What is piperine?
Piperine is the compound that makes black pepper hot, added to turmeric supplements because it slows the body's breakdown of curcumin.
Think of piperine as someone slowing down the cleaning crew. With the crew slowed, curcumin stays in the room longer, but so might other things the crew would normally clear away.
Why it matters for aging
Piperine works by slowing liver and gut processes that tag substances for removal. That can raise blood levels of curcumin, but also of some drugs, which is why combining piperine supplements with medication deserves a check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Some turmeric products linked to liver injury cases also contained black pepper extract, though it's not clear whether piperine contributed.
A common myth
Black pepper makes turmeric 2,000 percent more effective.
That figure comes from a small 1998 pilot study and hasn't been reliably reproduced. Piperine can also slow the breakdown of some medications, so it's not entirely harmless in supplements.
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Updated Nov 9, 2026 · All terms