This article examines the side effects of black pepper, its safety, recommended dosage, and any potential drug interactions. Scroll down.
What Are The Side Effects Of Black Pepper?
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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
- 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. 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
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.
