What makes turmeric and pepper the ultimate pair for health and wellness

Turmeric and pepper, when combined, create a dynamic duo that goes beyond adding colour and flavour to your favourite dishes – they pack a powerful punch in terms of health benefits too. The synergy between these two spices enhances their individual properties, making them an ultimate healthy pair. Let us take a quick glimpse at why that happens.

Curcumin and piperine

Turmeric, also called the golden spice, contains curcumin, a bioactive compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Curcumin has been linked to numerous health benefits, including reducing inflammation, supporting joint health, and contributing to heart health. Pepper, particularly black pepper, owes its pungency to piperine. Beyond adding a spicy kick to dishes, piperine is known to enhance nutrient absorption. It does this by inhibiting enzymes that break down some nutrients in the digestive tract, leading to increased bioavailability of beneficial compounds.

Enhanced curcumin absorption

Curcumin, on its own, has low bioavailability, meaning the body absorbs and utilises it inefficiently. Piperine comes to the rescue by inhibiting the liver's metabolism of curcumin, allowing more of it to enter the bloodstream. This enhanced absorption significantly boosts the effectiveness of curcumin in providing health benefits.

Anti-Inflammatory combination

Chronic inflammation is associated with various health issues, from arthritis to heart disease. The combination of curcumin and piperine creates a potent anti-inflammatory mechanism, making turmeric and pepper valuable in managing inflammation and potentially reducing the risk of related conditions.

Joint and digestive health

The anti-inflammatory properties of the turmeric-pepper combo may contribute to joint health, offering relief to individuals dealing with conditions like arthritis. Additionally, the spices support digestive health by reducing inflammation in the digestive tract.

How to have them together?

Both turmeric and pepper are strong, hence consuming small amounts of both is recommended. To extract the magical benefits of both the spices, you can make a simple kadha. In boiling water, add 1 teaspoon of turmeric and half teaspoon of pepper. Crush some basil leaves and add. After boiling for 2 mins, add a tablespoon of jaggery. Strain and drink this warm.