Pepper nutritional value

The king of spices

Not a random name for black pepper. It does not belong to the herbs but to the spices, offering flavor, but also many nutrients to the body.

It is known since antiquity, while it originates from the evergreen forests of southern India. It belongs to the Piperidae family, known by the scientific name Piper nigrum. It is a perennial climbing plant which after the 4th year of ripening begins to produce the fruit, a small round fruit that each fruit encloses a single seed inside.

You will find on the market various types of pepper, pink, red, black, white, green. You should know before buying that this is the same product which is collected at different maturation stages and dried in different ways.

Pepper has a strong characteristic aroma, due to the oils it contains such as piperine. It is important to buy whole peppers instead of grated ones, as the oils along with the aromas evaporate very easily and quickly.

In general, it is a spice with many nutrients, which in turn provide the corresponding healing properties, most importantly the heating, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and strengthening of the digestive system.

More specifically, pepper is a rich source of energy, protein and fiber. Very important source of minerals and trace elements, in order of content, iron, manganese, copper, magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus and zinc. While it does not lag behind in vitamins, with very high levels of vitamin K, followed by vitamin C, vitamin E, significant percentages of B vitamins and vitamin A. In addition, pepper contains flavonoids, polyphenols, carotenoids, zeaxanthin and lycopene.

Many of the nutrients of pepper are still present in its precious essential oil!

Pepper when bought whole, can be stored at room temperature for many years without spoiling. Powdered pepper, if you want to keep its properties, should be stored in the refrigerator. But still it will not keep the intense aroma and properties for more than 2 months.

The use of pepper is not limited, as it can be used in cosmetics, cooking, confectionery and beverage. In fact, in the past, pepper was considered sacred, and had been used as a currency, while it was considered more valuable than gold.

Caution: do not overdo the use of pepper in cooking as it can irritate the digestive system. It should also be avoided by people with ulcers of the stomach, esophagus or the digestive system as a whole, or if they suffer from a particularly acidic environment in the stomach.

Read about the healing properties of pepper and the cosmetic uses of pepper!