The subtle, yet potent properties of Bioperine® have been measured in several clinical studies with healthy volunteers in the U.S. These studies measured the absorption of three distinct categories of products. The categories evaluated with and without Bioperine® were fat- soluble (beta-carotene), water-soluble (vitamin B 6 ) and a mineral (selenium, in the form of selenomethionine). Gastrointestinal absorption of all the studied nutrients, as measured by amounts present in the blood, increased dramatically when administered with Bioperine® as compared to the control group receiving the nutrient alone. Selenium levels increased by 30%, beta-carotene increased by 60%, and the vitamin B 6 increase was slightly higher than beta-carotene. All studies used Bioperine® in the amount of 5 mg per dose.

Truth in ancient wisdom

A recognized feature of the 6000-year-old practice of Ayurveda is its preoccupation with the proper functioning of the digestive tract, specifically the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Nearly two-thirds of all traditional Ayurvedic formulas contain a special blend of ingredients, which includes black pepper, for this purpose.

There are various reasons discussed in scientific literature for the unfavorable nutritional status of a given population, but the focus essentially comes down to one single problem-nutrient bioavailability. By far, the greatest factors that reduce the bioavailability of nutrients are those that diminish the intestine's absorption capacity. Even today, there is a growing consensus among nutritionists that the obstacle to better nutrition clearly lies in the efficient delivery of nutrients to the body. It is not what you eat that counts, it is what you absorb .