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Evidence-Based Supplement Research
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Black Cumin and Increased Total Serum Antioxidant Capacity

Research synthesisModerate evidenceMixed effect size3 studies · 3 beneficial · 0 neutral · 0 harmful

Across all 3 studies, black cumin (Nigella sativa) supplementation consistently shows beneficial effects on increasing total serum antioxidant capacity. The predominant effect size is mixed (small to large), with two meta-analyses reporting moderate-to-large effects and one RCT finding a small effect. Study durations ranged from 7 to 56 days (median 32 days), and doses varied widely (200–4600 mg/day) without convergence on a specific form.

  • Effective dose range: 200–4600 mg/day
  • Studied populations: general adults (meta-analysis of 82 RCTs), people with metabolic syndrome and related disorders, and adults with coronary artery disease

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). The wide dose range and varying effect sizes (moderate to large in meta-analyses, small in the individual RCT) limit precision for supplementation guidance.

Generated Jun 13, 2026
Doses used in studies
  • g/day: 2 (median 2, IQR 2–2) — 1 study
  • mg/day: 200–4,600 (median 2,400, IQR 200–4,600) — 1 study
Time to effect
Median: 4.5 weeks · IQR 2.8 weeks–6.3 weeks · Range 7 days–8 weeks — Reported in 2 of 3 studies
3 of 3 papers
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