Piperine is the alkaloid which is responsible for the strong hot taste and spiciness of black and other types of peppers. Piperine is what gives black pepper (Piper nigrum) its specific strong taste and makes it a wonderful spice, but it is also considered as a natural remedy for obesity and obesity-related conditions and diseases. Black pepper and piperine have been traditionally used in ancient eastern cultures for the reduction of fat cells in the human blood stream, as well as for helping manage pain, inflammation or gastrointestinal illnesses.
Tests have shown that piperine has an anti-inflammatory and an anti-arthritis effect, and also enhances memory, cognition and learning, as well as the fact that it acts like a natural antidepressant.
A recent study at the University of Michigan’s found that piperine (from black pepper) along with curcumin (from turmeric) seemed to play a leading role in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. The reasoning behind this is the fact that the combination of these two natural elements actually targeted and controlled the cancerous stem cells responsible for the development and growth of cancerous tumors directly. At the same time, the two spicy substances were not registered as toxic to healthy breast tissue.
Another research has delved into the correlation between the active phenolic compound found in black pepper – piperine and pain and inflammation reduction, especially in cases of arthritis. This and an additional positive effect of piperine was found – it limits diabetes related complications, and as a powerful antioxidant, it can stop colon cancer and even cure it.
Piperine contains potent antioxidants called polyphenols, which protect the organism from diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer and other age-related diseases caused by harmful oxidation and toxins.
Black pepper helps the gastrointestinal system, by stimulating the taste buds with its spicy taste. The stomach is alerted by the mouth that a boost in digestive juices is necessary, which leads to an overall improvement of the whole digestive system. At the same time, piperine further helps the digestive system by stimulating the amino-acid transporters in the intestinal linings, as well as regulates the enzymes which are responsible for metabolizing the nutrient substances and the removal of these substances from the cells. This allows for the essential nutrients to enter the right cells and remain there for longer.
The spicier a pepper is, the more piperine it contains. By grinding a whole pepper right before putting it in a meal, the best of the piperine is derived. Also, never place the black pepper in the meal while it is still cooking, because it loses most of its flavor and healthy nutrients, such as Vitamin C, when thermally prepared.
Piperine also has been found to induce the production of beta-endorphins, to increase the production of serotonin and brain functioning as a whole, which acts as a natural antidepressant and a memory and learning enhancer. At the same time, it relieves pain, stimulates the production of melatonin in the organism, and reduces stomach acid production, and thus ulcers and even colon cancer.
Since piperine increases the release of serotonin in the brain, it is a common active ingredient in various party pills like NeuroBlaster and Hi-Octane.
