11 Kitchen Spices That Work Better Than Your Medicine Cabinet

5. Black Pepper — Small spice, big bioavailability boost

Black pepper is more than a table seasoning; its active compound piperine boosts absorption of several nutrients and plant compounds, most famously curcumin from turmeric. That’s why many traditional recipes pair turmeric with black pepper. Beyond improving bioavailability, black pepper stimulates digestion and adds warming flavor to dishes. Try crushing a few peppercorns over cooked lentils, adding freshly ground pepper to vegetable sautés, or grinding on eggs for breakfast. While pepper in food is safe for most, very large amounts may irritate the stomach or interact with certain medications by altering how the body handles them. Using moderate amounts in everyday cooking is an easy, low-risk way to enhance the nutritional punch of other spices you already use, especially when you want to make turmeric-based remedies more effective in a home setting.