By Dr. Adam Abodeely, MD, FACS, FASCRS, MBA, CEO of Coral Cove Wellness Resort

April 17, 2025

Have you ever noticed black pepper extract listed on a supplement label and wondered why it’s there? When you think of black pepper, you might immediately imagine it as the unmistakable seasoning for a perfect plate of pasta or a hearty soup. However, black pepper (Piper nigrum) is more than just the "King of Spices." This humble kitchen staple has found its way into the world of wellness, particularly in oral supplements, and for good reason. Beyond its culinary fame, black pepper possesses significant health benefits and functions as an exceptional enhancer for nutrient absorption. Let's explore why black pepper has become a favored ingredient in countless supplements today.

Why Black Pepper is a Supplement Superstar

A Master of Absorption  

The amount of a nutrient which is absorbed into the circulation for your body to use is known as bioavailability. It’s a crucial factor in determining how effective a supplement or medication will be. Think of it this way: even if you take a high dose of a nutrient, your body might only absorb a fraction of it due to the body’s natural metabolic processes or other biological barriers. Black pepper, particularly its active compound piperine, has garnered attention because it can significantly enhance bioavailability, helping your body fully utilize the nutrients you consume.

Piperine works in several remarkable ways to improve absorption and maximize the benefits of supplements. First, it inhibits certain metabolic enzymes in the liver and intestinal tract, such as cytochrome P450 enzymes, which typically break down active ingredients. By slowing this breakdown, piperine allows nutrients to remain in your system longer, increasing the chance of their absorption.

Second, piperine stimulates thermogenesis, a process that generates heat and energy in the body’s epithelial cells. This activity boosts the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine by enhancing cell membrane fluidity, making it easier for nutrients to pass through.

Third, piperine can inhibit efflux transporters. These are protein pumps responsible for expelling foreign substances, including some nutrients and drugs, from the cells lining your digestive system. By blocking these pumps, piperine ensures that more of the valuable compounds stay in the system and are utilized efficiently.

Fourth, piperine enhances the transport of nutrients across intestinal cells. This may involve modulation of receptors or channels that facilitate nutrient uptake, although the precise mechanisms are still being studied.

Finally, piperine can interact synergistically with nutrients like curcumin (from turmeric) or vitamins by forming stable complexes. These can protect nutrients from degradation during digestion, further improving absorption.

By leveraging these unique biological pathways, piperine ensures that the supplements and nutrients you take achieve their full potential in promoting your health and wellness.

For example, studies have revealed that piperine can enhance the bioavailability of curcumin (the active compound in turmeric) by up to 2000%! Curcumin alone boasts potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties but is notoriously difficult for our bodies to absorb. This dynamic pairing is now a staple in holistic wellness, with supplements combining both compounds to promote joint health, reduce chronic inflammation, and combat oxidative stress.

Similarly, iron supplements can achieve higher efficiency and effectiveness when combined with black pepper. Research has demonstrated that the presence of piperine promotes optimal iron absorption, aiding in the management of iron deficiency anemia.

Other compounds that benefit from piperine include resveratrol, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and Coenzyme Q10. Nutraceuticals often include black pepper extract, branded as BioPerine®, for its thermogenic and bioavailability-enhancing properties, making it a crucial ingredient in multivitamins, weight management supplements, and herbal formulations.