razorozx

joined 1 month ago
[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (2 children)

I agree with 'superfoods not being real'. The only thing that I can definitely say qualifies somewhere close to a 'superfood' is black pepper and long pepper.

Black pepper and long pepper have a compound called piperine. Piperine drastically improves nutrient absorption.

Curcumin/Turmeric is often taken as a supplement, however, it has a very very low bioavailability (like 1% gets absorbed or something -- don't quote me on that). So it is commonly paired with black pepper, or more distinctly, piperine. Piperine increases its bioavailability by 2,000%!! Which literally means that you absorb 2,000% more than if you were to take curcumin/turmeric by itself!

I am unsure how it affects other nutrients, but I am certain that it also improves absorption. There are products that sell piperine itself. Most notably Bioperin.

WARNING: Piperine also increases absorption of certain drugs as well. Do not take piperine with any drug unless you know what you're doing!

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bioperine-and-piperine-supplement-benefits#1.-May-increase-nutrient-absorption