In almost two years of the pandemic, interest in the search for non-synthetics has rekindled among scientists alternatives to antibiotics. Herbs and there are already a lot of spices the best of the century thus showing their powerful antimicrobial properties against various pathogens and successfully are used as alternative natural antibiotics.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) – widely used spice, food preservative and dye, which has a biological effect and medicinal use. Curcumin isolated from its rhizome has been claimed as a remedy against numerous diseases due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, turmeric itself is poorly absorbed in the digestive system because it has low solubility in water and is quickly excreted from the body in an almost primary form. That is why scientists have directed efforts to study combinations of the simultaneous use of turmeric and black pepper, whose chemical components complement each other, enhancing their natural healing properties.
It has long been proven that black pepper (Piper nigrum) has powerful antioxidant properties, and the piperine in its composition promotes the absorption of selenium, vitamin B complex, beta-carotene and curcumin, as well as other nutrients. In addition, this active alkaloid enhances the thermogenesis of lipids and increases the flow of digestive juices. Recent studies claim that not only piperine, but also its other aromatic and terpene components can contribute to strengthening the antioxidant activity of turmeric.
The mixture of turmeric and black pepper significantly increases bioavailability curcuminoids. Even when eating foods high in fat and carbohydrates, the use of a mixture of these spices in the calculation (30% ground turmeric to 7-10% ground black pepper) proved their powerful hepatoprotective effect, which undoubtedly has a positive effect on the body as a whole and strengthens immunity.
According to research Dewi Setyaningsih Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Bio-pharmacy, University of Groningen, the Netherlands, March 2021.