Turmeric and black pepper: why they almost always go together

If you look at turmeric formulas, you'll almost always see black pepper next to it. It's no coincidence, and it isn't about flavor.

Turmeric

It's the root of a plant, Curcuma longa, used as a spice and in Indian tradition. Its yellow pigment is called curcumin, and it's the most studied compound.

Black pepper

It contains piperine, the compound that gives it its characteristic bite.

The point: absorption

On its own, curcumin is hard to absorb: much of it never reaches the bloodstream. A classic human study found that, taken with piperine, blood curcumin levels were considerably higher than without it. That's why they're combined.

In a capsule

Our Turmeric + Black Pepper brings both at 1000 mg per serving, in a 120-capsule bottle.

Dietary supplements do not replace a varied diet or medical treatment. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a health condition, talk to your doctor before starting.

Sources

• Shoba et al., Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers, Planta Med (1998)