Ema Alice: Black cumin seeds could help with lower cholesterol, weight loss: Study A flavorful spice used in many dishes and even medicine has also shown promising results in other areas of health.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University led a clinical trial with 22 adults who had five grams of black cumin seed powder each day for eight weeks, and they showed a decrease in bad cholesterol and an increase in good cholesterol, showing the same outcomes as cholesterol-lowering medications.
The 20 adults in the control group with no cumin showed no changes in cholesterol.
The study’s authors said some participants also experienced weight loss with taking black cumin seed powder. They also suggested that at least a spoonful of cumin powder a day could ultimately boost cardiovascular health, lowering the risk of future heart problems.
“This study strongly suggests that black cumin seeds are useful as a functional food for preventing obesity and lifestyle-related diseases,” said Akiko Kojima-Yuasa, a professor and study author. “It was so gratifying to see black cumin comprehensively demonstrate actual, demonstrable blood lipid-lowering effects in a human trial.”
The researchers added that in the future, they also want to run a longer clinical trial to see cumin’s effects on insulin resistance in diabetes and inflammatory markers.
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