Using black cumin seed seed oil for its many health benefits, including weight loss, has recently become popular.
Taking black seed oil has seemingly countless benefits. Research shows that it may help everything from arthritis to asthma, memory, and mood. In this post, learn about the scientifically proven benefits of black cumin seed oil, how to use it, and ways it works to help people to stay leaner.
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What is Black Cumin Seed Oil?
Black cumin seeds are tiny black seeds used as a spice and is used to make the extract called black seed oil, a popular supplement for health. Not to be confused with cumin, black cumin seed is different than common cumin seed (Cuminum cyminum) which is popular in Latin American dishes. In contrast, black cumin seed is more commonly used in Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine.
Also known as Nigella sativa, black caraway, and kalonji oil, black seed oil is a spice that has been used for many purposes. Lately, it has gained the attention of researchers for its ability to help reduce body weight.
To cook with black cumin seeds, simply toast the seeds in a pan and add it to any savory dish. You can also supplement black cumin seed oil for its health benefits.
Black Cumin Seed Oil for Weight Loss
By reducing appetite, and body fat, and reducing inflammation, this black cumin seed has some remarkable effects on helping people stay healthy.
For example, one study of 875 people concluded that black seed oil significantly reduced the body mass index of participants. Another study confirmed these benefits, with black cumin seed users losing significantly more weight than those getting a placebo. They lost an average of about 4.5 lbs (2 kg), had a reduction in belly size, and also had a lower BMI after treatment.
Yet another study found that overweight women had a reduction in BMI and LDL cholesterol while having an increase in healthy HDL levels and an increase in exercise capacity. This study used 2 grams per day of black seed oil given as capsules.
Although the weight loss benefits of black seed oil are clear, it is best to combine it with a healthy diet and other strategies to support healthy weight, such as intermittent fasting, fermented foods like raw sauerkraut, apple cider vinegar, and regular exercise.
Black Cumin Seed Helps Reduces Blood Sugar Levels
Using black cumin seed oil has the ability to help lower blood sugar as well. This is part of why it helps people with their weight loss efforts. By reducing glucose absorption and improving glucose tolerance by enhancing insulin sensitivity, black seed oil may help people who have Type 2 Diabetes.
Black seed oil helps lower blood sugar and may do so by increasing insulin receptor production and reducing inflammation. For example, research suggests black seed oil reduces fasting glucose levels by almost 30% compared to standard treatment which reduces fasting glucose by 18%.
Several other studies have confirmed the beneficial effects of black seed oil on diabetes symptoms as well.
Black Cumin Seed Oil for Weight Loss Reviews
There are thousands upon thousands of positive reviews about black seed oil’s benefits. Many people find that they have fewer aches and pains. This allows them to exercise more and have more energy.
People report losing between 12-17 pounds as a benefit of using this healthy oil as well.
Other Amazon reviews of black seed oil for weight loss:
This is a great product
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2022
Have regular bowel movements, even lost a couple of pounds. It’s a difference when you stop taking it
Mattie Jones
Unbelievable results in two months
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2022
I don’t review herbal supplements and am generally skeptical of the efficacy of most. I began taking ibuprofen for back pain and inflammation like candy 2-3 years ago and struggled with flexibility in my golf game due to stiffness and general inflammation for years. I stumbled on black seed oil by accident and gave it a try. It took about a month to notice, but holy crap, it worked for me and I haven’t touched an NSAID in two months. Imagine the improvement just in my digestive system. None of my doctors have even heard of it. I tried this specific product based on reviews and it’s awesome. On an empty stomach it will burn you, otherwise it’s fine. My BP also dropped, but stopping the NSAID consumption daily undoubtedly helped BP. I’m now a believer in black seed oil!
Libh8ter
Supplement full of miracles
5.0 out of 5 stars
This was the first time I took the black seed oil, we shared the bottle with my daughter, she’s been having problems with PCOS, weight gain, exercises and diet weren’t working, combined with seamoss we’ve seen great results. I was experiencing inflammation in the body and weight gain after an hysterectomy, I finally lost weight and it’s been helping with my Lymphedema problem as well, we’re so happy with this.
Aleida T.
Works Great for Aching Joints
5.0 out of 5 stars
I use this daily for my arthritis, and it makes a huge difference in the way I feel. There are also many other benefits such as weight loss, and skin conditions (helps my psoriasis). Taste? It’s in a capsule so it has no flavor.
Janet O
Magically reduced my cravings for sugary foods and helped my skin and hair!
5.0 out of 5 stars
I have read that black seed oil helps with pain, but I was not experiencing any pain when I began taking it. I started taking it to help prevent cancerous cell growth and for hair & skin health. But to my surprise, this stuff took away my cravings for sweets and it reduced my appetite. I actually lost about 6 pounds in 2 weeks. Not sure what is in it to take away the appetite, but I do not desire sugary fatty foods ever since I started taking it. When I realized this, I started doing research on black seed oil, and I found a substantial amount of research online that confirmed that it does seem to stop fat storage. If you don’t believe me, google “black seed oil and weight loss” and you will see what I am talking about.
Other positive effects I’ve noticed since I have been taking this supplement:
I also have increased energy.
My skin feels nice
My hair feels nice.
I am 51 years old. I surely do wish I would have discovered black seed oil way before now. But I’m glad I know about it now, and I will not go a day without taking it!
DeeDee
Black Seed Oil for Gut Immunity
Besides helping promote a healthy weight, black seed oil has many other potential health benefits including supporting immunity by enhancing gut health. By helping to heal your gut, black seed oil has countless benefits for the body.
Black Cumin Seed for Immunity
As a strong antioxidant, black cumin seed oil may help improve your body’s immune response in the gut and in your bloodstream. In fact, one study shows that black seed oil helped fight hepatitis C infections. It helps immunity by reducing the viral load and also improving liver function in these patients. This particular research study used 500 mg per day in capsule form over a period of 4 weeks.
Using black seed oil alongside standard treatment for H. Pylori infections was superior to standard treatment alone in a study of 88 patients undergoing treatment for this stomach infection.
Additionally, using black seed oil helped improve immune function in people who have a condition called rheumatoid arthritis.
Black Cumin Seed Helps Heart Health
As a potent antioxidant, black cumin seed oil helps with many aspects of cardiovascular health. In particular, it helps decrease cholesterol levels by lowering harmful LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
In a clinical study of 300 patients, black cumin seed oil was very beneficial for helping reduce cholesterol in people with dyslipidemia. Combined with garlic and conventional statin therapy, black cumin seed oil helped reduce LDL cholesterol and triglycerides more than statin therapy alone.
Several clinical trials show that black cumin seed oil helps reduce blood pressure levels. A review of 11 clinical trials concluded that black cumin seed oil reduces systolic blood pressure about 8 points and diastolic blood pressure by 5 points.
Related post: Black Garlic’s Potent Health Benefits
Black Cumin Seed Oil Helps Diabetes
One of the beneficial effects of black cumin seed oil is that it helps reduce blood sugar levels. In a clinical trial of 94 people with Type 2 Diabetes, adding 2 grams of black cumin seed oil per day over 3 months reduced hemoglobin A1C levels by an average of 1.5% above and beyond their standard treatments.
A review of 7 clinical trials concluded that black cumin seed oil at doses between 2-3 grams per day significantly reduces fasting blood glucose, post-meal blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C, and insulin resistance.
Importantly, black cumin seed oil has a high safety profile and less side effects than many current conventional diabetes medications.
Black Cumin Seed Oil is Great for Skin Health
Using black cumin seed oil has been shown to be possibly effective for helping improve skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. It has also been used topically to help fight acne and reduces skin inflammation.
A topical cream with black cumin seed oil effectively helped repigment skin in people suffering from vitiligo as well.
As a strong antioxidant oil, black cumin seed oil may also reduce the risk of skin cancer. Thymoquinone in black cumin seed has anti-tumor activity in early research.
However, there is a chance that you could get contact dermatitis from topical use. More research is needed to determine if using dietary supplements of black cumin seed oil also helps these conditions.
Black Cumin Seed Oil Helps Lung Health
Black cumin seed oil helps dampen inflammation, so it is no surprise that it may help with lung conditions. In particular, one clinical study showed that using black cumin seed oil improved lung function and reduced inflammation in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Due to its antioxidant effects, black cumin seed oil may also help prevent lung cancer as part of a healthy lifestyle.
According to a review of 4 clinical studies, black cumin seed oil also helps alleviate allergy symptoms, including some lung symptoms.
Black Cumin Seed Oil May Reduce Allergies
In a review of 8 clinical trials, black cumin seed oil was effective for reducing allergy symptoms. This included a reduction in nasal symptoms. As a nasal spray, black cumin seed oil also helped reduce allergy symptoms. While more research is needed, using black seed oil for allergies is a safe option to try.
Black Cumin Seed Oil Helps Sleep Quality
Black cumin seed oil improves sleep quality specifically by improving REM sleep according to a small clinical study. In another clinical study of 70 patients, black cumin seed oil improved many aspects of sleep, including falling asleep, staying asleep, and total sleep time. Both of these studies used a standardized preparation of black cumin seed oil called BCO-5 at 200 mg per day.
Black Cumin Seed is Good For Liver Health and Gut Health
As a plant that is rich in antioxidants, black cumin seed oil has been shown to help improve liver function. In a review of 8 clinical trials, black cumin seed oil was effective in improving liver function enzyme levels.
This healthy spice also protects the liver by dampening inflammation and reducing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease according to a clinical study. It also supports gut health by reducing inflammation and harmful bacteria.
Black Cumin Seed Oil Protects Brain and Nerve Health
Many preclinical trials demonstrate that black cumin seed oil may protect the body from neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
One clinical study of 40 elderly people showed that black cumin seed oil at doses of 500 mg twice daily improved many aspects of brain health including memory, attention and cognition. In healthy adolescents, black cumin seed oil reduced anxiety symptoms and improved cognitive function.
While we wait for more clinical trials, black cumin seed oil is a safe food to add to your diet to help reduce inflammation in your body.
Black Cumin Seed Oil May Reduce Fatigue
Many reviewers of black cumin seed oil note that they have improved energy when taking this supplement. Preclinical research also suggests that black cumin seed oil has anti-fatigue properties because it increases blood oxygen content and also increases glycogen stores while reducing oxidative stress.
Side Effects of Black Seed Oil
Supplementing black seed oil for weight loss is safe according to research. Doses of black seed up to 5 ml per day (or 5 grams a day) have no known toxic effects on the body.
No changes in laboratory parameters are seen in regard to safety with the use of black seed oil. In fact, some research shows improvement in liver and kidney function tests with black seed oil supplements.
Occasionally, rashes can occur if this oil is used topically. Nausea and bloating have been rarely reported with black seed oil use.
Additionally, black seed oil may interfere with some kinds of medications so you should always check with your healthcare provider first before using black seed oil.
Best Time to Take Black Seed Oil
It is best to take black seed oil twice daily on an empty stomach. Some research shows that black seed oil can improve sleep quality so you can take it before bedtime.
Disclaimer
The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other medical body and is shared for educational purposes only. While The Healthy RD’s posts are backed by research, you are unique, so you must seek care from your own dietitian or healthcare provider. This post is not meant to diagnose or treat any conditions. Consult your doctor or healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement regimen or lifestyle.
Wow this sounds promising. I will try this. Thanks