Nigella sativa (black cumin), the spice that boosts the flavor of curries like korma and paneer also has another use: its seeds have long been used as a medicinal plant in traditional medicine for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Now, a clinical trial led by Osaka Metropolitan University suggests that they also have anti-obesity benefits.
To investigate these effects, a team led by Associate Professor Akiko Kojima-Yuasa of the Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology used cellular experiments and human clinical trials.
In the human clinical trial, participants who consumed 5g of black cumin seed powder daily—roughly a tablespoon—for 8 weeks showed significant reductions in blood triglycerides, LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels. In addition, HDL (‘good’) cholesterol levels increased.
Improvements in blood lipid profiles like these are associated with a lower risk of heart problems and premature death.
The group also performed cellular experiments to understand the processes involved. They found that black cumin seed extract inhibited adipogenesis—the formation and maturation of fat cells—by blocking both fat droplet accumulation and the differentiation process.
“This study strongly suggests that black cumin seeds are useful as a functional food for preventing obesity and lifestyle-related diseases,” Professor Kojima-Yuasa said. “It was so gratifying to see black cumin comprehensively demonstrate actual, demonstrable blood lipid-lowering effects in a human trial.”
“We hope to perform longer-term and larger-scale clinical trials to investigate the effects of black cumin on metabolism,” she added. “We are particularly interested in investigating its effects on insulin resistance in diabetes and inflammatory markers.”
###
About OMU
Established in Osaka as one of the largest public universities in Japan, Osaka Metropolitan University is committed to shaping the future of society through the “Convergence of Knowledge” and the promotion of world-class research. For more research news, visit https://www.omu.ac.jp/en/ and follow us on social media: X , Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn .
Food Science & Nutrition
Experimental study
Cells
Black Cumin Seed (Nigella sativa) Confers Anti‐Adipogenic Effects in 3T3‐L1 Cellular Model and Lipid‐Lowering Properties in Human Subjects
1-Sep-2025
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.