Black Cumin and Improved Insulin Levels

Research synthesisVery low evidenceSmall effect3 studies · 1 beneficial · 2 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 3 studies, 1 found a small beneficial effect of black cumin (Nigella sativa) supplementation on lowering insulin levels, while 2 showed neutral results. The single beneficial study was an 8-week RCT in overweight/obese women using 2000 mg/day. The evidence base is very small, and the median study duration (56 days) is consistent with effects typically observed at 8 weeks.

Effective dose range: 2000 mg/day (reported in only 1 study)
Studied populations: overweight/obese women

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Many of the included studies did not reach statistical significance — effect may be smaller than the predominant direction suggests.

Generated Jun 4, 2026

Doses used in studies

mg/day: 2,000 (median 2,000, IQR 2,000–2,000) — 1 study

Time to effect

Median: 8 weeks · IQR 8 weeks–8 weeks · Range 8 weeks–8 weeks — Reported in 1 of 3 studies

3 of 3 papersPopulation:

The effect of Nigella sativa supplementation on glycemic status in adults: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- 2024-10
- Meta-Analysis · n = 30
- Prostaglandins & other lipid mediators 174
- - Shabnam Shirvani
  - Maryam Falahatzadeh
  - Elham Oveili
  - Mehrdad Jamali
  - Pedram Pam
  - Maryam Parang
  - Mehrnaz Shakarami
- PubMed: 39181437
- DOI: 10.1016/j.prostaglandins.2024.106885
4 Insights on
- Improved Insulin Levels
- High evidence
but not effect on insulin (SMD = 0.48; 95% CI: -0.53, 1.48, P = 0.353; I²= 96.1%, p-heterogeneity <0.001)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Significant
No
Effect of Aromatic Herbs and Spices Present in the Mediterranean Diet on the Glycemic Profile in Type 2 Diabetes Subjects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- 2024-03-07
- Meta-Analysis
- Nutrients 16(6)
- - María Carmen Garza
  - Sofía Pérez-Calahorra
  - Carmen Rodrigo-Carbó
  - María Antonia Sánchez-Calavera
  - Estíbaliz Jarauta
  - Rocío Mateo-Gallego
  - Irene Gracia-Rubio
  - Itziar Lamiquiz-Moneo
- PubMed: 38542668
- DOI: 10.3390/nu16060756
3 Insights on
- Improved Insulin Levels
- High evidence
- Rigorous Journal
- Clinical
only cinnamon and ginger showed a significant decrease in insulin.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Significant
No
A crossover randomized controlled trial examining the effects of black seed (Nigella sativa) supplementation on IL-1β, IL-6 and leptin, and insulin parameters in overweight and obese women.
- 2024-01-05
- RCT
- BMC complementary medicine and therapies 24(1)
- - Elham Razmpoosh
  - Sara Safi
  - Mahta Mazaheri
  - Saman Khalesi
  - Majid Nazari
  - Parvin Mirmiran
  - Azadeh Nadjarzadeh
- PubMed: 38178093
- DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-04226-y
6 Insights on
- Improved Insulin Levels
- High evidence
- Clinical
A significant but low effect size decrease in serum insulin was observed(d=-0.3, P = 0.02).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Dose
2000 mg/day

Black Cumin and Improved Insulin Levels

The effect of Nigella sativa supplementation on glycemic status in adults: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Effect of Aromatic Herbs and Spices Present in the Mediterranean Diet on the Glycemic Profile in Type 2 Diabetes Subjects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

A crossover randomized controlled trial examining the effects of black seed (Nigella sativa) supplementation on IL-1β, IL-6 and leptin, and insulin parameters in overweight and obese women.