Black Pepper Extract
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Black Pepper Extract (Piper nigrum) is a dietary supplement with 10 published peer-reviewed studies involving 620 participants, researched for Bioavailability Enhancement, Antioxidant Support, Metabolic Health.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Bioavailability Enhancement
ModerateAntioxidant Support
ModerateMetabolic Health
StrongResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Bioavailability Enhancement
To determine if piperine enhances bioavailability of curcumin in human subjects
Study Type
Randomised, crossover
Purpose
To determine if piperine enhances bioavailability of curcumin in human subjects
Dose
20 mg piperine with 2000 mg curcumin
Participants
8 healthy adults
Duration
Single dose crossover
Results
Co-administration of piperine increased curcumin bioavailability by 2000% compared to curcumin alone.
How They Measured It
Serum curcumin concentration, AUC
To evaluate piperine effect on resveratrol bioavailability
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate piperine effect on resveratrol bioavailability
Dose
20 mg piperine with 500 mg resveratrol
Participants
23 healthy adults
Duration
Single dose crossover
Results
Piperine co-administration significantly increased resveratrol plasma levels (229% increase in Cmax).
How They Measured It
Plasma resveratrol AUC
To test piperine's effect on absorption of selenium and vitamin B6
Study Type
Randomised, open-label
Purpose
To test piperine's effect on absorption of selenium and vitamin B6
Dose
5 mg piperine
Participants
50 healthy adults
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Piperine significantly increased plasma selenium by 30% and vitamin B6 by 25% vs control.
How They Measured It
Plasma selenium and pyridoxal-5-phosphate
To examine piperine effect on bioavailability of coenzyme Q10
Study Type
Randomised, controlled trial
Purpose
To examine piperine effect on bioavailability of coenzyme Q10
Dose
5 mg piperine with 120 mg CoQ10
Participants
30 healthy adults
Duration
Single dose
Results
CoQ10 plasma levels 30% higher with piperine vs without (p<0.05).
How They Measured It
Plasma CoQ10 levels
Antioxidant Support
To evaluate piperine supplementation on oxidative stress markers in healthy adults
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate piperine supplementation on oxidative stress markers in healthy adults
Dose
10 mg/day
Participants
40 healthy adults
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant reduction in MDA and increase in SOD activity vs placebo (p<0.05).
How They Measured It
MDA, SOD activity, catalase
To investigate anti-inflammatory effects of piperine in adults with metabolic syndrome
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, controlled
Purpose
To investigate anti-inflammatory effects of piperine in adults with metabolic syndrome
Dose
10 mg/day
Participants
60 adults with metabolic syndrome
Duration
12 weeks
Results
CRP reduced by 35% and IL-6 by 22% vs placebo (p<0.01).
How They Measured It
CRP, IL-6, TNF-a
Metabolic Health
To assess piperine effect on lipid profiles in type 2 diabetic patients
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess piperine effect on lipid profiles in type 2 diabetic patients
Dose
10 mg/day
Participants
76 type 2 diabetic patients
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant reduction in total cholesterol and LDL with improvement in HDL vs placebo.
How They Measured It
Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides
To evaluate piperine's thermogenic effects and impact on body composition
Study Type
Randomised, controlled
Purpose
To evaluate piperine's thermogenic effects and impact on body composition
Dose
20 mg/day
Participants
50 overweight adults
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Modest but significant reduction in body fat percentage and increased energy expenditure vs placebo.
How They Measured It
Body weight, BMI, fat mass, energy expenditure
To assess piperine supplementation on blood glucose and insulin sensitivity
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess piperine supplementation on blood glucose and insulin sensitivity
Dose
10 mg/day
Participants
64 overweight adults
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Fasting glucose reduced by 8% and HOMA-IR improved significantly vs placebo.
How They Measured It
Fasting blood glucose, HOMA-IR, insulin
To summarise molecular and pharmacological aspects of piperine in disease prevention
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To summarise molecular and pharmacological aspects of piperine in disease prevention
Dose
Various
Participants
Review of multiple trials
Duration
Various
Results
Piperine demonstrated consistent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and bioavailability-enhancing effects across clinical studies.
How They Measured It
Systematic review of clinical evidence
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Black Pepper Extract research
There are currently 10 peer-reviewed studies on Black Pepper Extract (Piper nigrum), involving 620 total participants. Research covers Bioavailability enhancement, Antioxidant support, Metabolic health. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (10 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Black Pepper Extract has been researched for: Bioavailability enhancement, Antioxidant support, Metabolic health. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 10 out of 10 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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