What is BioPerine?

BioPerine (piperine) is an active ingredient found in black pepper, which contributes to the unique taste of this spice. Black pepper has been regarded as one of the most important spices throughout history for one’s health. In ancient times physicians also recommended this for relieving stomach aches. With the help of modern science and research, more benefits of piperine are being discovered.

Black pepper has been regarded as the “king of spices“ for the longest time. Because of its distinct flavor due to the presence of piperine, it is also known for its health benefits. Most people take little amounts of black pepper with each meal and many of them opt for a supplement to boost their piperine intake. BioPerine extracted from black pepper contains at least 95% of piperine in the form that gets absorbed by the body quite easily. 

It is also found in other supplements, either alone or with other ingredients like turmeric.

6 benefits of BioPerine you need to know about

Following are the six benefits that you should know about BioPerine.

Controls blood sugar

Certain studies have suggested that it supports improving blood sugar levels via various mechanisms.

One such test included that piperine increased the absorption of sugar from the body into the cells which could help prevent high blood sugar levels. 

Another research performed on animals suggested that it can also prevent insulin resistance. This condition prevents the body from using insulin to transport sugar from the bloodstream to the cells.

Another study conducted on mice with diabetes showed that piperine increased the effectiveness of metformin - which is the medication used to control blood sugar levels.

Additional studies are required to determine whether it has similar benefits for humans as well.

High level of Antioxidant

BioPerine is high in antioxidants which helps the body fight free radicals. Free radicals damage the body, and it prevents that from happening. Many studies have shown that black pepper extracts can reduce free radical damage to a great extent. 

Anti-cancer Properties

Because of the presence of antioxidants, certain research has suggested that it could help block the growth division and spread of cancer cells. In particular, its effects have been studied against breast, colon and prostate cancer cells.

One study found that piperine extract could also help with the effectiveness of a certain kind of therapy that is used to treat aggressive triple-negative breast cancer.

It is to be kept in mind that most of these researches were done in test tubes using concentrated and large amounts of piperine. More studies need to be conducted to understand how BioPerine could affect cancer development in the future.

Anti-inflammatory

Inflammation is a very common immune response that protects the body against illness and infections. Chronic infection can harm your health in the long term. It can also lead to many health conditions including heart diseases, diabetes, and cancer.

But certain studies have shown that piperine possesses strong anti-inflammatory properties that will help with chronic inflammation.

One such study showed that piperine extract could help skin cells against UV rays that cause skin damage and inflammation. And another study showed that it blocks the production of different markers of inflammation in the spinal cord and brain cells. Some animal studies also indicate that piperine could help with reducing inflammation associated with arthritis and asthma.

Further research is needed to see how supplements including BioPerine, can affect inflammation in humans.

Improves Heart Health

BioPerine has also been linked to good heart health. Different studies that were conducted have shown that it can control cholesterol levels. This makes it a vital agent which helps with improved cardiovascular health. In one particular study, it was also able to reduce “bad” cholesterol levels in animals.

Increases nutrient absorption

It has been shown that piperine increases the absorption of different nutrients and certain plant compounds as well. Some studies have shown that it can increase the absorption of curcumin by up to 2000%. Curcumin is an active plant compound that is found in turmeric and is known to possess anti-inflammatory properties. 

Some studies also show that piperine can help in the absorption of beta carotene, which is known to help with immune function and acts as an antioxidant to prevent cell damage in the body.

Piperine can also increase the absorption of selenium, a powerful anti-inflammatory and cancer-fighting agent.

To Summarise

These are some of the key benefits of BioPerine. One of the best things about it is that it is easily available. Piperine is an extract of black pepper and hence can be easily sourced from grocery stores or spice markets. People who do not want to consume it directly can go for dietary supplements that contain piperine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BioPerine the same as black pepper extract?

BioPerine is an active ingredient that is present in black pepper which contributes to the unique spice. It is also regarded as a beneficial component of one’s health.

Does BioPerine help in weight loss?

A lot of studies are being conducted to see how this ingredient can help the human body function. Until now, there has been no proven study that claims that BioPerine can help with weight loss.