What do memory problems, blood sugar spikes and weight gain have in common?
They are all precursors to something more serious.
Fortunately, a superseed has shown promise in tackling all three.
Black seed, also known as Nigella sativa, is a flowering plant native to the Middle East and Eastern Europe that produces black seeds.
The seeds are used to make black seed oil, which has been used in traditional medicine for over 2,000 years. It can also be taken orally in powder or applied to the skin as a lotion or gel.
Black seed has been shown to provide countless health benefits. Here we look at three:
Boost memory
Black seed has been shown to improve memory and brain function in humans and animals.
In a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, researchers examined the effects of black seed on memory, attention and cognition in healthy elderly volunteers over a nine-week study period.
Forty elderly volunteers were recruited and randomly divided into group A and group B – each consisting of 20 volunteers.
The treatment procedure for group A was 500 mg black seed capsule twice daily for nine weeks, and group B received placebo instead of black seed similarly.
All volunteers were assessed for neuropsychological status and safety profile twice before treatment and after nine weeks.
There were significant differences in the memory scores between the two groups, leading the researchers to conclude: “The current study demonstrates the role of black seed in improving memory, attention and cognition.”
Black seed has been shown to improve memory in elderly rats with memory impairment and prevent hippocampal pyramidal cell loss.
Hippocampal pyramidal cells play a role in memory and learning.
It can also help consolidate spatial memory and recall. One study found that black seed oil can help manage memory dysfunction in rats by altering cortico-hippocampal neural activity.
The cortico-hippocampal network is a neural framework that supports cognition, especially memory, in humans.
Reduction of high blood sugar
Black seed can help treat diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels.
A 2019 review published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that black seed can improve several markers, including insulin levels and blood sugar levels during fasting and after a meal.
A study in the British Journal of Pharmaceutical Research found that the role of black seeds for the treatment of diabetes is significantly important (improvement of insulin production, glucose tolerance and beta cell proliferation)
The review concluded that the seeds may also play a significant role in the treatment of diabetes complications such as nephropathy, neuropathy and atherosclerosis.
Some studies suggest that black seed can be used as an adjunctive treatment for diabetes, helping to reduce the dose and side effects of modern anti-diabetic medications.
For example, people with type 2 diabetes who take black seed supplements have shown lower blood sugar levels, which may reduce their risk of future complications.
But taking black seed with diabetes medications can cause blood sugar to drop too low, so it’s important to monitor blood sugar closely.
Black seed may also interact with other supplements that have similar effects, such as aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and cactus.
Weight loss
Black seed can also help in losing excess weight.
One study, published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine, found that women who took 2,000 mg of black seed oil daily for eight weeks had a decreased appetite and reduced body weight, waist circumference and body fat.
A review of 11 studies also found that black seed supplementation may help lower body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference.
Furthermore, a 2021 study on rats fed a high-fat diet also found that black seed oil may help significantly reduce body weight and insulin resistance.
Black seed oil is believed to aid in weight loss by suppressing appetite and lowering calorie intake.
However, more research is needed to understand the long-term safety and effectiveness of black seed oil for weight loss.
General tips
A healthy lifestyle is key to keeping your brain and body in tip-top shape.
The National Institute on Aging recommends eating a healthy diet that includes fatty fish like salmon, trout, and mackerel, as well as peanuts, which contain unsaturated fats, proteins, and vitamins and minerals that are good for your brain.
If you’re vegetarian or vegan, try adding seeds like flaxseed, hemp, and chia to your diet or take a plant-based supplement.
Health bodies generally recommend 30-60 minutes of exercise several times a week and choosing activities that increase your heart rate.
You can also try strength training, which improves your focus, attention and cognition.