cause seams to diverge.

The use of seasoning on an empty stomach is contraindicated. This can burn the gastric mucosa.

Excessive use of black pepper can cause indigestion and lead to heartburn.

How to choose and store

1. You can check the quality of black pepper grains by squeezing the peas between your fingers. Fresh spice flattened and crumbled into small pieces. An oily kernel with a burning aftertaste and pungent aroma should appear.
2. High-quality spice has a pronounced aroma, peas have the same size. If the smell of pepper is poorly expressed, then the product has stale.
3. High-quality black pepper should be intact, have a hard, slightly granular shell.

Often, housewives violate the rules for storing opened packaging of black pepper in the form of peas. At the same time, they simply cut the corner of the packaging and so store the product, maximum, it can be fixed with a paper clip. In this case, the spice dries, the essential oils in its composition disappear, and the pepper itself loses its useful properties. Of course, it is best to acquire spice in special so-called mills. This will cost a little more, but at the same time the only way to be sure of the quality of fresh peas. To preserve the benefits of the product, it is recommended to use glass containers for storage that are hermetically sealed.

The seasoning period is one year. After that, she loses her useful characteristics. It is important to store the product away from sunlight in a dry place.

Interesting Facts

1. In ancient times, the Romans valued black peas in the form of peas so much that they used it to pay taxes instead of coins.
2. It is believed that it was black pepper that caused the discovery of America, since it was in search of this plant and some other cultures that the Columbus expedition was equipped.
3. In ancient times, black pepper grains were used as weights for weighing pharmaceutical products, since special accuracy was important in this area. So, it was believed that a thousand high-quality peas should weigh 460 grams.
4. From ancient times, black pepper has been used to treat various diseases.
5. The first mention of such a product was found in books that were written as early as 16–19 centuries BC.
6. In Sanskrit, culture has the name of one of the names of the sun, which sounds like "marich". Black pepper got this name most likely due to the high content of solar energy. After all, such a culture grows only in the tropics. The plant is an evergreen shrub, the fruits of which are often called "Malambara berries." This is due to the place of their natural growth. The fruits of this creeper are harvested still immature and then dried under the sun.
7. Chopped pepper is capable of losing its useful properties, smell and taste in a short time, therefore it is recommended to store the spice in the form of peas and grind as necessary.
8. The best black pepper spice is made specifically on the Malambar Islands of India.The product of this variety is a dense and heavy peas.
9. In the world there are more than one and a half thousand seasonings made on the basis of black pepper.
10. You can cultivate black pepper in our regions. But for this, only large grains of high quality should be used, the drying of which was carried out in compliance with all the rules and without the use of any chemicals.

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