At 3 cents a day, black cumin can improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels, blood pressure, and glycemic control, and promote body fat loss.
Black cumin, also known as Nigella sativa or simply “black species”, has nothing to do with cumin. They are not the carrot family, they are members of the Buttercup family. Pepper-flavored black cumin is a spice commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine, but is also highly regarded for its medicinal benefits. It is known as the “miracle herb” and has a reference that dates back to the Old Testament, which we find to be cached in King Tutu’s tomb. “The Islamic prophet Muhammad once said that the black species can heal all diseases except death.” However, only in the last 50 years or so it has been tested, but has reached its peak with over 1,000 papers published in the medical literature.
Typical doses used in studies are one or two grams a day, only one teaspoon. This allows researchers to perform randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials by incorporating whole food spice powder into capsules rather than studying ingredients or extracts.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials showed that daily black cumin consumption significantly improved cholesterol and triglycerides. Researchers also found that not only improve blood pressure, but also improves glycemic control. Some of the results are very extraordinary. For example, one study found that postmenopausal women reduced LDL cholesterol by 27% within two months in black cumin powder, randomized to grams (less than one teaspoon) per day, significantly better than placebo. These are the kinds of results you would expect from a statin drug, but were achieved simply by the value of sprinkles. Black cumin can also be useful for menopause symptoms.
Now it looks like nothing’s fixed. A month after I stopped spice, cholesterol levels creep up at 2:00 with the benefits of the black cumin seeds (Nigella sativa) video for weight loss, for example, but it looks cheap, safe, effective and a nasty treatment. And the side effects include loss of appetite and weight loss!
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled weight loss trials found that about a quarter of black cumin powder per day appears to cause weight loss within months. If it really can benefit so many aspects of health, why not ask about it more? Why didn’t I teach that in medical school? Probably because there is little profit motive. Black cumin is a common natural spice. The daily dose used in most of these studies costs about 3 cents per day. Shareholders are unable to obtain patents and only cost three pennies a day. Black cumin has become a staple in my family’s daily meals. I fill the kitchen table with a chili pepper mill and grind it into food just like the black pepper.
