What is piperine and what is it used for?
Turmeric is an Asian spice with a yellow-orange color, of Asian origin and used for thousands of years in traditional Indian medicine for its many beneficial properties for health. Several studies have shown that these effects are enhanced when turmeric is taken with pepper. Let's find out why and how to use this winning combo.
- What is piperine?
- What is turmeric?
- What are turmeric and piperine used for
- Benefits of taking turmeric and piperine
- Piperine and turmeric for weight loss: are they really effective?
- How to take turmeric and piperine
What is piperine?
La piperine natural is the bioactive compound that gives pepper its beneficial properties, including the ability to relieve headaches and nausea, promote digestion and counteract inflammation. It is also capable of improve the absorption of curcumin, a molecule found in turmeric.
What is turmeric?
Turmeric is a spice that comes from a plant that grows in Asia and Central America, belonging to the family of Zinziberaceae. It has been used for thousands of years in the traditional Indian medicine, as well as as a spice in Asian cuisine.
Turmeric has numerous health benefits, most notably associated with the presence of a bioactive compound called curcumin. Specifically, it exercises a powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal activity. However, our body is unable to absorb it at its best.
What are turmeric and piperine used for
Both pepper and turmeric have different health benefits, however, turmeric's properties are partially undermined by difficulty of our body to absorb curcumin in the intestine.
This obstacle can be overcome combining pepper and turmeric in the same meal. In fact, several studies have found that this leads to a greater absorption of curcumin, up to 2%. The effects of turmeric and piperine are thus enhanced.
Benefits of taking turmeric and piperine
Taken individually, both pepper and turmeric exercise beneficial activities for health, but the effects are enhanced by their union. Let's see some benefits of turmeric and piperine:
- They reduce inflammation and the pains associated with it.
- They have an effect antioxidant, reducing the risk of chronic diseases associated with aging.
- Reduce the risk of cancer.
- They improve the digestion.
Piperine and turmeric for weight loss: are they really effective?
Some studies have found an association between curcumin-piperine intake and weight loss. In particular, it has been observed that these reduce the production of inflammatory molecules, typical of highly overweight or obese subjects. Some research on the properties of turmeric and piperine has also highlighted one weight loss it's a reduction of waist circumferences.
However, it should always be emphasized that there are no foods that can individually determine weight loss, for which it remains necessary to set a caloric deficit through nutrition and physical activity.
How to take turmeric and piperine
For the reasons stated above, it is advisable take turmeric and black pepper together, in the same meal. For example, you can season vegetables, meat, fish or first courses with a mix of turmeric and pepper. Alternatively, there are several supplements on the market for which it is recommended to contact your doctor.
Although it is considered safe, in fact, there are several contraindications of turmeric. For example, it is not recommended in case of taking an anticoagulant or drug therapy for diabetes.
Bibliography and sources
Black pepper and its pungent principle-piperine: a review of diverse physiological effects, Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
Curcumin and cancer: an "old-age" disease with an "age-old" solution, Cancer Letters
Dietary turmeric potentially reduces the risk of cancer, Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention
Turmeric Extracts Containing Curcuminoids Prevent Experimental Rheumatoid Arthritis, Journal of natural products
Anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic effects of piperine in human interleukin 1β-stimulated fibroblast-like synoviocytes and in rat arthritis models, Arthritis research & therapy
Piperine and Its Role in Chronic Diseases, Anti-inflammatory Nutraceuticals and Chronic Diseases
Anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic effects of piperine in human interleukin 1β-stimulated fibroblast-like synoviocytes and in rat arthritis models, Arthritis research & therapy
The Effects of Curcumin on Weight Loss Among Patients With Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials, Frontiers in Pharmacology
Potential role of bioavailable curcumin in weight loss and omental adipose tissue decrease: preliminary data of a randomized, controlled trial in overweight people with metabolic syndrome. Preliminary study, European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences
Curcumin and obesity, BioFactors
Evaluation of the effect of curcumin capsules on glyburide therapy in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus, Phytotherapy Research
