Black pepper is a common spice used in cooking to enhance flavor.
It contains piperine, an alkaloid that functions as an antioxidant.
Research has explored the health benefits of combining piperine with a curcumin supplement.
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Pepper comes from the peppercorn, a dried unripe fruit.
Peppercorns are picked when almost ripe and then allowed to dry until they turn black.
That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
Black pepper is marketed for its anti-inflammatory properties.
It is suggested to help with cognitive brain function and gastrointestinal function.
It also has antimicrobial and antidepressant properties.
Yet, very few human clinical trials have assessed the outcomes of black pepper as a supplement.
Below are some possible health benefits of black pepper.
It should be noted that the studies reviewed mostly use acurcuminsupplement combined with piperine.
Curcumin is the active compound found in thespice turmeric.
Therefore, it is not certain whether the results are due to one or both compounds.
Therefore, the research is preliminary and not enough to recommend black pepper or piperine supplementation routinely.
After eight weeks, the supplement significantly reducedhemoglobin A1C, LDL cholesterol, and liver enzymes.
It also significantly improved levels ofhigh-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol(considered “good” cholesterol).
Blood glucose control is important with diabetes to avoid further complications.
The supplement also significantly loweredliver enzymesbut did not affect C-reactive protein levels.
Common causes include obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes.
In one study, short-term treatment with curcumin and piperine seemed to reduce the severity of MASLD.
However, it did not improve fibroscan measurements, which are used to assess the improvement of MASLD.
What Are the Side Effects of Black Pepper?
Not many side effects are reported with the use of black pepper.
Higher doses of black pepper may cause a burning sensation in the throat or stomach.
It could also contribute to reflux or heartburn.
Precautions
Black pepper in amounts usually found in food is safe.
For this reason, you should discontinue piperine supplements for two weeks before any scheduled surgeries.
People withdiabetesshould monitor their glucose levels closely, as piperine can lower blood glucose levels.
Adding piperine could reduce how much medication is needed.
Dosage: How Much Black Pepper Should I Take?
There is no standard recommended dose for black pepper.
Interactions
It’s possible for piperine to interact with medications.
Some studies have shown that piperine can reduce blood glucose levels.
Combining medications to lower glucose levels with piperine could theoretically lead tohypoglycemia.
People with diabetes should always discuss supplements with their primary care provider or other treating provider before starting them.
You may need to monitor your blood glucose levels closely.
Piperine may also slow blood clotting.
Piperine can slow the breakdown of other medications in the liver, increasing the drug’s effects.
This may include:
However, studies on these interactions were done in animals and used higher-than-normal piperine doses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Black pepper contains piperine, an alkaloid that has antioxidant properties.
Pepper comes from the vine Piper nigrum.
The small dried berries are peppercorns.
They are picked when almost ripe and allowed to dry further until they turn black.
There is not enough evidence to support the use of curcumin with piperine supplementation forCOVID-19.
One study found that the supplement did improve some markers of inflammation but had no effect on mortality.
Another study found that curcumin-piperine supplementation did not affect inflammatory and other blood indexes but improved weakness.
However, the study was limited to the number of participants (only 46 patients).
Many different types of pepper are available such as white peppercorns and red pepper flakes.
However, the information contained in this article is specific to black pepper.
It may also be added to supplements marketed for inflammation that contain several different ingredients.
Always look for supplements that have been independently tested.
Summary
Black pepper is a common spice added to foods.
Piperine, a compound found in pepper, has been studied for health benefits.
Further research is needed to determine whether piperine supplementation could lead to a reduced risk of disease.
FoodData Central.Spices, pepper, black.
2021;1328:199-211. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-73234-9_13
Neta JFF, Veras VS, Sousa DF, et al.Effectiveness of the piperine-supplementedCurcuma longaL.
2022;23(1):472. doi:10.1186/s13063-022-06375-w
