Khaberni - A new study reveals the ability of black seed to reduce blood lipids.
The study was conducted under the leadership of researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University in Japan, and the results were published in the Journal of Food Science and Nutrition in September, written about by the site EurekAlert.
Black seed grows in the Mediterranean basin and is part of the anise family, and the fruit of this plant contains a capsule, inside which are white seeds that turn black upon exposure to air, also known as black seed or black cumin.
Black seed has been used for a long time as a medicinal plant in traditional medicine for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
A research team, led by Assistant Professor Akiko Kojima Yoasa from the Graduate School of Human Life Science and Environment, used cellular experiments and clinical trials on humans to reveal the benefits of consuming black seed.
Food that Protects against Diseases
Participants who consumed 5 grams of black seed powder daily—about equivalent to one tablespoon—for 8 weeks showed a significant decrease in triglyceride levels, harmful cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein (LDL)), and total cholesterol. In addition, levels of good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein (HDL)) increased.
These improvements in blood lipid levels are linked to a decreased risk of heart disease and premature death.
The team also conducted cellular experiments to understand the processes that lead to these results in humans, finding that an extract of black black seed inhibits the formation and maturation of fat cells, by preventing the accumulation of fat droplets and the differentiation process.
Dr. Akiko stated, "This study strongly suggests the benefit of black black seed as a functional food for preventing obesity and lifestyle-related diseases."
She added, "It was our pleasure to see black black seed comprehensively demonstrating actual and tangible effects in reducing blood lipid levels in a human trial."
Dr. Akiko hopes to conduct long-term and wide-ranging clinical trials to study the effects of black black seed on metabolism.
She explained that they are particularly interested in studying its effects on insulin resistance in diabetic patients and inflammatory markers.
