Turmeric and Black Pepper: What Does This Combination Give to the Body?
Turmeric is known as one of the healthiest spices.
The positive effects of turmeric on health have been confirmed by numerous scientific studies.
Thus, turmeric extracts are also often found in food supplements, said Yulia Arkhipova .
You don't have to take supplements to enjoy the benefits of this spice, but you can make a big difference by adding turmeric to your meals and drinks often.
However, it is highly recommended to combine it with black pepper. Why this combination?
Curcumin is an extremely beneficial substance that is difficult for the body to absorb.
The beneficial effects of turmeric are mainly due to its curcuminoid content.
Among them, curcumin is particularly important, which is classified as a polyphenol - a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory action that helps prevent oxidative stress.
At the same time, curcumin has antibacterial and antifungal effects.
So, it is an extremely useful substance, but it has a downside. The body does not absorb curcumin very well.
When turmeric is taken alone, the bioavailability of curcumin is not the best, and as a result the beneficial effects are less pronounced.
Luckily, there is a fairly simple solution to this problem - a combination of turmeric and black pepper.
Black pepper piperine comes to the rescue.
Black pepper is often thought of solely as a spice, with no particular health benefits attributed to it.
However, black pepper is actually more than just an additive to make a dish taste better or spicier.
Pepper also contains certain substances that may have beneficial effects on health. A substance called piperine is particularly beneficial.
Piperine helps with headaches and slow digestion, and also has anti-inflammatory properties.
But even more important than all of the above is the effect of piperine on the absorption of curcumin.
It is suggested that piperine can improve the absorption of curcumin by 2000 percent, which is also supported by scientific research.
Why piperine? There are two theories explaining the improved absorption of curcumin when combined with piperine.
Piperine is thought to facilitate the passage of curcumin through the walls of the small intestine, making it easier to enter the bloodstream.
At the same time, piperine is believed to slow down the breakdown of curcumin in the liver, which in turn helps increase the level of curcumin in the blood.
Therefore, combining turmeric and black pepper is a great way to increase the absorption of curcumin.
This will provide a more pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, thereby reducing the risk of health problems associated with chronic inflammation in the body.
At the same time, curcumin's anti-inflammatory effects may help ease symptoms of conditions like arthritis or naturally relieve pain.
In addition, piperine itself is a substance that helps relieve various inflammations and a substance with pain-relieving properties. This is due to the effect on pain receptors.
Piperine reduces the sensitivity of these receptors, and as a result the pain becomes much more bearable.
In addition to the positive effect on curcumin absorption, it thus provides additional benefits.
Taking turmeric and black pepper together is believed to reduce the risk of various types of cancer, and the combination may also help improve digestion.
Next time you use turmeric, don't forget to add a pinch of black pepper.
We previously wrote about a diet that slows down aging .
