What is piperine good for?
Black pepper is a staple seasoning found in practically every culture and cuisine across the globe, however its piperine content is only approximately 5-10%, and even then it is used relatively sparingly during the cooking and seasoning process, so in order to take full advantage of piperine, it must be extracted and taken in concentrated form as a supplement.
One popular patented formulation of piperine extract is Bioperine, which is composed of over 95% piperine in a highly bioavailable form, and is often the formulation of choice for many supplement manufacturers.
Piperine for increased absorption
Perhaps piperine's main claim to fame is its ability to increase the human body's ability to absorb curcumin.
Curcumin, when taken on its own, is difficult for our body to absorb properly, but some studies report an increase of around 2,000% in curcumin absorption when it is taken together with piperine.
Other compounds and nutrients that are also documented to have an increased absorption when in the presence of piperine include beta-carotene, resveratrol, selenium and taurine.
Piperine for inflammation
Research has looked at piperine and inflammation, including at several markers of inflammation that affect the brain and spinal cord.
Several animal and in vitro studies have also looked at piperine, skin cells exposed to ultraviolet radiation, and inflammation that is associated with arthritis.
Piperine for brain health
Piperine's role in inflammation research also extends to the brain, as inflammation in the brain features in many neurological and cognitive conditions.
One such example is an animal study that looked at piperine and inflammation in the brain cells of rats with Parkinson's disease, and another study did the same in mice with Alzheimer's disease.
Furthermore, piperine is studied in relation to the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, which is one reason multiple sclerosis appears in that research.
When should I take piperine?
Piperine is generally best absorbed on an empty stomach, at least two hours since the last meal and at least 30 minutes before the next meal, however if you are taking piperine for its synergistic effects with other nutrients, such as curcumin or resveratrol, then you can simply take it together, whenever you are due to take the main supplement. That said, usually they already come with piperine included, to save you the trouble.
What does piperine combine well with?
Piperine with curcumin, quercetin or resveratrol, taken together, for increased absorption
Piperine is known to significantly increase absorption for a variety of compounds, and as a result is often paired with these compounds in their supplemental formulations to maximize bioavailability, often in the form of Bioperine, which is a patented formulation of piperine.For example, curcumin's absorption is reported to increase by around 2,000% when in the presence of piperine, and the absorption of resveratrol has been observed to increase by over 1,500%.
Piperine with beta-carotene or selenium, taken together, for increased absorption
Piperine is studied for its effect on the transporters and enzymes that limit how much of a nutrient survives your gut wall, and its absorption-increasing effect has been observed with beta-carotene and with selenium.What else pairs well with piperine?
Also taken with taurine, for cardiovascular health
Research has looked at piperine combined with taurine, and at plaque formation and inflammation in blood vessels, including in atherosclerosis research.This same combination has also been studied in relation to cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, and levels of gut microbiota.
What are natural sources of piperine?
If you are interested in obtaining your daily piperine through your diet, you can often find it in:
Black pepper's natural piperine content is not much higher than 10%, and black pepper is only added in minimal amounts to our food, so a piperine supplement concentrates far more of it than seasoning alone.
Possible side effects of piperine
Possible side effects from taking piperine supplements may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Burning gut
If you are experiencing negative side effects from taking piperine supplements, stop taking them immediately and reach out to your trusted healthcare professional.
Drug interactions with piperine
The medicines listed below are the ones most often named in interaction reports for piperine, but it is by no means a comprehensive list:
- Anticonvulsants
- Statins
If you are taking any prescription drugs or medication, check with your trusted healthcare professional before taking piperine supplements.
Can I take piperine while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Piperine is the compound that gives black pepper its heat, and it increases the absorption of several nutrients and medicines, but a concentrated capsule has no pregnancy trials, so it is recommended to avoid taking it until further research appears, to be on the safe side.
Remember to always discuss any vitamins or supplements with your trusted healthcare professional while pregnant or breastfeeding, or while attempting to conceive.
Where should I store piperine?
For optimal shelf life, it is recommended to keep piperine supplements stored in the cupboard. Always make sure the bottle or container is tightly closed, and kept away from sources of light, heat and humidity.
Piperine data sources & further reading
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