Black pepper isn't just one of the most common spices used in kitchens around the world. The pungent taste that lies in piperine has long been known for its health-promoting effects. In this article, you will learn more about how piperine affects your body and why it is often found in supplements.
Not only does black pepper add flavor to your meals, it also works wonders for your health and your brain. Black pepper contains piperine, which acts as a bioenhancer, i.e. H. it serves as a natural amplifier for other active ingredients. Studies have shown that black pepper can increase the absorption of turmeric. For these reasons, piperine becomes often as an ingredient in many nutritional supplements .
What is piperine?
Piperine is that main component of black pepper and is one of the most commonly used spices along with salt. It is also known as the "King of Spices". Piperine is an alkaloid, a colorless to yellowish solid, and is composed of piperic acid and piperidine. Pepper comes from the pepper family (Piperaceae). It is made from the ground fruits, i.e. the peppercorns. Piperine is also formed when ethanol is extracted from black pepper and then crystallized.
You probably know the saying “Go where the pepper grows!” But where is that actually - where does black pepper grow? First, black pepper is the dried, unripe berries of the plant Piper nigrum, which is a climbing plant and winds its way up trees wildly. The pepper plant or the Pepper bushes can reach a height of ten meters. The pepper plant is originally native to India. In the meantime, however, it has spread as a useful plant in southeast Asia.
However, black pepper is not only popular as a food, with its black and slightly spicy taste to add the finishing touch to almost all dishes. The agitator is healthy and acts as an antioxidant.
More to Antioxidants you will find out here.

Piperine has been used in ancient Ayurvedic medicine for many thousands of years. It contains a high concentration of effective and useful plant substances.1, 2 Piperine is found in black and white pepper to a proportion of 2 percent to 7,4 percent, the piperine content can be influenced by many environmental factors, such as climate, growing conditions and place of origin.3
Black pepper used to be an important object of overland trade between India and Europe. This led to the exploration of undiscovered areas and the development of large trading cities in Europe and the Middle East. It was expensive to bring pepper to Europe by land and it was only in the 17th century that it could be imported cheaper and in larger quantities by sea.
Pepper was also used as a medium of exchange. It has been a sought-after spice since ancient times, and was also used as currency and sacred offering. On the one hand people paid their taxes or ransom with the spice and on the other hand gods were honored with it. Even in the Middle Ages, a man's wealth was often measured by his supply of pepper.
What does the color say about the pepper?
The different ones The colors of pepper reflect the different stages of development and processing. The sharpness comes from the contained piperine. All colors of pepper varieties are healthy. Most piperine is said to contain white pepper.
Black pepper is obtained by picking the pepper berries when they are are half ripe and about to turn red. These are then dried, shrinking and turning a dark color. Black pepper is that hottest pepper and has most of the flavor of all sorts. Because black pepper is sensitive to heat, it should only be added to food shortly before consumption. But how healthy is black pepper? Has black pepper lots of healthy ingredients and is a good source of vitamins and minerals, for example vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin K, calcium, and iron Magnesium.
Auch Red pepper sharp and again more fiery than black pepper.
Green peppercorns will be picked when they still immature and green are. This pepper is milder and has one fresh taste.
White peppercorns will be picked when they very ripe are. For this purpose, the grains are then soaked in saline to remove their dark capsule shell. Then only the white pepper seed remains. White pepper is similar to black pepper, only slightly less intense and aromatic.
How does piperine work in the body and brain?
Piperine has many benefits and in particular a positive effect on the brain by making it yours improve cognitive functions can.
Benefits of the action of piperine:
- increased production of beta-endorphins
- positive effect on the dopamine balance
- positive influence on serotonin production
- protects nerve cells
One effect of piperine is that increased production of beta-endorphins. These are the most common endorphins in your body. They help to increase your stress tolerance. When your beta endorphin levels go up, that can do one have a positive influence on your cognitive functions.

Piperine still has one positive effect on the dopamine balance. Dopamine is known to most as a happiness hormone, on the other hand it has a significant influence on your motivation and is one of the most important messenger substances in your brain. Among other things, dopamine is synthesized from the amino acid phenylalanine. Dopamine also ensures that information is processed. What does this have to do with piperine? Dopamine is split by the enzyme MAO (monoamine oxidase) and thus loses its effectiveness. Because piperine inhibits this enzyme, less dopamine is broken down as a result. This also means that more dopamine stays in your brain.
Piperine also has an impact on the production of serotonin, your feel-good hormone. Piperine actually strengthens the 5-HTP molecule - a precursor to serotonin production. In addition, serotonin, like dopamine, is split by MAO, which is why piperine also inhibits the enzyme.4, 5
We would like to give you our BRIGHT MOOD recommend that the natural serotonin precursors contain L-tryptophan and 5-HTP.
Black pepper can be yours Protect nerve cells and prevent cell death. Piperine also controls the flow of calcium and thus also has a role in the production of neurotransmitters. Since calcium promotes the growth of nerve cells and helps in the release of neurotransmitters, piperine can improve the synchronization of nerve activity in the brain.
Black Pepper: What Are The Health Effects & Benefits Of Piperine?
In ancient Chinese and Indian medicine, black pepper was used as a natural remedy to treat the Strengthen the immune system and to Relief from
- Pain
- chills
- rheumatism
- colds
- Muscle aches
- chills
- fever
used. As a tea, black pepper was also used Relief from migraines, sore throat or poor digestion consumed. There were other uses to improve blood circulation, increase salivation and stimulate appetite.3 Piperine has antioxidant properties, aids digestion and can aid in weight loss.
Piperine has antioxidant properties
Piperine can before oxidative Stress protect by it free radicals removed from the body. In cell studies, low doses reduced free radical levels. 6 High levels of free radical damage can lead to serious health problems, such as inflammation or heart disease.7, 8
Piperine increases the absorption of nutrients
Preliminary research by researchers put suggest that Piperine allows the body to absorb more nutrients by making it easier for them to pass through the membrane of the intestine, which further increases the efficiency of the intestine.9
Piperine promotes digestion
Black pepper can do that Effectively support digestive systemby increasing gastric acid secretion. In a study with mice, piperine diarrhea prevent. In rabbits and guinea pigs, it worked just as well as loperamide, another drug used to treat diarrhea, but without causing the usual side effects of loperamide.10, 11 Furthermore, piperine also has an antispasmodic effect, which means that it is Reduce muscle spasms in the digestive tract can.12
Piperine helps you lose weight
Piperine makes for one Improves metabolism and suppresses the accumulation of fat in the body. A study published in the journal Biochemical and Biophysical Research found that black pepper, when added to a high-fat diet, helped reduce weight gain significantly. In addition, the fat cells decreased in size by inhibiting special proteins that are involved in the growth of fat cells. The cholesterol level also improves, liver triglycerides decrease and the hormones leptin and lipase, which help to regulate hunger, are suppressed.
How can you take piperine?
You can use piperine as a combined preparation or as a stand-alone food supplement take to you. Usually this is available in the form of cellulose capsules. If you have problems swallowing capsules or tablets, you can also use an extract made from powder. However, due to the dosage with capsules, it is easier to take.
Use of piperine in supplements
Due to the contained piperine in black pepper, the main alkaloid is one of the bioenhancers. Black pepper extract piperine is used in supplements to increase the bioavailability of the nutrients it contains, which enter the bloodstream. It is often used as a combination preparation with curcumin (turmeric). This is because curcumin dissolves poorly in water and makes it difficult to absorb. Curcumin and curcuminoids are the main constituents of turmeric.
Benefits of piperine as a bioenhancer
- Absorb substances in the intestine better
- Reduce the breakdown of substances in the liver and intestines
- Weaken defense mechanisms of pathogens
- Preventing the first pass effect
First-pass effect means that when active ingredients pass through the liver for the first time, some substances may partially lose their effectiveness. Bioenhancers, such as piperine, increase the bioavailability of other substances. Piperine ensures that the other ingredients of the dietary supplement are effectively increased and can work optimally. Some manufacturers also use the term bioperine.
With us you will find piperine in these products:
What do you have to consider when taking piperine?
When you use black pepper to flavor your kitchen, amounts are usually used that you don't have to worry about side effects. The intake is therefore considered to be harmless.
Piperine also has metabolic effects in black pepper and can improve the bioavailability of various drugs such as antibiotics, rifampicin, sulfadiazine, tetracycline and phenytoin by increasing their absorption and slowing down the metabolism of the drug. This can lead to an overdose of some medications.13
It is best to stick to the dose indicated on the packaging. However, if you are taking medication that increases bioavailability due to piperine dosing, you should first talk to your doctor about possible interactions and side effects.
Summary
Hardly any diet can do without black pepper, because it is one of the most popular spices in the world. In addition, the agitator can offer you many health benefits. If you want to know what you can do with one Mineral deficiencies can do, read on at this point.
Piperine or bioperine works as an antioxidant and can help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals. Furthermore, the “King of Spices” is full of vitamins and minerals.
You can often find piperine in dietary supplements because of its benefits. Many use it with turmeric. But also in some products from aheadas SHARP MIND with vitamin B5 contains piperine. All of our products are free from artificial fillers. SHARP MIND Its ingredients support your concentration so that you can work on your projects in a focused manner.
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23768180/
[2] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270275083_A_Review_on_Therapeutic_Potential_of_Piper_nigrum_L_Black_Pepper_The_King_of_Spices
[3] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1541-4337.12246
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15997146
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22195361
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11031726
[7] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28230726/
[8] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30531003/
[9] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0944711304701063
[10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11345706
[11] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18477966
[12] http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880200902918352
[13] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21434835/