Why is black pepper in your supplements?

Summary

These studies suggest that black pepper, particularly its active piperine, enhances the absorption and bioavailability of various nutrients and drugs by affecting drug-metabolising enzymes and intestinal absorption and inhibiting certain transport proteins.

Introduction

Black pepper, particularly its active piperine, has been extensively studied for its potential to enhance the absorption and bioavailability of various supplements and drugs. This property is crucial for improving the efficacy of these substances, making black pepper a valuable addition to dietary and medicinal regimens.

Key Insights

• Inhibition of P-glycoprotein and Enzyme Systems:

  • Piperine inhibits P-glycoprotein and various enzyme systems, which enhances the absorption and bioavailability of drugs and nutrients by reducing their efflux and metabolism in the intestines and liver.

• Enhanced Nutrient Absorption:

  • Black pepper and piperine significantly increase the intestinal absorption of various nutrients, including β-carotene, lutein, and isoflavones, by altering intestinal permeability and enhancing uptake mechanisms.

• Synergistic Effects with Other Compounds:

  • When combined with other bioactive compounds like curcumin, Piperine significantly boosts their bioavailability. For instance, piperine increases the bioavailability of curcumin by 2000%, making it more effective in delivering its health benefits.

• Impact on Drug Pharmacokinetics:

  • Piperine increases the oral bioavailability of drugs such as fexofenadine by inhibiting their metabolism and enhancing their gastrointestinal absorption, which suggests a need for careful monitoring of drug-diet interactions.

• Gastrointestinal and Metabolic Benefits:

  • Black pepper improves gastrointestinal functionality and nutrient digestibility, which can lead to better overall health and enhanced absorption of dietary supplements.

Conclusion

Black pepper, through its active component piperine, enhances the absorption and bioavailability of various supplements and drugs by inhibiting P-glycoprotein and enzyme systems, improving intestinal permeability, and synergizing with other bioactive compounds. This makes black pepper a valuable addition to dietary and medicinal regimens to maximise the efficacy of supplements and drugs.

Sources:

1. Hyo-Kyung Han et al. "The effects of black pepper on the intestinal absorption and hepatic metabolism of drugs." Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology, 7 (2011): 721 - 729.

2. M. S. Butt et al. "Black Pepper and Health Claims: A Comprehensive Treatise." Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 53 (2013): 875 - 886.

3. B. Blank-Landeshammer et al. "Improved Bioavailability and Bioaccessibility of Lutein and Isoflavones in Cultured Cells In Vitro through Interaction with Ginger, Curcuma and Black Pepper Extracts." Antioxidants, 11 (2022).

4. M. Meghwal et al. "Piper nigrum and Piperine: An Update." Phytotherapy Research, 27 (2013).

5. V. Sampath et al. "The Effect of Black Pepper (Piperine) Extract Supplementation on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Fecal Microbial, Fecal Gas Emission, and Meat Quality of Finishing Pigs." Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI, 10 (2020).

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