Turmeric and black pepper are a powerful combination of spices because according to scientists, black pepper tends to enhance the anti-inflammation effects of turmeric.
Some food items are meant to go together, it would seem. We’ve already talked about turmeric and its health benefits, but we haven’t really talked about what his companions might be. It would seem that black pepper is a natural in that regard because the two spices can work together so much better than they work apart. As science is still exploring the health benefits of turmeric, but the results are encouraging, we now know that we should use black pepper as well, in the same meals.
Both turmeric and black pepper have key active ingredients that are pretty good for you, as research suggests. Both of them have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and disease-fighting properties.
So don’t forget to add pepper to this roasted chicken with turmeric rice!
Why turmeric and black pepper go together
Curcumin, the most potent ingredient in turmeric, has trouble being absorbed in the body. It’s a strong antioxidant and it has the best anti-inflammatory properties. Enter black pepper, which contains the compound piperine, a bioactive one that helps relieve nausea, headaches and poor digestion. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.
But here’s the kicker: piperine’s special power might just well be the fact that it has the ability to boost the absorption of curcumin in your body, by a whopping 2,000 percent!
Scientists believe that piperine makes it easier for curcumin to pass through the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream. But also, it may slow down the breakdown of curcumin by the liver. This means that the combination of turmeric and black pepper boosts the health benefits in a significant way.
If you want more turmeric, then check out these 10 simple ideas on how to cook with it.
Featured image by M Ameen from Pixabay
