There are many supplements on the market today, all touting their healthy benefits. As an informed consumer, it’s important to separate the truth from the hype. One ingredient that seems to be gaining a lot of attention is BioPerine which begs the question: should you take supplements that contain BioPerine? Let’s dig into this a little deeper.
What is BioPerine?
BioPerine® is a patented standardized extract obtained from black pepper, containing not less than 95% piperine. It has been used as a bioavailability enhancer for over 20 years and has been known to enhance the absorption rate of nutrient and herbal extracts. Nutrients which BioPerine helps your body to better absorb include calcium, iron, zinc, iodine, copper, vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin D, ginkgo biloba, and more.
What are the benefits of BioPerine?
By far the most well-known benefit of BioPerine is the ability for enhance absorption of nutrients; also referred to as bioavailability or “bioenhancement”. However, there are several benefits of BioPerine. One is increased metabolism. BioPerine increases nutrient absorption by increasing thermogenesis. This process breaks down fat cells and increases internal body temperature. BioPerine may be used to help people control their weight, though the overall effect of this is slight on its own. However, when combined with a more comprehensive weight loss plan, it may have a noticeable impact. Thermogenesis leads to an increase of your body’s demand for nutrients, which spurs metabolism. Without this added demand, your body may say no to the nutrients it doesn’t think that it needs immediately.
Another potential benefit is an improved immune system. A study in 2010 revealed that by slowing the reaction time of lymphocytes, BioPerine may reduce inflammation and weaken some immune system responses. BioPerine could possibly contribute to improving your overall production and sharpening your mental abilities, including memory. Piperine may improve the neurotransmission of serotonin and beta-endorphin; both play an important role in memory. It’s possible that people could improve their memory overall by taking supplements with BioPerine.
Some evidence suggests that piperine may have some anti-cancer properties. A publication in “Clinical Laboratory Science” in 2008, for example, suggests that piperine inhibits the growth of colon cancers cells grown in a lab. The exact mechanisms by which the supplement prevents cancer are unknown but is worthy of consideration.
The benefit of supplements with BioPerine
Supplements that contain BioPerine have a higher absorption rate and therefore are more effective than those who lack BioPerine. It boosts the effectiveness of many nutrients that your food contains as well, so using it in a supplement may help your entire body. For these reasons alone, there’s no question that if giving a choice, you should take supplements that contain BioPerine.
