How Much Does BioPerine Enhance Absorption?
Many of us keep black pepper in our homes, and for a good (and delicious) reason. From enhancing the flavors of a well-tenderized steak to spicing up a salad or even a cup of afternoon tea, there are plenty of options for using black pepper in our everyday lives. But what if we told you that black pepper is not only a great way to add flavor, but it's actually good for you?
Black pepper is healthy on many fronts, not just because it makes bland, nutritious food more exciting. But one of the most impressive roles it plays takes place in our digestive systems. When eaten raw or distilled for use in BioPerine®, it can increase the bioavailability of other nutrients in your body. 1 5
So, of course, we thought we'd ask: just how much does BioPerine enhance absorption?
What is Piperine?
BioPerine is formulated from a black pepper extract called piperine, which is partially responsible for giving this popular spice its “kick.” Piperine has plenty of applications in the medical and healthy living worlds. Most notably, various studies have shown that piperine can: 2 3 4
- Relieve nausea and headaches
- Enhance the bioavailability of both herbal and conventional drugs
- Promote detoxification in the body
- Reduce oxidants, carcinogens, and inflammation in the body
This is all possible because of piperine’s chemical and molecular makeup. It is a pungent nitrogen alkaloid that carries a unique constellation of features. Although it is spicy to the taste, it has a low risk of toxicity and is not genotoxic. Furthermore, even at doses up to 20 times the average human intake, it has no significant adverse effects on the body. For instance, it does not build up in internal organs, affect weight fluctuations, or increase internal nitrogen levels. 5
Additionally, piperine has been found to increase and enhance bioavailability in the body. Bioavailability is the ease with which your body can digest and use nutrients and compounds. Some drugs, herbs, and nutrients – such as turmeric – have very low bioavailability, particularly when the digestive system cannot absorb them into the bloodstream. However, various studies have shown that piperine can increase the bioavailability of drugs, nutrients, and even spices exponentially 6
For these reasons, piperine – either as an extract or in the form of black pepper – makes an excellent spice for both consumption and research. Of course, piperine and BioPerine aren’t quite the same thing. But still, we’re that much closer to answering our question: how much does BioPerine enhance absorption?
BioPerine and Your Body - A Closer Look
BioPerine is unique in the medical world because it is the only piperine-sourced product to receive a patent for its ability to increase nutrient absorption and availability. Furthermore, it has also undergone clinical studies in the U.S. to study its safety and efficacy – something that not all "natural" compounds and vitamins can claim. 2 5
BioPerine works because it contains 95% piperine extract in the form of 1-piperopiperidine. This extract acts as a “thermonutrient,” or a nutrient that promotes thermogenesis. (Thermogenesis is the process by which organisms or cells generate heat.) 2 5
Studies have found that BioPerine – via piperine – stimulates the release of catecholamines. These hormones work with a compound called cyclic adenosine monophosphate to enhance heat production in the cells that line the intestines. In turn, this thermogenic property increases the absorption of nutrients from the food that passes through the digestive system. 5
On its own, cyclic adenosine monophosphate can only generate a response for a very narrow window of time. However, BioPerine has been shown to increase catecholamine release, which in turn increases the thermogenic response of your intestinal cells. As a result, even a tiny amount of BioPerine can increase the uptake of nutrients. 5
How Much Does BioPerine Enhance Nutrient Absorption?
Now we come to our penultimate question: how much does BioPerine enhance nutrient absorption?
The BioPerine website notes that its product enhances nutrient absorption by at least 30%. However, the answer is not as simple as stating that all nutrients absorb at equal rates, even after consuming BioPerine. 2
Scientific Studies on Piperine and Nutrient Absorption
Part of the reason to cast doubt over this number is the fact that piperine, the ingredient that makes up 95% of BioPerine’s formula, shows a very wide range of possible bioavailability improvement. One overview study of bioavailability enhancers noted that piperine, in particular, increased the bioavailability of different drugs from 30% to 200%. Piperine can increase the bioavailability of curcumin – the primary beneficial compound in turmeric – by up to ten-fold. At the same time, raw piperine did not enhance all drugs' bioavailability, suggesting that there may be some limitations. 6
Additionally, another study conducted on mice examined the effects of piperine on resveratrol. This phytoalexin – a chemical produced by plants – is found in grapes, red wine, peanuts, berries, and other plants. Prior studies had suggested that resveratrol is responsible for several health benefits, including: 7
- Reducing the risk of coronary heart disease
- Preventing or easing the symptoms of bacterial infections
- Preventing hyperlipidemia
However, resveratrol has very poor bioavailability; thus, its full benefits are as yet unknown in the body. But in this study, scientists found that piperine increased the degree of exposure to resveratrol by 229%. Furthermore, the maximum serum concentration was increased to an astronomical 1,554% with the use of piperine. 7
Scientific Studies on BioPerine and Nutrient Absorption
Of course, studying the main ingredient of a supplement is not the same as studying the supplement. While there are fewer studies on the effects of BioPerine directly, there are a few that exist.
Notably, one study noted that BioPerine had, in the past, been found to increase the bioavailability of beta-carotene by two times in humans. It also mentioned prior research found that BioPerine also improved the absorption of coenzyme, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and curcumin extract at notable rates. The study then built upon these past findings by examining the effects of BioPerine on iron supplements and found that, in animal models, BioPerine increased the bioavailability of iron “significantly.” 5
This research supports BioPerine’s assertion that it enhances nutrient absorption by around 30%. And, at least in clinical settings, its constituent piperine seems to be more effective than that.
Maximize Your Turmeric Absorption With Wellixir's Premium Turmeric Supplements
Evidently, the science indicates the bioavailability of turmeric and curcumin is enhanced greatly when BioPerine is also present.
This is why Wellixir's organic turmeric supplement formulas include BioPerine.
Be sure to check it out for yourself to get the most out of the plentiful nutrients that turmeric and curcumin have to offer!
References
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/turmeric-and-black-pepper
- https://bioperine.com/index.php/aboutbioperine
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23625885/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2688199/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7353321/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3634921/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3295233/