Black Seed Oil For Weight Loss: Evidence-Based Effects 

Table of Contents

• Black Seed Oil—The Product and Its Nutrition Facts 
• Can Black Seed Oil Help With Weight Loss?
• Proven Benefits and Indirect Weight-Loss Effect of Black Seed Oil
• Final Words

Many who are struggling to lose weight may be tempted to turn to natural methods, such as ginger oil, bulletproof coffee, or black seed oil, to help them achieve their weight goals. However, is black seed oil good for weight loss? 

This article will dive into the nutrition facts, benefits, and uses of black seed oil, also known as black cumin oil.

Black Seed Oil—The Product and Its Nutrition Facts

The source of this popular oil is black seed, also known as Nigella sativa or N. sativa. It’s a plant native to Asia with many potential benefits to your health. 

The most significant appeal of black seed oil is the essential fatty acids it contains. They are healthy fats that offer many health benefits. Black seed oil contains three specific fatty acids — linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acid. 

Additionally, black seed oil contains a compound called thymoquinone, which is responsible for many health benefits. [1]

In terms of nutrition, a teaspoon of black seed oil contains 45 calories, one gram of saturated fat, and five grams of total fat. It does not contain any vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients. [2]

Black seed oil is safe for cooking and has no serious side effects in most studies when consumed in the amount typically found in food. [3]

Can Black Seed Oil Help With Weight Loss?

Black seed oil has many potential health-promoting properties, including an anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidant effect, and more. [3] Because of the many benefits of black seed oil, it makes sense that people also wonder about black cumin seed oil for weight loss. 

Recent studies have demonstrated the potential for black seed oil to improve weight status.

For instance, a study published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine found that overweight and obese women who consumed supplemental amounts of black seed oil experienced decreased appetite, reduced total body fat and visceral fat (belly fat), and more. [4]

Additionally, the journal Food and Function discusses how black seed oil may improve weight and waist circumference when paired with a low-calorie diet. [5] However, this randomized controlled clinical trial was performed only involving one sample of women who are obese. Thus we need more studies to confirm that we can apply same results to a large population. 

If you are struggling to lose weight, speaking with a registered dietitian nutritionist could help provide individualized advice and education regarding your needs. Additionally, a weight-loss app can provide guidance and support in helping you reach your weight-loss goals. 

Drinking Black Seed Oil, Honey, and Cinnamon For Weight Loss

A popular drink for weight loss contains black seed oil, honey, and cinnamon. While this specific combination of ingredients has not been studied in relation to weight loss or appetite, there is some potential for it.

As mentioned above, black seed oil may help with weight loss. Additionally, cinnamon also demonstrates an anti-obesity effect. [6]

However, when consumed too often, this drink may have the opposite effect since it is likely high in calories, fat, and sugar (depending on the exact recipe used). Consuming excess calories, fat, and sugar can contribute to weight gain.

Proven Benefits and Indirect Weight-Loss Effect of Black Seed Oil

While studies have shown the potential of black seed bitters for weight loss, there are many other proven benefits that are supported by evidence-based research and clinical trials. Let’s talk about some of the main advantages of black seed oil seen in studies.

Anti-Diabetic

Black seed oil may have benefits for individuals diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.

A literary review published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine describes how diabetic rats who received black seed oil experienced an improvement in blood glucose levels, hemoglobin A1C, and other glucose markers. [7]

Antioxidant

Research demonstrates the antioxidant power of black seed oil. [7]

Antioxidants are compounds that protect cells in the body from free radicals, harmful compounds that are naturally produced in the body. Free radicals can damage cells and contribute to oxidative stress in the body, a precursor to many health problems. 

However, antioxidants in the diet, such as those from black seed oil, can help balance out the damage from free radicals and therefore reduce oxidative stress. 

Anti-Inflammatory

As mentioned above, black seed oil is rich in antioxidants, which provide many benefits to the body, including a reduction in the systemic inflammation that stems from oxidative stress. Therefore, black seed oil can help with inflammation in the body and improve overall health.

Final Words

Let’s recap some of the key takeaways from this article. 

• Black seed oil, otherwise known as Nigella sativa or N. sativa, is an oil extracted from the black seed plant, which is native to Asia.
• Black seed oil contains essential fatty acids and a compound called thymoquinone. 
• Research shows that black seed can be beneficial as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and more.
• Studies also show that black seed oil can significantly reduce weight, appetite, total body fat, and fat around the midsection.  
• The popular drink for weight loss combining black seed oil, honey, and cinnamon may be beneficial for weight loss given the benefits observed from each individual component. However, there are currently no studies that have examined this specific combination of ingredients. 

Overall, small amounts of black seed oil can be an excellent addition to your diet, whether used in your cooking or added to meals as a replacement for another oil.

Using black seed oil can improve your overall health and may even help you lose weight. 

It is important to note that you should avoid consuming black seed oil in therapeutic amounts more than you would normally use in food. Additionally, due to the limited long-term research, always speak with your physician or a registered dietitian nutritionist about how to safely use black seed oil, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.