Black pepper is often used to spice and flavor various dishes and different types of foods. Black pepper does not cause bloating, but depending upon the ingredients you use, other components of your recipe may be the culprit, such as salt. You may want to limit the amount of black pepper that you use on your food, especially if you have certain conditions such as stomach ulcers.
Black Pepper
Black pepper does not cause bloating, but it can irritate your stomach. This is particularly true if you suffer from peptic or gastric ulcers. Other foods that may irritate the lining of your stomach include chili powder, nutmeg, mustard seed, coffee, tea, alcohol and chocolate. Black pepper may be too spicy for some, which can also lead to heartburn.
Bloating
Salt is the primary culprit of bloating because it causes your body to retain water. Salt is used to enhance flavors and is sometimes used as a preservative. Salt can also make you thirsty, which makes you drink more water and only adds to bloating, according to TeensHealth. Your body naturally retains water when you consume too much salt in order to dilute the mineral. Certain foods---even vegetables that have no salt---can cause you to become bloated. MayoClinic.com reports that cabbage, broccoli, baked beans and even some fruits, such as peaches, apples and pears, can cause bloating and gas. The type of bloating these foods cause aren't related to retaining water, but the gas produced when these foods are digested can cause you to become bloated until your body expels the gas.
Beating the Bloat
To reduce bloating, limit or completely avoid salt whenever possible. Too much salt can lead to other health problems such as hypertension, or high blood pressure, which can cause heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Limit the quantity of gassy foods that you consume. Avoid greasy foods as they can sometimes lead to bloating due to the amount of gas that they cause.
Prevention/Solution
If you develop bloating due to gas, you can reduce gas and decrease bloating. Gas relief drops are sold over-the-counter, which help relieve symptoms of gas such as abdominal pain, discomfort and bloating. Simethicone allows air bubbles to breakdown and is used to relieve stomach gas in babies, children and adults. Diuretics, also known as water pills, can help relieve bloating and water retention. Always follow all medication as directed by product instructions or as instructed by your physician. Taking too many diuretics can cause dehydration, which can lead to serious and dangerous side effects that may require treatment in the hospital.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Bloating, Belching and Intestinal Gas: How to Avoid Them; Mayo Clinic Staff; April 2011
- TeensHealth: Coping with Common Period Problems; Sept. 2010
- "Fitness" Magazine: With a Grain of Salt: Why You May Not Need to Limit Your Sodium Intake; Feb. 2011
- FamilyDoctor.org: Ulcers: What You Can Do to Heal Your Ulcer; FamilyDoctor.org Editorial Staff; Jan. 2011
- Drugs.com: Gas-X (Simethicone) Medical Facts; Dec. 2010
- MayoClinic.com: Diuretics; Mayo Clinic Staff; Dec. 2010
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