The hack
Your body absorbs very little of turmeric’s curcumin and clears it quickly. Piperine, the compound that makes black pepper hot, slows that clearance: in one study it raised curcumin levels in the blood about twentyfold.
Do this
Whenever you use turmeric, add a pinch of black pepper — and a little fat, since curcumin is fat-soluble. Curries, dal and golden milk usually have both built in.
How much
A quarter teaspoon of turmeric with a pinch of pepper is a sensible daily amount from food. See Turmeric.