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black pepper
Herbs & Spices
Trigger checker for black pepper
See black pepper rated across every trigger — FODMAP, histamine, salicylate, oxalate, tyramine and more — plus diet compatibility, all in one quick ingredient profile.
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Compare black pepper across criteria
Sensitivities
What black pepper contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where black pepper fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about black pepper
Black pepper is the seasoning people are surprised to see flagged, because it seems too small to matter. The real issue is that it is rated high in salicylates, so even a light grind adds up if you are salicylate sensitive. It also gets grouped with nightshades on AIP diets and removed early, even though black pepper (Piper nigrum) is not botanically a nightshade at all.
Watch for
- Rated high in salicylates, so it can contribute to headaches, itching or flushing in salicylate-sensitive people even in small pinches
- Excluded early on AIP protocols as a seed-based spice, which is why it is often lumped in with the nightshades
- Commonly mistaken for a nightshade, but it is Piper nigrum from the pepper vine, unrelated to bell peppers, chili or potato
- Easy to overlook because it is added by habit to almost everything, so it hides in restaurant and packaged food
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FAQ
What does the FODMAP rating mean for black pepper?
Medium FODMAP: portion size matters more than the ingredient itself.
Is black pepper generally well tolerated?
Salicylates (High) and Spicy Foods (Moderate) Start with those if you react.
What should I check next?
Compare within the Herbs & Spices group.