A study from Brazil suggests that the combination of curcumin and piperine, the active ingredient in black pepper, may be even more effective than curcumin alone at improving blood sugar, and triglyceride levels in diabetics.
The double-blind study involving 71 individuals tested a group taking daily intake of 500 mg/day of curcumin with 5 mg of piperine against a placebo group over 120 days. Several measurements were taken at the beginning of the study, at 60 days, and at the conclusion.
The results showed the curcumin/piperine combination provided significant reductions in blood sugar levels, glycated haemoglobin levels (a marker of high blood sugar levels in recent months), and triglycerides.