Pepper

Black pepper has been used for many years, it is applied in many traditional medicine systems and is considered a popular culinary spice. Black pepper belongs to a vines with long, smooth stems, roots clinging to walls or other stems to reach further. Leaves are like betel leaves but longer or more oblong. The leaf interstitium has two main branches, the branch that carries fruit and the branch that provides nutrients for the plant. The pepper fruit is small, spherical, grows in clusters of 20 to 30 fruits, initially green, then red, ripe fruits are yellow and when dried, the finished product is black pepper. The main bioactive component of pepper is an alkaloid known as piperine. Black pepper extracts also contain many other isomers (forms) of piperine that are believed to have health-promoting effects. Supplements containing black pepper extract are used to boost metabolism and aid in weight loss , prevent oxidative damage, support immune function, and stimulate digestion. Piperine is also often combined with curcumin and other supplement ingredients to enhance their absorption from the gut. Research shows that this compound may increase the oral bioavailability of many medications and supplements.