Black pepper, and its alkaloid component piperine, have associations with many health benefits, including anti-inflammatory effects and potential cancer-fighting properties.
People have used pepper in traditional medicine for thousands of years, especially in Ayurveda,Trusted Source the traditional Indian system of medicine. Individuals used it mainly for treating menstrual and ear, nose, and throat disorders.
However, consuming too much black pepper can lead to gastrointestinal side effects, so people need to be careful not to use too much.
Keep reading to learn more about black pepper, including nutritional information, the health benefits, and the potential risks.
Nutrition information
The table below shows the amount of nutrients in a teaspoon of ground black pepper, weighing in at 2.3 grams (g)Trusted Source.
| Nutrient | Value |
| Energy in calories | 5.77 |
| Protein, grams (g) | 0.239 |
| Carbohydrates (g) | 1.47 |
| Fiber (g) | 0.582 |
| Sugars (g) | 0.015 |
| Calcium (mg) | 10.2 |
| Iron (mg) | 0.223 |
| Magnesium (mg) | 3.93 |
| Phosphorus (mg) | 3.63 |
| Potassium (mg) | 30.6 |
| Sodium (mg) | 0.46 |
| Zinc (mg) | 0.027 |
| Manganese (mg) | 0.294 |
| Selenium (mcg) | 0.113 |
| Fluoride (mcg) | 0.787 |
| Niacin (mg) | 0.026 |
| Folate (mcg) | 0.391 |
| Betaine (mg) | 0.205 |
| Beta carotene (mcg) | 7.13 |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin (mcg) | 10.4 |
| Vitamin E (mg) | 0.024 |
| Vitamin K (mcg) | 3.77 |
| Vitamin A (mcg retinol activity equivalents) | 12.6 |
Currently, there are no dietary guidelines on how much black pepper a person of any sex or age group should consume.
However, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans: 2020–2025 notes that adding herbs and spices can help add flavor to a dish when a person is attempting to reduce their dietary intake of added sugar, sodium, and saturated fat.
Health benefits
There are several potential health benefits of black pepper for the body and brain, and many of them come from the black pepper compound piperine.
High in antioxidants
Piperine, the plant compound in black pepper, has strong antioxidant properties.
The body creates free radicals, unstable molecules that can damage cells, both naturally and in response to environmental stresses. Excess free radical damage can lead to serious health problems, including inflammatory diseases, heart disease, and certain cancers. . ………………. ………………. Continue Reading ………………. ……………….