Quick Navigation

Black Pepper

Black Pepper is a source of piperine, a molecule that does not do much on its own but can inhibit enzymes that would attack other molecules. Due to this, it is ingested alongside some supplements to increase their absorption rates and is almost always consumed with curcumin.

Our evidence-based analysis on black pepper features 9 unique references to scientific papers.

Kamal Patel
Research analysis led by .
Reviewed by
Examine.com Team
Last Updated:

Get the latest information on 400+ supplements and their effects on 500+ health outcomes.

By becoming an Examine Plus member, you'll have access to all of the latest nutrition research. Quickly and easy look up evidence on over 400 supplements across over 500 different health goals, outcomes, conditions, and more.

Research Breakdown on Black Pepper

1Sources and Pharmacology

2Enterohepatic Effects

3Gastric and Systemic Effects

4Safety and toxicity

1Sources and Pharmacology

Black Pepper (Piper Nigrum) is a common spice and herb used historically for various diseases related to gastrointesinal disorder and dental or oral dysfunction.[1] It is most commonly known in the supplemental realm for its piperine content, but also contains pellitorine, guineensine, pipnoohine, trichostachine, and piperonal.[1]

Back to top

2Enterohepatic Effects

Piperine is known for changing metabolism of various drugs and supplements, most notably increasing curcumin bioavailability by 2000%.[2] It affects metabolism by both intestinal absorption as well as downregulating or inhibiting phase II detoxification enzymes and the glucuronidation process in the liver.[3] It may also contribute to increase absorption by slowing intestinal transit rate and thus prolonging the time said compounds are exposed to the potential uptake.[4]
Back to top

3Gastric and Systemic Effects

Piperine is able to slow both gastric emptying and intestinal transit at doses of 1mg/kg-1.3mg/kg bodyweight.[4] In higher doses, it can induce gastric acid secretion possibly via agonism of gastric histamine H2 receptors.[5]
Back to top

4Safety and toxicity

There exist preliminary evidence that black pepper as a food substance poses carcinogenic effects via some procarcingenic constituents such as safrole and tannins, and some terpene compounds. These procarcinogenic effects were noted with topical application.[6]: Evidence of carcinogenicity]. These effects, however, were not noted with oral ingestion[7] despite rodent hypersensitivity to piperine.[8] It is generally recognized as safe for human consumption.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b Rao VR, et al. Simultaneous determination of bioactive compounds in Piper nigrum L. and a species comparison study using HPLC-PDA. Nat Prod Res. (2011)
  2. ^ Shoba G, et al. Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. Planta Med. (1998)
  3. ^ Han HK. The effects of black pepper on the intestinal absorption and hepatic metabolism of drugs. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. (2011)
  4. ^ a b Bajad S, et al. Piperine inhibits gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit in rats and mice. Planta Med. (2001)
  5. ^ Ononiwu IM, Ibeneme CE, Ebong OO. Effects of piperine on gastric acid secretion in albino rats. Afr J Med Med Sci. (2002)
  6. ^ Black pepper [piper nigrum.
  7. ^ Lack of Adverse Influence of Black Pepper, Its Oleoresin and Piperine in the Weanling Rat.
  8. ^ Piyachaturawat P, Glinsukon T, Toskulkao C. Acute and subacute toxicity of piperine in mice, rats and hamsters. Toxicol Lett. (1983)
  9. ^ Srinivasan K. Black pepper and its pungent principle-piperine: a review of diverse physiological effects. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. (2007)

  • Achieve your Health Goals

    • What works
    • What's a waste
    • Step-by-step directions
    • Science-based
    • Free lifetime updates
    • The Supplement Guides will help you save time, money, and frustration.

    I want to level up my health »

This page is regularly updated, to include the most recently available clinical trial evidence.

Each member of our research team is required to have no conflicts of interest, including with supplement manufacturers, food companies, and industry funders. The team includes nutrition researchers, registered dietitians, physicians, and pharmacists. We have a strict editorial process.

This page features 9 references. All factual claims are followed by specifically-applicable references. Click here to see the full set of research information and references for Black Pepper.

Examine.com is intended to be used for educational and information purposes only. Examine.com and its Editors do not advocate nutritional supplementation over proper medical advice or treatment and this sentiment will never be expressed through pages hosted under Examine.com. If using any pharmaceuticals or drugs given to you by a doctor or received with a prescription, you must consult with the doctor in question or an equally qualified Health Care Professional prior to using any nutritional supplementation. If undergoing medical therapies, then consult with your respective Therapist or Health Care Professional about possible interactions between your Treatment, any Pharmaceuticals or Drugs being given, and possible nutritional supplements or practices hosted on Examine.com.

Examine.com does not assume liability for any actions undertaken after visiting these pages, and does not assume liability if one misuses supplements. Examine.com and its Editors do not ensure that unforeseen side effects will not occur even at the proper dosages, and thereby does not assume liability for any side effects from supplements or practices hosted under the domain of Examine.com.

Supplements

NUTRITION

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.

About

Never miss an update!

Your e-mail is safe with us. We don’t share personal data.