Why should Black Pepper be added to Turmeric Curcumin Capsules

Turmeric, also known as the golden spice, is a tall plant that grows in Asia and Central America.

It gives curry its yellow color and has been used in traditional Indian medicine for thousands of years to treat various health conditions.

Studies support its use and show that it can benefit your health.

But coupling turmeric with black pepper may enhance its effects.

This article reviews the potential health benefits of combining turmeric and black pepper.

Curcumin in Turmeric

The key compounds in turmeric are called curcuminoids. Curcumin itself is the most active ingredient and appears to be the most important.

As a polyphenol, curcumin has several advantages to health. It’s a strong antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties (1, 2).

However, one of the greatest downfalls of curcumin is that it’s not well absorbed in the body (1).

Piperine in Black Pepper

Black pepper contains the bioactive compound piperine, which is an alkaloid like capsaicin, the active component found in chili powder and cayenne pepper (3).

Piperine has been shown to help relieve nausea, headaches and poor digestion and also has anti-inflammatory properties (4, 5, 6).

Still, its most significant benefit may be its ability to boost the absorption of curcumin (2, 7).

Piperine Enhances the Absorption of Curcumin

Unfortunately, the curcumin in turmeric is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. As a result, you could be missing out on its advantages to health.

However, adding black pepper can help. Research supports that combining the piperine in black pepper with the curcumin in turmeric enhances curcumin absorption by up to 2,000% (2 7, 8).

One study showed that adding 20 mg of piperine to 2 grams of curcumin increased its absorption significantly (8).

There are currently two theories on how this works.

First, piperine makes it easier for curcumin to pass through the intestinal wall and into your bloodstream (9).

Second, it may slow down the breakdown of curcumin by the liver, increasing its blood levels. (10, 11).

As a result, combining curcumin with piperine increases its potential health benefits.

While curcumin and piperine each have their own health benefits, they’re even better together.

Fights Inflammation and Helps Reduce Pain

Turmeric’s curcumin has strong anti-inflammatory properties.

In fact, it’s so potent that some studies have shown it to match the power of some anti-inflammatory drugs, without the negative side effects (12, 13, 14).

Studies also demonstrate that turmeric may play a role in preventing and treating arthritis, a disease characterized by joint inflammation and pain (15, 16, 17).

Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties are often praised for reducing pain and temporary discomfort.

Piperine has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties as well. It helps desensitize a specific pain receptor in your body, which can further reduce feelings of discomfort (18, 19, 20).

When combined, curcumin and piperine are a powerful inflammation-fighting duo that can help reduce discomfort and pain.

Aids in Digestion

Indian medicine has relied on turmeric to help with digestion for thousands of years. Modern studies support its use, showing that it can help reduce gut spasms and flatulence (31).

Piperine has been shown to enhance the activity of digestive enzymes in the gut, which helps your body process food more quickly and easily (32).

Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory properties of both turmeric and piperine may aid in reducing gut inflammation, which can help with digestion.

Turmeric and black pepper each have health benefits, due to the compounds curcumin and piperine.

As piperine enhances curcumin absorption in the body by up to 2,000%, combining the spices magnifies their effects.

They may reduce inflammation and improve digestion, particularly in supplement form.

If you’re looking to fully enjoy the advantages of turmeric and black pepper, consider mixing these spices for best results.