Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverviewSide EffectsInflammationFoods to AvoidWhen to Get Help
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Overview
Side Effects
Inflammation
Foods to Avoid
When to Get Help
Black pepper (Piper nigrum) allergy is possible but rare. The protein in black pepper that triggers allergic reactions is called piperine.A reaction occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies piperine as a harmful substance and releases chemicals calledhistaminesin response. If you regularly feel sick after eating black pepper, a healthcare provider can help you figure out why.
Black pepper allergy can result in a range of symptoms. Some people develop mild skin reactions, like itching andhives. Others develop gastrointestinal issues like nausea or diarrhea. Severe allergic reactions to black pepper can lead toanaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition that can cause swelling in airways, difficulty breathing, fainting, or worse.
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Can You Be Allergic to Black Pepper?
Yes, you can be allergic to black pepper.
Black pepper allergy is far less common than otherfood allergies, like nuts, shellfish, or dairy. As such, data on how many people have it is limited.
With that being said, the prevalence of food allergies is rising around the world, affecting about one in 13 children in the United States.
Why Does Black Pepper Make Me Sick?Black pepper might make you feel sick if you are allergic or sensitive to it. Black pepper is a strong spice. Eating too much of it can irritate the intestinal lining and may cause upset stomach and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
Why Does Black Pepper Make Me Sick?
Black pepper might make you feel sick if you are allergic or sensitive to it. Black pepper is a strong spice. Eating too much of it can irritate the intestinal lining and may cause upset stomach and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
Food allergies can cause symptoms in the respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular systems, or skin. Allergic reactions can range from mild to serious, so knowing the signs is important.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to black pepper might include:
The most serious symptom of a food allergy is anaphylaxis. This severe immune reaction can affect multiple parts of the body, impair breathing, and send the body into shock.
Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical treatment as it can be life-threatening. Most symptoms will begin within a few minutes to several hours of eating an allergenic food and can become life-threatening within seconds.
Signs of anaphylaxis include:
If you or someone around you develops signs of anaphylaxis, call 911 immediately.
Is Black Pepper a Histamine?
Is Black Pepper Inflammatory?
An increasing body of research shows that black pepper, and more specifically, piperine, boasts potent anti-inflammatory andantioxidantproperties.
Piperine could be helpful for some conditions that cause inflammation, like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Research shows it might block certain enzymes that lead to inflammation, which can help reduce pain and swelling.
While there is some evidence that large quantities of black pepper can irritate the colon, piperine actually appears to have a protective effect that could inhibit the growth ofcolon cancercells.
This doesn’t mean that black pepper can’t cause inflammation in those who are sensitive or allergic to it. Any time someone with a food allergy eats their trigger food, the immune system’s reaction will cause inflammation.
Who Should Avoid Black Pepper?Avoid black pepper if you have signs of allergy or inflammation after eating it. People who are sensitive to spices or who haveinflammatory bowel disease(IBD) may also benefit from avoiding black pepper.
Who Should Avoid Black Pepper?
Avoid black pepper if you have signs of allergy or inflammation after eating it. People who are sensitive to spices or who haveinflammatory bowel disease(IBD) may also benefit from avoiding black pepper.
If you have a black pepper allergy, you’ll need to avoid black pepper completely. Black pepper is often sold as a standalone seasoning. It is also included in many prepared spice mixes, like taco or poultry seasonings.
Additionally, black pepper is frequently found in packaged foods, such as:
Black pepper is almost as common as salt in food preparation. To ensure your safety, always check ingredient labels on packaging to identify any hidden sources of black pepper.
When eating out at restaurant, mention your black pepper allergy to the server to ensure your meal is prepared without it. You should also ask the server to have your meal prepared with clean, uncontaminated tools and equipment.
Can You Get Rid of a Pepper Allergy?
When to See a Healthcare Provider
It’s always a good idea to speak to your healthcare provider when you’re concerned about your health. If you’re having new or unusual reactions to foods or ingredients, even if they’re mild, your healthcare provider can help evaluate the cause and provide appropriate management options. This is especially true if your symptoms are severe or worsening, as it could indicate a need for EpiPen access and preparedness.
If you experience severe side effects after eating black pepper, like trouble breathing, dizziness, or symptoms of shock, call 911 for immediate medical attention.
Summary
Black pepper allergy is uncommon but can lead to serious side effects for some people. If you experience unusual symptoms after consuming black pepper, consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Managing black pepper allergy can be challenging due to the ingredient’s prevalence in many foods. Be vigilant about reading ingredient labels and inform anyone preparing your meals of your allergy to ensure your safety.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Newerli-Guz J, Śmiechowska M.Health benefits and risks of consuming spices on the example of black pepper and cinnamon.Foods. 2022 Sep;11(18):2746. doi:10.3390/foods11182746Wong G.Food allergies around the world.Front Nutr. 2024 Jun;11(1):1-5. doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1373110Ul-Haq I, Imran M, Nadeem M, Tufail T, Gondal T, Mubarak M.Piperine: A review of its biological effects.Phytother Res. 2020 Sep;35(2):680-700. doi:10.1002/ptr.6855Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Food allergies.Stojanović-Radić Z, Pejčić M, Dimitrijević M, et al.Piperine-A major principle of black pepper: A review of its bioactivity and studies.Appl Sci. 2019;9(20):4270. doi:10.3390/app9204270American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Food allergy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Anaphylaxis.Baito Q, Jaafer H, Mohammad T.Piperine suppresses inflammatory fibroblast-like synoviocytes derived from rheumatoid arthritis patients Via NF-kB inhibition.Cell Immunol. 2023 Oct;391-392. doi:10.1016/j.cellimm.2023.104752AbouAitah K, Stefanek A, Higazy I, et al.Effective targeting of colon cancer cells with piperine natural anticancer prodrug using functionalized clusters of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles.Pharmaceuticals. 2020 Jan;12(1):70. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics12010070
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Newerli-Guz J, Śmiechowska M.Health benefits and risks of consuming spices on the example of black pepper and cinnamon.Foods. 2022 Sep;11(18):2746. doi:10.3390/foods11182746Wong G.Food allergies around the world.Front Nutr. 2024 Jun;11(1):1-5. doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1373110Ul-Haq I, Imran M, Nadeem M, Tufail T, Gondal T, Mubarak M.Piperine: A review of its biological effects.Phytother Res. 2020 Sep;35(2):680-700. doi:10.1002/ptr.6855Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Food allergies.Stojanović-Radić Z, Pejčić M, Dimitrijević M, et al.Piperine-A major principle of black pepper: A review of its bioactivity and studies.Appl Sci. 2019;9(20):4270. doi:10.3390/app9204270American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Food allergy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Anaphylaxis.Baito Q, Jaafer H, Mohammad T.Piperine suppresses inflammatory fibroblast-like synoviocytes derived from rheumatoid arthritis patients Via NF-kB inhibition.Cell Immunol. 2023 Oct;391-392. doi:10.1016/j.cellimm.2023.104752AbouAitah K, Stefanek A, Higazy I, et al.Effective targeting of colon cancer cells with piperine natural anticancer prodrug using functionalized clusters of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles.Pharmaceuticals. 2020 Jan;12(1):70. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics12010070
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Newerli-Guz J, Śmiechowska M.Health benefits and risks of consuming spices on the example of black pepper and cinnamon.Foods. 2022 Sep;11(18):2746. doi:10.3390/foods11182746Wong G.Food allergies around the world.Front Nutr. 2024 Jun;11(1):1-5. doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1373110Ul-Haq I, Imran M, Nadeem M, Tufail T, Gondal T, Mubarak M.Piperine: A review of its biological effects.Phytother Res. 2020 Sep;35(2):680-700. doi:10.1002/ptr.6855Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Food allergies.Stojanović-Radić Z, Pejčić M, Dimitrijević M, et al.Piperine-A major principle of black pepper: A review of its bioactivity and studies.Appl Sci. 2019;9(20):4270. doi:10.3390/app9204270American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Food allergy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Anaphylaxis.Baito Q, Jaafer H, Mohammad T.Piperine suppresses inflammatory fibroblast-like synoviocytes derived from rheumatoid arthritis patients Via NF-kB inhibition.Cell Immunol. 2023 Oct;391-392. doi:10.1016/j.cellimm.2023.104752AbouAitah K, Stefanek A, Higazy I, et al.Effective targeting of colon cancer cells with piperine natural anticancer prodrug using functionalized clusters of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles.Pharmaceuticals. 2020 Jan;12(1):70. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics12010070
Newerli-Guz J, Śmiechowska M.Health benefits and risks of consuming spices on the example of black pepper and cinnamon.Foods. 2022 Sep;11(18):2746. doi:10.3390/foods11182746
Wong G.Food allergies around the world.Front Nutr. 2024 Jun;11(1):1-5. doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1373110
Ul-Haq I, Imran M, Nadeem M, Tufail T, Gondal T, Mubarak M.Piperine: A review of its biological effects.Phytother Res. 2020 Sep;35(2):680-700. doi:10.1002/ptr.6855
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Food allergies.
Stojanović-Radić Z, Pejčić M, Dimitrijević M, et al.Piperine-A major principle of black pepper: A review of its bioactivity and studies.Appl Sci. 2019;9(20):4270. doi:10.3390/app9204270
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Food allergy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Anaphylaxis.
Baito Q, Jaafer H, Mohammad T.Piperine suppresses inflammatory fibroblast-like synoviocytes derived from rheumatoid arthritis patients Via NF-kB inhibition.Cell Immunol. 2023 Oct;391-392. doi:10.1016/j.cellimm.2023.104752
AbouAitah K, Stefanek A, Higazy I, et al.Effective targeting of colon cancer cells with piperine natural anticancer prodrug using functionalized clusters of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles.Pharmaceuticals. 2020 Jan;12(1):70. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics12010070
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