That distinct bite and aroma you get from black pepper can largely be attributed to one special compound: piperine. Derived from black peppercorns, piperine gives the spice its characteristic pungency. But beyond adding a spicy kick to dishes, piperine has some intriguing health properties worth exploring. In this blog, we'll uncover what is piperine, where else it's found, its benefits and side effects, and how it enhances curcumin absorption from turmeric. Let's dive in and demystify this potent piperaceae alkaloid.
What is Piperine?
Piperine is the major bioactive compound found in black pepper, the dried fruit from the flowering vine Piper nigrum. It is an alkaloid, meaning a natural nitrogenous organic compound typically found in plants.
Chemically speaking, piperine consists of a piperidine nucleus linked to an aromatic part containing methylenedioxyphenyl. The piperidine ring system gives piperine its pungency and peppery bite, which provides both flavor and pharmacological effects.
Piperine was first isolated in 1819 by chemist Hans Christian Oersted and scientifically named piperina. Since then, the spice component has been extensively studied for its bioavailability enhancing and medicinal properties.
Some of piperine's main beneficial mechanisms include:
- Spicing up taste receptors on the tongue
- Increasing absorption and bioavailability of other compounds
- Providing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities
- Modulating neurotransmitters related to pain and depression
So in essence, piperine not only gives black pepper its signature heat and zing but also enhances nutrient absorption while offering therapeutic benefits.
Is Piperine Only in Black Pepper?
While the most concentrated natural source, piperine is not exclusive to just black pepper. This pungent alkaloid can also be found in:
- White pepper - White peppercorns are simply black peppercorns with the outer layer removed. They contain piperine but less compared to black pepper.
- Long pepper - Derived from Piper longum, long pepper is another peppery spice containing piperine as the key active constituent.
- Ashwagandha - The herb ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) also contains a small amount of piperine which may enhance its effects.
- Cubeb pepper - Cubeb berries from Piper cubeba offer a similar taste and chemical profile to black pepper including the presence of piperine.
So while piperine black pepper extract standardized to piperine are common, small amounts of this medicinal alkaloid can be found in other piperaceae family plants and selected herbs.
What Foods are High in Piperine?
The richest natural food sources of piperine all come from the Piper genus of flowering vines and include:
- Black pepper - The highest concentration is found in dried black peppercorns. Powdered pepper has slightly less due to volatility of compounds.
- White pepper - Next highest source, though 10-20% less piperine content than black pepper.
- Long pepper - Contains around 5-10% piperine depending on exact species or cultivar.
- Peppercorn blend - Combination products mixing pepper varieties will provide an array of piperine.
Minor dietary sources include peppery greens like watercress, arugula, nasturtium leaves, and radish sprouts. Otherwise, black pepper products are by far the richest and most bioavailable sources for obtaining the benefits of piperine.
What Are the Benefits of Taking Piperine Supplements?
When taken as a supplement, piperine extracted from black pepper may provide a number of science-backed health benefits:
- Increases nutrient absorption - Dramatically enhances bioavailability and absorption of many compounds, including curcumin (up to 2000%!), selenium, beta-carotene, and vitamins.
- Lowers inflammation - Has potent anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting inflammatory enzymes like 5-LOX and suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines.
- Provides antioxidant support - Scavenges reactive free radicals and reduces oxidation of fats. Boosts levels of glutathione and other antioxidants.
- Enhances mental function - Improves serotonin, dopamine, and other neurotransmitter systems implicated in depression and cognitive decline.
- May ease pain - Interacts with TRPV1 receptors involved in pain sensation and nociception. More human research is still needed.
The most relevant use of piperine black pepper extract powder is to increase absorption of turmeric, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients from dietary supplements. For overall health, simply getting black pepper from your diet is recommended rather than isolated piperine extracts.
Is Turmeric with Piperine Safe?
Combining piperine-enhanced black pepper extract with a turmeric or curcumin supplement is an extremely safe and effective way to dramatically increase the bioavailability of curcumin. This synergistic pairing takes advantage of piperine's ability to inhibit hepatic and intestinal glucuronidation, a process that normally metabolizes and eliminates curcumin rapidly.
By slowing curcumin's breakdown and excretion, piperine has been shown in studies to increase curcumin levels in the blood by up to 154% or even 2000% in humans when combined at an optimal ratio. Doses of 20 mg piperine combined with 2 grams curcumin provide maximum benefit.
This turmeric-piperine synergy is safe for most people when curcumin supplements are taken according to label instructions. Those with underlying health conditions or taking pharmaceutical medications should consult their doctor before using piperine-enhanced curcumin supplements, as piperine may increase absorption of other drugs and compounds as well.
What are the Potential Negative Effects of Piperine?
At culinary doses, black pepper and its piperine content are very safe with minimal side effects. Even at higher supplemental intakes, piperine is well tolerated by most people. However, some potential adverse reactions can include:
- Gastrointestinal distress - abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, increased acid production
- Respiratory irritation - if inhaled, pepper may provoke breathing issues in those sensitive
- Drug interactions - may increase absorption of certain pharmaceuticals, altering their efficacy
- Hyperthermia - extremely large doses may raise body temperature, but this is rare
- Skin flushing - topical application can cause contact dermatitis in those with allergies
Pregnant women should avoid very high amounts of piperine, as safety during pregnancy is uncertain. Those with gallbladder issues may want to moderate black pepper intake as piperine stimulates bile acid secretion. Otherwise, consuming black pepper as a seasoning regularly poses little risk.
The Bottom Line on Piperine
Piperine is the signature bioactive compound that gives black pepper its taste, aroma, and medicinal properties. Standardized black pepper or piperine extracts help increase the absorption and bioefficacy of turmeric, curcumin, nutrients, and phytochemicals.
Through its effects on bioavailability enhancers, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory pathways, and neurotransmitters, piperine is a beneficial alkaloid for overall health. And by spicing up your meals with fresh cracked black pepper, you can add a kick of piperine naturally to your diet.
So whether you're pairing it with turmeric, seasoning your salmon, or infusing it into a homemade chai latte, be sure to sprinkle on some black pepper to reap the tasty benefits of piperine. Your body and taste buds will thank you!
In conclusion, piperine is a remarkable compound found in black pepper and other related plants that offers a range of health benefits. From enhancing nutrient absorption to reducing inflammation and supporting mental function, piperine has garnered much attention in the world of natural health. If you're interested in incorporating piperine into your supplement routine, botanical cube inc., as a senior Piperine Extract Powder 50% manufacturer, can provide you with different purity levels of Piperine Extract Powder. For more information or to place an order, please contact us at sales@botanicalcube.com. Start harnessing the potential of piperine today for a healthier tomorrow!
References:
1. Butt, M.S. et al. (2013) Black pepper and health claims: a comprehensive treatise. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 53(9): 875-886.
2. Kumavat, S.D. et al. (2013) Piperine as an inhibitor of human P-glycoprotein and as an enhancer of intestinal absorption of digoxin in rats. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 75(4): 447–451.
3. Vijayakumar, R.S. et al. (2004) Piperine suppresses gastric NF-κB activation and inflammatory mediators in Helicobacter pylori infected mice. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. 266(1): 65-73.
4. Moorthi C. et al. (2017) Piperine Interferes with Quorum Sensing-Regulated Gene Expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Inhibits Virulence Factor Production and Biofilm Formation. PLoS ONE. 12(1): e0170981.
5. Sharma, S. et al. (2013) Chemopreventive and anti-lipidperoxidative efficiency of Piperine against Benzo(a)pyrene induced lung carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. 372(1): 173–181.