Turmeric & Black Pepper
There are two things you can do to help your body absorb turmeric better. Since curcumin is fat-soluble, taking turmeric supplements along with a meal containing fat or oil can help your body absorb it better. But you can also increase the bioavailability of turmeric and curcumin by combining it with black peppe Black pepper contains a substance called piperine, which studies show increases the bioavailability of turmeric’s antioxidant compounds by as much as 2000%.Piperine enhances the beneficial effects of turmeric by making curcuminoids more accessible by the body. Experts say it does so in two ways, both of which are related to digestion.First, piperine helps your body absorb more of the beneficial turmeric compounds by making it easier for those compounds to pass through the wall of the intestines and make it into your bloodstream. From there, piperine helps slow the metabolic breakdown of curcumin, so it stays in your system longer, increasing its bioavailability.
Turmeric isn’t the only area where piperine lends a helping hand. This black pepper extract can boost bioavailability of many other nutrients and compounds too. In fact, you can get piperine supplements to take alongside your other dietary supplements or with whole foods as a nature-sourced and clinically-validated enhancer of nutrient bioavailability. The history of black pepper for health and wellness dates back to Ayurvedic traditions, where it was used to stimulate appetite and support respiratory and cardiovascular health.Black pepper is also rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. So, the next time you reach for the pepper grinder at the dinner table, know that you’re enjoying a time-tested wellness tradition with benefits that go beyond adding flavor to your meal.
