Black cumin

Studies in people

• No harm found

  Blood sugar and cholesterol²

  In healthy men, black cumin powder did not change blood sugar or cholesterol levels over four weeks.

• Benefit

  Cholesterol and body weight³

  In people with Hashimoto's, black cumin lowered LDL and triglycerides, raised HDL, and reduced weight.

Animal and lab studies only

• Open question

  Gut bacteria and digestion⁴

  Black cumin extract made gut bacteria produce more acetate, butyrate, and propionate.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least one finding in people. When most findings in people point one way, the page leans that way (“Mostly”), and every finding is still shown. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.