BioPerine: Everything You Need To Know

With the current health climate, there has been an increase in the usage of supplements in all regions around the world, according to the
2021 research published in the American Society for Nutrition. In America alone, supplement usage has risen from 40.6% to 75.7% during the pandemic.

Due to its increased usage, supplements are more popular than ever. However, how well do you know its ingredients? If you have been taking supplements for a while, you might be familiar with BioPerine, but just in case you haven’t heard of it yet, we’re here to tell you all about it.

The Basics of BioPerine: What is it? 

BioPerine was researched, discovered, and pioneered by Sabinsa, a health and wellness company founded in 1988. Among its 260 nutraceutical patents all around the world, BioPerine is a nutritional supplement that can offer a safer and more powerful way to access the health benefits of the chemical compounds of black pepper to the body.

Where Does BioPerine Come From?

The compound BioPerine is a patented extract from black pepper fruits and provides a standardized amount of Piperine, the main bioactive compound found in black pepper. The minimum piperine content found in BioPerine is 95% which means you can enjoy the maximum health benefits of it due to its high concentration.

BioPerine: How Does it Improve Bioavailability?

BioPerine is strongly associated with bioavailability, the proportion of a drug or other substance that enters the circulation when introduced into the body and has an active effect. In this case, not all supplements are equal in terms of bioavailability.

A particular supplement may offer all the benefits in the world, but it boils down to how it is absorbed and used by the body. This is where BioPerine comes in, this active ingredient is mainly used to increase bioavailability, and its highly concentrated nature makes it an excellent addition to supplements to maximize its health benefits.

How does Bioperine increase absorption of vitamins and nutrients?

BioPerine can enhance the bioavailability of many substances, including food supplements, by blocking the P-glycoproteins, which are found within the membranes of our intestines, kidneys, and adrenal glands. Their primary function is to transport drugs, vitamins, and nutrients from inside to outside of cells.

According to a research published in the
Journal of Nutrition, blocking the P-glycoproteins process stops the action of enzymes and transporters that digest drugs and nutrients and, therefore, activates amino acid transporters and glucuronic acid. The first proposed mechanism of Bioperine activity is that Piperine acts on these plasma membrane proteins and stops efflux so that substances are kept inside the cell for better intestinal absorption.

Bioperine is also thought to improve absorption by stimulating thermogenesis, how energy and heat are created in the human body. The second proposed mechanism is that Piperine produces catecholamines, which are thermogenic hormones, increasing metabolic processes through second messengers and inflating the demand for nutrients.

What are the Benefits of BioPerine?

As mentioned, BioPerine is a compound with a very high concentration of Piperine, the main active component found in black peppers, which are known to offer many health benefits. Traditional medicine practitioners have been using black peppers as a medical treatment, and modern science just started to provide backup research with these benefits known for hundreds of years.

Here are the known benefits of BioPerine with some scientific backing.

BioPerine has High Antioxidant Activity

Our bodies are exposed to stress, pollution, and harmful food and chemicals every day, contributing to cell degeneration or aging. Antioxidants are the substances responsible for eliminating free radicals within the body and can help prevent the cell damage caused.

The excellent news, BioPerine can help prevent damage caused by free radicals due to its high antioxidant content.

BioPerine can be an Anti-Inflammatory Agent

Inflammation is the leading cause of discomfort and pain, especially if someone is suffering from injury and, most of all, joint conditions like arthritis. Fortunately, Piperine is an anti-inflammatory agent which is well researched.

According to this 2009 research published in the
Arthritis Research & Therapy Journal, Piperine has anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antiarthritic effects in an arthritis animal model. Since BioPerine is a potent piperine extract, it can be an effective anti-inflammatory agent.

BioPerine May Help Control Blood Sugar Levels

According to
CDC.gov, there are 34.2 million people of all ages, or 10.5% of the US population suffering from diabetes in 2018.

Apart from diabetes, having too much sugar in the blood for long periods can cause serious health problems if it is not treated. High blood sugar can damage the vessels that supply blood to vital organs, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, vision problems, and nerve problems.

The good news is that
research showed that Piperine has a positive effect on reducing high blood sugar levels in laboratory environments. By extension, this makes piperine extracts like BioPerine beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes and other blood sugar disorders.

BioPerine May Offer Brain Health Benefits

The piperine extract, BioPerine can offer better brain health in addition to its other health benefits. However, there hasn’t been any human trials, but Piperine has been shown to
improve memory in rodents, which increases the possibility that the extract may have a role in protecting against the effects of Alzheimer’s disease and other degenerative brain disorders.

BioPerine May Offer Heart Health Benefits

The active compound in pepper, Piperine is shown to possibly control cholesterol levels which makes it a great tool in promoting better cardiovascular health. In one rodent
study, Piperine was shown to reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol levels by a substantial margin.

BioPerine May Have Anti-Cancer Properties

Cancer has a significant impact on society, not just in the United States and across the world. 
According to National Cancer Institute, an estimated 1,806,590 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the United States, and 606,520 people will die from the disease in 2020 alone.

With this alarming number, researchers are always looking for ways on how to combat cancer cells. Sure, there is always radiation therapy, but its side effects cannot be denied. The good news and perhaps the most exciting property of the piperine extract is its potential to fight cancer.

A 2016
cancer research published in the National Library of Medicine has revealed that Piperine could have anti-cancer properties. In fact, it has been shown to increase the effectiveness in treating triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive types of cancer known.

Which Ingredients Does BioPerine Work With?

When used as a piperine supplement, BioPerine works well with several ingredients and compounds. One is the spice known as
turmeric, which has also been used for generations in traditional medicine.

BioPerine also works well with Coenzyme Q10, an essential vitamin-like substance required for the proper function of many organs and chemical reactions in the body. Some other supplements with similar effects as Piperine include the vital mineral selenium and garlic, another known spice with potential health benefits.

Why Is BioPerine Used With Curcumin?

As a piperine extract, BioPerine goes well with curcumin, the bioactive ingredient in turmeric, which is considered a significant boost when it comes to bioavailability. In fact, multiple studies have shown that taking Piperine with curcumin can increase the latter’s bioavailability by as much as 2000 percent!

Shop
Curcumin with BioPerine by FreshBros.

What are safe Bioperine dosages?

Bioperine is generally recognized as safe after in-depth review, but it is always important to take the appropriate dosage. The recommended dosage of BioPerine is 5 ~ 10 mg per day contained in one serving of dietary supplements, which can help you get its health benefits with no significant side effects.

Final Words on BioPerine

The active compound BioPerine has the potential of offering many health benefits, according to current studies. It can go well with turmeric and other substances, but it is always important to consume it in moderation. As always, consult your healthcare provider if you have underlying medical conditions before taking any food supplement.