Is Black Pepper Bad For You? 7 Possible Side Effects

A few side effects of black pepper might make you think twice before consuming it. Black pepper has been a popular natural remedy for managing several health conditions for centuries. The spice originated in India and is used to enhance the flavor of various dishes and also benefits health in various ways. But taking a look at its side effects you may wonder how is black pepper good for you. However, these effects are related to excessive consumption of black pepper that can upset the stomach and lead to other health issues such as acid reflux (1).

This article examines the side effects of black pepper, its safety, recommended dosage, and any potential drug interactions. Scroll down.

Know The Flip Side: Black Pepper

Short-Term Effects
Burning of throat and stomach, gastric bleeding, upset stomach, and skin rashes.

Long-Term Effects
May lead to excessive toxicity, cause an abortion, and affect male fertility.

Drug Interactions
May lead to over absorption of antihistamines and drugs that boost liver metabolism. Piperine may also inhibit the action of epilepsy drugs.

When To See A Doctor
If you experience excessive bleeding and burning sensation in the stomach during pregnancy.

What Are The Side Effects Of Black Pepper?

You can consume black pepper in small amounts, but eating too much can cause problems like stomach upset and allergies and even interfere with some medicines. So, it is best to eat it in moderation. Learn more about these possible adverse effects below:

1. Can Cause Gastrointestinal Issues

Studies show that black pepper may cause gastric mucosal injury (1). A subject administered with black pepper showed symptoms of gastric bleeding. The study concludes by stating that the long-term safety of spices (including black pepper) needs further study.

The piperine in black pepper (which is also one of its most beneficial compounds) can leave a sharp, ‘burning’ aftertaste (2). Though this is just a characteristic of black pepper, consuming it in excess can leave a similar burning sensation in your stomach and cause throat irritation. It may also trigger headache, heartburn, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and diarrhea. Varun, a blogger, started taking ginger-lemon-salt-black pepper tea thrice a day to increase his stomach acid levels, but had to deal with heartburn as a side effect. He writes, “The heartburn kept on getting worse. It was aggravated so badly that my throat started hurting from burps. When I would be on an empty stomach, I would get a mild but painful burn. If I would eat something, things would be quiet for a while but would get really ugly soon. This went on for three days. I immediately stopped having tea (i).”

2. May Cause Your Body To Over Absorb Certain Drugs

Black pepper promotes the absorption of certain drugs.

These include those that boost hepatic metabolism and antihistamines that fight allergies (3), (4). But allergic reactions may occur if you have asthma, which could cause coughing, wheezing, and respiratory issues.

Piperine plays the role of a bioenhancer in drug absorption (5). Though this could be beneficial if a medication is poorly absorbed, it may also lead the over absorption of certain medications to dangerously high levels.

3. May Interact With Certain Drugs

The piperine in black pepper can interact with certain coadministered drugs. Though this may lead to benefits in some cases, it can also cause adverse effects (6). This is because piperine can inhibit or stimulate the activity of certain metabolic enzymes and transporters.

Piperine was also found to inhibit the metabolism of carbamazepine (medication used for epilepsy) (7).

The compound also inhibits the activity of CYP3A, an important body enzyme that plays a role in the removal of toxins in the body (8). This attribute of black pepper might lead to the accumulation of harmful toxins in the body.

Research suggests that the piperine present in black pepper may interact with anticoagulants like warfarin (9). If you are on blood-thinning medications, consult your doctor before taking black pepper.

4. May Affect Pregnancy

The scientific community recommends against the use of black pepper during pregnancy. Its pungency can cause a burning sensation to the body of the fetus (10).

In a female mice study, the piperine in black pepper was found to interfere with several reproductive events (11). It also decreased the mating performance and fertility in the mice.

The piperine in long pepper (a different variant of black pepper) was found to inhibit pregnancy by 80% in studies conducted on female rats. The compound may exhibit contraceptive activity, and research recommends against its use during pregnancy and lactation (12).

Piperine might also inhibit uterine contractions in women (13). This can cause issues during delivery or pregnancy.

Trivia

Archaeologists have discovered samples of charred black pepper dating back to 600-700 AD in an ancient port of Mantai in Sri Lanka.

5. May Affect Male Fertility

Piperine may affect male fertility as well.

In a rat study, the compound was found to damage sperm (14). It increased the concentration of harmful radicals in the epididymis (a duct in the male reproductive system where sperm is stored).

6. May Cause Skin Redness

There is limited research on this aspect. A study states that cosmoperine, a compound isolated from black pepper, causes skin reddening due to vascular engorgement (when the vascular tissue fills with blood and other fluids). This is also accompanied by a skin tingling sensation (15).

7. Can Make You Sneeze

This may not be a serious side effect, but it is important to be aware of it. The piperine in black pepper is an irritant. Inhaling the smell of black pepper can irritate the nerve endings in the nasal mucous membrane (16). This causes you to sneeze as the nose wants to excrete the irritant. It may also cause eye irritation if it reaches your eyes.

Apart from the above-mentioned side effects, black pepper may also cause skin rash (17).

Black pepper could be a popular and common ingredient in most dishes. But it is important we know when not to have it – as some of its side effects can be severe.

Fun Fact

In ancient Greece, pepper was used as a holy offering to honor gods and as a currency to pay taxes.

What Is The Safe Dosage Of Black Pepper?

There is no official recommendation on the dosage for piperine. But piperine constitutes 0.4% to 7% of black pepper (18). This means, to take 1 full gram of piperine, you need to consume about six teaspoons of black pepper. This is highly unlikely.

Hence, stick to using black pepper only in normal food amounts.

Infographic: Most Common Side Effects Of Black Pepper

Do you also love adding black pepper to your meal even before you’ve had a bite? Not to scare you, but there are certain side effects of black pepper that you might want to consider before you do that next time. Take a look at the infographic below to find out more!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Reviewer’s Comments

: Black pepper is rich in the compound called piperine, which is responsible for tingling your taste buds and making you sneeze. Black pepper, in amounts usually needed for cooking, can be consumed without the side effects. It is only when it is used in large doses or as supplements in the form of its active compound piperine that one needs to be cautious.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we use black pepper daily?

Yes, you can have about 1-2 teaspoons of black pepper daily. Moderation is key to reap black pepper benefits like cold relief and improved digestion.

Is black pepper good for the liver?

Yes, in moderate quantities. Black pepper contains piperine that improves liver function (19).

Is black pepper hot or cold?

According to Ayurveda, the spice black pepper is considered to be hot in nature and increases the body’s internal temperature. It increases the Pitta dosha and decreases the Vata and Kapha doshas.

Is black pepper bad for your joints?

Possibly not. A study showed that piperine, an important constituent of black pepper, has anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antiarthritic effects, which can help ease arthritis (18).

Can black pepper cause constipation?

Possibly not. A study showed that piperine has the ability to stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes and boost the digestion rate in the gastrointestinal tract (19).

Are there any age restrictions or considerations for using black pepper?

Children, the elderly, pregnant and lactating women, along with those with a sensitive gut or facing digestive disorders should limit their intake of black pepper, as the spiciness may irritate their gastrointestinal tract.

Illustration: Is Black Pepper Bad For You? 7 Possible Side Effects

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn from a doctor about the good and bad effects of black pepper. Understand in the following video what science has to say about this everyday spice.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Neelanjana SinghRD

   

Neelanjana Singh has over 30 years of experience in the field of nutrition and dietetics. She created and headed the nutrition facility at PSRI Hospital, New Delhi. She has taught Nutrition and Health Education at the University of Delhi for over 7 years.

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Ravi Teja TadimallaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a Co-Editor-in-Chief and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over a decade. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Sindhu KogantiSenior Health & Wellness Writer

Sindhu Koganti is a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach and has over 6 years of experience in writing on health and wellness topics. She has a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy.

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