Nigella sativa, commonly known as black cumin, is a hardy plant cultivated for its versatility. It also goes by other names, such as Roman coriander, black caraway and fennel flower, and is often planted in home gardens as an ornamental because of its beautiful pale blue or white flowers. But the main reason for this plant’s popularity is its seeds, which are widely used for culinary and medicinal purposes. [1]
Black cumin seeds are a traditional spice in India, the Middle East and in certain parts of Africa. In their natural form, they taste slightly sweeter than cumin, with notes of lemon and caraway. But when roasted (as they usually are), black cumin seeds acquire a nutty taste and a richer flavor. [2] They are often used to season breads, meats, rice, curries and confections.
Black cumin seeds are not your typical spice. Besides adding flavor to your meals, they can also boost your intake of some essential nutrients. A study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture found that black cumin seeds are a great source of protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins (thiamine, niacin, pyridoxine and folate) and minerals like calcium, copper, iron, phosphorus and zinc. [3] They also contain healthy fats like linoleic acid, eicosadienoic acid and oleic acid. [4]
In addition to these nutrients, black cumin seeds are loaded with beneficial phytonutrients. Chemical analyses reveal that they are rich in plant sterols, saponins, phenolic compounds and alkaloids, all of which possess many health-supporting properties. The oil extracted from black cumin seeds also contains plenty of bioactive compounds that offer considerable health benefits. In fact, about forty different compounds have been identified in black cumin seed oil, including thymoquinone – the most well-studied phytonutrient associated with black cumin seeds. [5]
The health benefits of black cumin seeds, according to science*
Thanks to their long history of use in traditional medicine, extensive literature on the beneficial properties of black cumin seeds and black cumin seed oil exists. Studies suggest that most of their health benefits can be traced to the potent phytonutrients they contain.
Here are some of the incredible ways black cumin seeds can support your overall health:
They provide a wide variety of antioxidants and healthy fats
The alkaloids, plant sterols, phenolic compounds and saponins in black cumin seeds all possess antioxidant properties. According to a study published in the Journal of Food Quality, alkaloids and phenols are great free radical scavengers and are responsible for the antioxidant effects of maca, one of the most powerful superfoods on the planet. [6]
Meanwhile, the plant sterols found in black cumin seed oil, such as B-sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol, can protect healthy cells from oxidative stress, which has been linked to serious health issues. [7][8] These same plant sterols can also support healthy antioxidant levels and help you maintain healthy cell membranes. [9][10]
Black cumin seed oil also contains vitamin E in the form of tocotrienols and gamma-tocopherols. [11] One of the most potent natural antioxidants in the human diet, vitamin E helps keep your cells and their components intact by protecting the lipids in your cell membranes from oxidative damage. [12]
Thymoquinone, the main active component of black cumin seeds, is also a powerful antioxidant that works two ways. Aside from neutralizing free radicals, a study published in the journal Free Radical Research found that thymoquinone also reacts with glutathione, the “master antioxidant” produced in your liver, to form glutathionyl-dihydrothymoquinone. [13][14] This compound is an even more potent antioxidant than thymoquinone and is said to be on par with vitamin E in terms of antioxidant activity.
When it comes to fatty acids, several studies have reported that black cumin seed oil contains an abundance of them. Some of the healthy fats you can get from this superfood are linoleic acid (omega-6), linolenic acid (omega-3, essential), oleic acid (omega-9), palmitoleic acid (omega-7), arachidonic acid (omega-6) and eicosadienoic acid (omega-6).
They support healthy heart, liver and pancreatic function
Black cumin seeds’ wealth of healthy fatty acids provides substantial benefits for some of your vital organs. For instance, linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fat commonly found in nuts and seeds, has been shown to support healthy blood cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range. [15] Oleic acid, the predominant fat in olive oil, has also been reported to exert a similar effect.
In addition, oleic acid can help you maintain a healthy liver and pancreas. [16] According to a study published in the journal Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, oleic acid helps protect the liver from oxidative stress by supporting healthy autophagy. [17]
Meanwhile, a study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology reported that oleic acid also supports the healthy functions of pancreatic beta cells. [18]
They support healthy immune function
Your immune system requires (and deserves) just as much support as your vital organs to keep functioning optimally. Thanks to the presence of thymoquinone in black cumin seeds, this incredible superfood can help you with that. According to a study published in the journal International Immunopharmacology, thymoquinone can help you maintain your body’s immune defenses by supporting the healthy functions of your T cells and natural killer cells. [19] These immune cells are part of your body’s natural adaptive and innate immune responses, respectively.
They support a healthy digestive system
Like your immune system, your digestive system will greatly benefit from the addition of black cumin seeds to your daily routine. Black cumin seed oil, in particular, can support your body’s natural production of gastric mucin, a protein that helps make up your intestinal barrier. [20] Gastric mucin plays a huge role in protecting the lining of your small intestine from damage caused by the actions of digestive enzymes, abrasion by food particles and so much more. [21]
They support healthy hair, skin and nails
Thanks to their abundance of antioxidants like vitamin E, black cumin seeds are the perfect superfood to rely on for maintaining healthy hair, skin and nails. Just as antioxidants provide protection for your skin cells against external threats, they do the same for your scalp and hair follicles. [22] The B vitamins in black cumin seeds can also support the health of your skin since these essential nutrients are important for the growth, development and healthy functioning of all your cells. [23]
They support healthy muscle recovery after exercise
Some healthy fats are very important and beneficial for people who live an active lifestyle. Eicosadienoic acid, linoleic acid and arachidonic acid, which are all found in black cumin seeds, are three examples of such fats. Eicosadienoic acid and linoleic acid are used by your body to produce arachidonic acid, a chemical messenger that your muscles release during exercise. According to a study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, physically active individuals can greatly benefit from increasing their intake of arachidonic acid because it supports healthy muscle recovery after strenuous exercise. [24]
Where to get cold-pressed, lab-verified organic black cumin seed oil
Since ancient times, people have been using black cumin seeds to support their overall health. Today, this incredible superfood is still being used for the same purpose, which means all of its reported health benefits are REAL. This is why you can find hundreds of black cumin products everywhere. Unfortunately, not all of them can deliver in terms of purity, cleanliness, quality and potency.
To help you experience the true benefits of organic black cumin seed, we’re bringing you Health Ranger Select Organic Black Cumin Seed Oil. Lab-verified for cleanliness and purity, our premium seed oil is one of the purest, cleanest, high-quality black cumin seed oils you’ll find on the market.
Health Ranger Select Organic Black Cumin Seed Oil is carefully extracted from Nigella sativa seeds via cold pressing, which allows it to retain its original nutrient and phytonutrient content. You can be sure that our 100% pure seed oil will deliver all the beneficial components of black cumin seeds to support the healthy functions of your heart, liver, pancreas, digestive system and immune system.
Health Ranger Select Organic Black Cumin Seed Oil is conveniently packaged in an amber glass bottle for maximum protection against light and to ensure freshness. You can add our premium product to your favorite smoothies, soups, stews, dips, salad dressings and other recipes to enjoy all the health-supporting properties of black cumin seeds.
Health Ranger Select Organic Black Cumin Seed Oil is solvent-free, alcohol-free and gluten-free. It is also vegan, non-GMO, non-China and certified Kosher and organic. As with all our products, our high-quality black cumin seed oil is extensively lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
For those that do not like the aftertaste associated with black cumin seed oil, we also have Core Vitality Essentials, a premium oil blend that combines the nutritional benefits of organic black cumin seed oil and black raspberry oil. It is lightly sweetened with natural vanilla flavoring to eliminate the aftertaste associated with black cumin seed oil. This great-tasting oil blend contains no gluten, GMOs, excipients or additives. It is also vegan, certified Kosher and thoroughly lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Support optimal health by incorporating organic black cumin seed oil into your daily routine!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not recommended to treat, cure or diagnose any disease.
References
[1] https://www.britannica.com
[3] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
[4] https://www.tandfonline.com
[7] https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp
[8] https://www.news-medical.net
[9] https://www.liebertpub.com
[10] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[11] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
[12] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[13] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[14] https://www.tandfonline.com
[15] https://www.hsph.harvard.edu
[16] https://www.mdpi.com
[18] https://www.frontiersin.org
[19] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[20] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[21] https://journals.plos.org
[23] https://www.tricitymed.org
[24] https://jissn.biomedcentral.com
