Can Pepper Seeds Be Consumed?

Pepper seeds are extracted from entire peppers including bell peppers, black pepper, and fiery chilies. You may have heard that pepper seeds have a poor reputation when it comes to spicy peppers. Depending on their tastes, different individuals may make a meal overly spicy.

While there isn’t much study on the nutritional worth of pepper seeds, certain studies have shown them to be high in minerals like potassium and high in protein and linoleic acid. They are likewise high in fiber, however they include anti-natural chemicals like phytic acid and tannins.

So, are pepper seeds edible? You certainly can. Pepper seeds are not harmful, although they may be unpleasant to consume in excessive quantities, particularly bell pepper seeds.

Is Eating Pepper Seeds Safe?

As a pepper enthusiast, you may ask if ingesting pepper seeds is safe for you. They are, indeed. While pepper seeds are not harmful, you may still want to remove them before eating. They are somewhat bitter, but not enough to spoil your food.

Apart from being bitter, they contribute little value to your food, hence most chefs avoid using them. The mouth-feel is the most significant factor to consider. Also, having little, hard pepper seed fragments in your meal might be highly irritating. It’s much worse when it’s mixed with a purportedly smooth meal, such purees or soups.

As a result, you should consider removing the seeds before cooking or filtering them once the meal is finished. This is possible in foods such as soups, sauces, and purees.

If you are concerned about the spiciness of your chilies, the seeds do not contain capsaicin, which adds to the heat of peppers. Capsaicin is found in the white pithy innards of the pepper, also known as the placenta, which you may remove to reduce the heat.

But, since the seeds are coated with oils from the pith, any heat you perceive will be from the placenta rather than the seeds themselves.

Reasons You May Want to Remove Seeds Before or Cooking with Chili Peppers

Even yet, there are a few reasons why you should remove the chili pepper seeds before cooking them.

• Most pepper seeds can have an unpleasant bitter taste which may emit subtle flavors that may affect your recipes. Hotter peppers are rarely used in recipes requiring subtle flavors, as many of them welcome you with a wave of heat. As you cook more and more with peppers and appreciate how nuanced they can be, removing them may benefit the overall flavor.
• When removing the peppers’ pith, which helps reduce the heat, you will end up getting rid of the seeds. Some myths state that removing the pepper seeds helps reduce your final dish’s spiciness, which is inaccurate. The pepper heat resides in the pith, which holds the seeds.
• The most crucial factor that may lead you to remove the pepper seeds before cooking or eating is the texture. In soup, puree, or sauce recipes, you will notice the seeds floating all over your dish. The seeds tend to escape processing hence throwing your smooth dish off balance. 

If you want to make a smooth meal, you may either remove the seeds before cooking. Instead, after processing, strain the finished cooked product to remove the solids, including the seeds.

What are the Benefits of Eating Black Pepper Seeds?

Black pepper belongs to the pepper family, and its seeds are larger than those of chili or bell pepper. When pulverized, the seeds are consumed to enhance flavor to recipes. They are good for your health because they include nutrients like piperine, which protect against cell damage, assist in digestion, and promote nutrient absorption.

Some of the advantages of ingesting black pepper seeds include:

Benefit #1: Black Pepper Seeds Act as a Powerful Antioxidant

According to research, black pepper seeds are a potent antioxidant in your body. They protect cells from free radical damage. They are caused by a poor diet, smoking, or pollution. Black pepper includes anti-inflammatory chemicals other than piperine, such as essential oils and beta-caryophyllene.

Benefit #2: Helps in Boosting Nutrient Absorption

Some nutrients and therapeutic chemicals benefit from the addition of black pepper to their absorption and activity. It also aids in the absorption of beta-carotene, which is turned into vitamin A in vegetables and fruits.

Benefit #3: Helps in Digestion and Prevent Diarrhea

Black pepper seeds aid in appropriate stomach function by stimulating the production of pancreatic and intestinal enzymes that aid in fat and carbohydrate digestion. It also prevents diarrhea by delaying the digestion of meals.

What are the Possible Side Effects of Eating Black Pepper Seeds?

In moderate dosages, black pepper is safe for human ingestion. Yet, there are certain side effects of ingesting a lot of black pepper, such as stomach and throat burning.

As a result, if you want to increase your black pepper consumption or use piperine supplements, consult your healthcare practitioner about potential medication interactions.

Final Thoughts

• Pepper seeds are not toxic though they can be unpleasant when eaten, especially bell pepper seeds when consumed in large amounts in your meal. 
• Pepper seeds are often bitter but cannot cause any harm to your body. However, they do not add any value to your meals, which is why most chefs take them out while cooking.
• There are numerous reasons why you should remove pepper seeds before cooking. They include the fact that they are bitter and may interfere with the texture of smooth dishes.
• Black pepper seeds provide several health benefits, such as acts as a powerful antioxidant, boosts nutrient absorption, help in digestion, and prevents diarrhea. 
• Large consumption of black pepper seeds may affect you negatively by causing burning sensations in your stomach and throat.