What is Piperine?
Piperine is a compound that is found in black pepper and is responsible for the distinct flavour of black pepper. Black pepper is one of the most commonly used spices as a seasoning for dishes in households across the world. While it is considered as the ‘king of spices’, the presence of active compounds, with piperine being of paramount importance, in black pepper makes it more than just a flavour enhancer in the kitchen.
What is Piperine used for?
Piperine is widely used for commercial purposes in modern natural medicines. It is extracted from the seeds of black pepper after dissolving them in a solvent, the residue of which is then treated in a solution to remove the resin, and the residue that remains after this process is rinsed to get the final product, piperine crystals. The most important contribution of piperine in health supplements is its ability to have a positive effect on the bioavailability of other vitamins and minerals. This active compound also plays a role in boosting the white blood cells which are an essential part of the immune system of the body.
Health Benefits and Uses of Piperine
Piperine is a natural alkaloid that has been used in traditional and Ayurvedic medicine as a herbal remedy for thousands of years because of its several health benefits. It can be consumed orally as supplements or topically applied on skin as a paste or oil to relieve pain. It is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that helps to treat different chronic conditions. Piperine benefits and uses are wide-ranging as a result of the multiple healing properties that it naturally possesses.
1. Arthritis
The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of piperine can help relieve the swelling, pain and symptoms caused due to rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment with piperine is also said to suppress the production of inflammation markers, improve joint mobility and ease stiffness and swelling.
Refer to article – Natural Supplements for arthritis and joint pain
2. Weight Management
Piperine has fat-burning properties that gets rid of the AMA toxins in the body and aids in maintaining a healthy body weight. Additionally, piperine use also helps in improving digestion, reducing appetite and the build-up of bad fats in the body, and enhancing the metabolism, all together which stimulate weight loss.
3. Nutrient Absorption
Piperine has a unique property of increasing the absorption of the several beneficial nutrients and plant compounds that help in boosting health. For example, studies have shown that piperine helps in the absorption of curcumin, selenium and beta carotene, all of which possess different properties beneficial for the wellness of the human body.
4. Blood Sugar Levels
Piperine may improve the blood sugar metabolism, insulin sensitivity and even act as a bio-enhancer by increasing the effectiveness of the anti-diabetic medicine given to a person with diabetes to control blood sugar levels.
Refer to article – Top 10 Natural Supplements for diabetes
5. Brain Function
Piperine may improve and benefit cognitive function such as improved memory, however, studies with human subjects are needed to confirm the results. It may also be helpful in managing symptoms of degenerative brain diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
6. Respiratory Disorders
Piperine is known to be one of the best natural remedies for treating different types of respiratory diseases such as cold, cough, asthma, bronchitis and COPD. Piperine helps in reducing congestion, easing inflammation and minimising asthma attacks in terms of frequency and severity
7. Cancer-Fighting
As piperine is rich in antioxidants, it is hypothesised that it has cancer-fighting properties that could supposedly block the growth and spread of cancer cells. As most studies related to this have been conducted in test tubes with promising results, more human studies are needed to understand the piperine effects on humans.
With these several health benefits and uses, piperine is a renowned plant compound that has been a part of medicine since a long time and is amongst the best natural remedies for treating several conditions with its healing properties.
Lifekart’s Joint Pain Relief Kit
The Joint Pain Relief Kit is composed of Boswellia extract, AKBA, and Piperine, that together effectively aids in reducing the symptoms, inflammation and pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. This is a 100% natural remedy with high anti-inflammatory properties that fight joint pain and enhances mobility and function with no reactions in the body. This unique blend is a go-to natural solution for all joints associated problems.
