Black peppercorns, some cracked open to show pale interiors. ← The FormularyDigestion

Black pepper

Also known as Piperine, Piper nigrum
BEVIDENCE

Not an active. A reason the actives arrive.

The honest take
A supporting player that gets marketed like a star. It does one job, it does it well, and it is not why you would buy anything.
What it is
An extract of ordinary black pepper, standardised for piperine.
How it works
Inhibits gut and liver enzymes and slows intestinal transit, so more of a compound survives first pass.
What it does
Slows the enzymes that break compounds down before they reach the blood, so more of what is in the capsule arrives.
Who it's for
Nobody, on its own. It is a formulation decision.
How to use it
Whatever the product it sits inside says.
What to expect
Nothing you could feel. That is the point.
The research
Most of the evidence is on curcumin. Read across to other compounds carefully.

Read the labelIt raises absorption of other things, including medication. Worth mentioning to a doctor if you take prescription drugs.

Evidence grades describe how well an ingredient is studied — A well-supported, C emerging — not a promise of results. Educational, not medical advice. Doses are typical ranges; follow the label on the product.