Can Black Seed Oil Help With Weight Loss?
Black seed, aka black cumin, black caraway, fennel, and Roman coriander, is known around the world for its healing properties. A flowering plant found across Asia and the Mediterranean, black seed has been touted for thousands of years for its therapeutic benefits (per Healthline).
Black seed has a reputation for helping boost the immune system, ease hay fever and allergic reactions by acting as an antihistamine, and treat skin conditions such as dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis, although WebMD notes solid scientific evidence to support many of these uses is lacking.
On the other hand, research has shown that black seed oil actually may help with weight loss. It can be taken as an oil or in capsule form, and can help accomplish your weight loss goals in a safe manner.
Benefits and risks of black seed oil
According to Medical News Today, there is a wealth of research that has found black seed oil taken as a supplement can actually help people lose weight. In a 2015 study published in Food & Function, researchers performed clinical trials on 90 women with obesity between the ages of 25 and 50 for eight weeks. The trial involved giving all participants three low-calorie meals per day. Each meal was served with a placebo or a gram of black seed oil. By the end of the study, researchers found that the women who consumed black seed oil not only lost more weight but their triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels improved.
A 2021 study published in the Journal of Food & Biochemistry involved giving rats black seed oil on a high-fat diet, and revealed that the supplement can be used to prevent and treat obesity and insulin resistance.
It's always important to speak with a healthcare provider before starting a new health regimen, including taking supplements. While the risks of taking black seed oil may be minimal, Verywell Health reported some side effects can include toxicity, organ damage, allergic reaction, and blood clotting. And if you take any beta-blockers, you could experience side effects. Discuss taking black seed oil with your doctor, just to be safe.