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Bioavailability enhancer

Piperine · Piperine (alkaloid from Piper nigrum, black pepper)

The pungent alkaloid in black pepper, famous for dramatically increasing the bioavailability of curcumin and other poorly absorbed compounds when co-administered.

B
Evidence grade
Human RCTs, biomarker outcomes

Short answer

The landmark human trial showing a 2000% increase in curcumin bioavailability with piperine co-administration is one of the most robust and widely cited findings in the supplement world. Piperine's own direct health benefits are far less studied, but as a bioavailability enhancer it is well-established.

Product and dose overview

Piperine (Piperine (alkaloid from Piper nigrum, black pepper)) is a bioavailability enhancer with evidence grade B, meaning it is supported by human RCTs. We track 1 products containing Piperine. Typical doses range from 5 to 5 mg per serving. The top-ranked product scores 5.4 out of 10 on our composite scale (dose, evidence, price, testing, transparency). Prices range up to $54.87 per month.

Evidence grade: B Products in database: 1 Category: Bioavailability enhancer

Top Piperine products

ProductBrandDosePrice/mo3rd-party testedScore
Berberine 500mg with Ceylon CinnamonViViYouth5 mg$54.87Yes5.4

Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard. See how we score.

What it is

Piperine is the compound responsible for black pepper's characteristic pungency, commercially extracted and standardized (often as Bioperine®) to be added to other supplements — most famously turmeric/curcumin products.

Why people take it

Piperine itself has minimal direct longevity relevance, but it matters enormously for the practical usefulness of other longevity supplements (like curcumin and resveratrol), which are otherwise very poorly absorbed when taken alone.

Our verdict

The landmark human trial showing a 2000% increase in curcumin bioavailability with piperine co-administration is one of the most robust and widely cited findings in the supplement world. Piperine's own direct health benefits are far less studied, but as a bioavailability enhancer it is well-established.

Structure & class

Piperine inhibits hepatic and intestinal glucuronidation and other Phase II metabolism enzymes, and may also inhibit P-glycoprotein efflux transporters, slowing the clearance of co-administered compounds.

Mechanism & clinical data

The foundational human trial (Shoba et al. 1998, Planta Medica) gave volunteers 20 mg piperine alongside 2 g curcumin as a single dose, finding a 2000% increase in curcumin bioavailability in humans (compared to 154% in rats), attributed to piperine's inhibition of curcumin glucuronidation. A review of piperine pharmacokinetics notes the compound itself has poor water solubility and low bioavailability, which is part of why it is typically co-formulated in enhanced-delivery matrices. Animal data (not yet replicated in humans) also suggests piperine can enhance resveratrol bioavailability by a similar mechanism.

Pharmacokinetics

Piperine itself has a relatively short plasma half-life (~1-2 hours) and low intrinsic oral bioavailability; its bioavailability-enhancing effect on co-administered compounds is the primary studied action rather than piperine's own systemic exposure.

Dose & forms

Trial dose
20 mg
/ day
Range in trials
5 to 20 mg
/ day
Common forms
capsule (as co-ingredient), standardized extract (Bioperine®), black pepper extract powder

What to watch out for

By design, increases absorption/blood levels of many co-administered drugs and supplements, which can raise the risk of interactions or unexpectedly elevated drug levels (e.g., with certain prescription medications); can cause GI irritation at higher doses in sensitive individuals.

Where this dose comes from

The trial dose above is our editorial pick from the published human trials for this ingredient. We choose the dose that the best-available studies used on the endpoint most relevant to longevity. The range shows the lowest and highest doses tested in published trials. The landmark studies below are the papers we read to set it. You can click through and check our work.

When new trials publish, our automated sweeps flag them. If a new study materially changes the dose, we update it through editorial review and record the old dose, new dose, and the triggering study in every affected product's recommendation history. The dose is never changed automatically.

Regulatory status

EUSold as a food supplement ingredient/spice extract; permitted as a food additive/flavoring as well.
USGRAS as a spice/flavoring; also sold as a dietary supplement ingredient under DSHEA.
UKAvailable as a food supplement ingredient under retained EU rules.
CAPermitted as a Natural Health Product ingredient by Health Canada, typically in combination products.

Timeline

Regulatory events, evidence grade changes, and key research milestones for Piperine, most recent first. Studies link to the paper; regulatory entries name and link the responsible authority.

  • 2025-04 Regulatory single source
    EU Court sharpens the bar for botanical health claims
    A Court of Justice of the European Union ruling in April 2025 further tightened the requirements for how botanical ingredients (herbs, plant extracts) can be marketed with health claims in the EU, effectively removing much of the flexibility of the on-hold list.
  • 2024-06 Regulatory confirmed
    EU heads of food safety agencies prioritize piperine for restriction
    The HoA Working Group on Food Supplements identified piperine among 12 substances prioritized for Article 8 restriction. Piperine was flagged for possible carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic properties and was among 8 substances that triggered RASFF alerts between 2017 and mid-2022.
    Source →
  • 2024-06 Regulatory confirmed
    EU report identifies 117 supplement substances as potential health risks
    The HoA Working Group on Food Supplements (26 European countries) published its first report evaluating 117 substances used in food supplements. Of these, 65 were assessed as likely novel foods, 6 were already regulated, 34 had insufficient data, and 12 were prioritized for Article 8 restriction under Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006. The 12 priority substances include ashwagandha, curcumin, melatonin, piperine, St. John's wort, coumarin, p-synephrine, maca, holy basil, Melaleuca, black cohosh, and L-tryptophan. The report drew on 1,500 RASFF alerts reviewed between 2017 and mid-2022.
    Source →
  • 2024 Research milestone
    HoA 2024 (BVL/NVWA, EU)
    26-country EU working group prioritized piperine for Article 8 restriction. Flagged for possible carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic properties. Also identified in 8 substances that triggered RASFF alerts between 2017-2022.
    Source →
  • 2006-12 Regulatory confirmed
    EU Health Claims Regulation adopted
    Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 laid down harmonised rules for nutrition and health claims made on foods, including supplements. Only claims listed in the EU Register of authorised claims can be used. Rejected botanical claims are held in a separate on-hold list.
    Source →
  • 1998 Research milestone
    Shoba G, et al. (1998). Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. Planta Med. PMID 9619120.
    Shoba G, et al. (1998). Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. Planta Med. PMID 9619120.
    Source →
  • 1997 Regulatory confirmed
    EU introduces the Novel Food Regulation
    Regulation (EC) No 258/97 required any food or food ingredient without a history of consumption in the EU before 15 May 1997 to be authorised before being placed on the market. This is the framework that captures NMN, spermidine as a supplement ingredient, urolithin A, and many other longevity actives.
    Source →

Landmark studies

Found in these products (1)

All products in our catalog that contain Piperine, ranked by our overall score. Ranking is editorial, never paid.

Metabolic
Ingredients listed
3 ingredients listedlargest listed: Berberine 500 mg
Price per serving
$1.83$54.87 · 30 servings
Testing
3rd-party listed · no public lab certificate

Multi-ingredient bundle

Status as recorded in the catalog from brand materials; not independently verified by NO1GEVITY.

Score & research context 5.4/10

Editorial score, not proof that this product works. Research-dose calculations are not dosing advice.

56%
of trial dose
$5.49
per research-dose day, not label serving
0Trial dose2×
Catalog price · Confirm current price with viviyouth.com
Editorial guides

Buying guides and comparisons

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See Piperine in context: the mechanism it acts through, the biomarker it moves, the products that dose it, and the trials that tested it.

View Piperine on the Longevity Map →

Frequently asked questions

What is Piperine?

Piperine is the compound responsible for black pepper's characteristic pungency, commercially extracted and standardized (often as Bioperine®) to be added to other supplements — most famously turmeric/curcumin products.

What dose of Piperine should I take?

The trial dose in published human studies is 20 mg per day, with a range of 5 to 20 mg per day. Always consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement.

Is Piperine safe?

By design, increases absorption/blood levels of many co-administered drugs and supplements, which can raise the risk of interactions or unexpectedly elevated drug levels (e.g., with certain prescription medications); can cause GI irritation at higher doses in sensitive individuals.

What is the best Piperine supplement?

We track 1 products containing Piperine. The top-ranked product scores 5.4 out of 10 on our composite scale, which evaluates dose, evidence, price, third-party testing, and transparency. See the comparison table above. Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard.

What is the evidence grade for Piperine?

Piperine has evidence grade B, meaning it is supported by human RCTs. Grade A means replicated human RCTs with hard endpoints. Grade B means human RCTs with biomarker outcomes. Grade C means mixed or small human trials. See our evidence grading methodology.

Independently checked

Data verification

Evidence grade
B
Human RCTs, biomarker outcomes
Research dose
20 mg
Products tracked
1
Updated continuously
Safety signal
By design, increases absorption/blood levels of many co-a...

Evidence grades are reviewed when new human RCTs are published. Product counts update automatically as new products are added. Dose ranges reflect published trial data, not brand recommendations. Read how we verify.