Black pepper’s piperine is the active compound that makes it useful for absorption. Supplement makers often pair it with curcumin, resveratrol, or coenzyme Q10 to increase those nutrients’ bioavailability. Some people also take it to support digestion because piperine may stimulate digestive enzymes.
You can take black pepper as a spice with meals or as a standardized extract like BioPerine in a capsule. Small doses do the job. High doses can cause stomach discomfort, so stick to the recommended amount.