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Evidence-Based Supplement Research
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Black Cumin and Reduced Body Mass Index

Research synthesisModerate evidenceSmall effect5 studies · 3 beneficial · 2 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 5 studies, 3 reported beneficial effects of black cumin (Nigella sativa) on body mass index, with a predominantly small effect size. Two meta-analyses (n=2,145 and n=5,026) found statistically significant but modest reductions in BMI (e.g., -0.51 kg/m²), while one observational study also showed benefit. The median study duration was 56 days, suggesting effects are typically observed at 8 weeks or more.

  • Effective dose range: 200 to 4600 mg/day
  • Studied populations: patients with metabolic diseases, postmenopausal women with hypertension

Caveats: 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). Two of five studies did not find significant effects, including one meta-analysis in type 2 diabetes patients, suggesting benefit may not be universal across all populations. Doses varied widely (200–4600 mg/day) across studies, and most studies did not report the form of black cumin used.

Generated Jun 10, 2026
Doses used in studies
  • mg/day: 200–4,600 (median 1,000, IQR 300–2,800) — 3 studies
Time to effect
Median: 8 weeks · IQR 4.5 weeks–2.8 months · Range 7 days–3.7 months — Reported in 3 of 5 studies
5 of 5 papers
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