Research synthesisModerate evidenceSmall effect6 studies · 4 beneficial · 2 neutral · 0 harmful
Across 6 studies, 4 reported beneficial effects of black cumin on reduced body weight, with 2 showing neutral findings and none harmful. The predominant effect size is small, and the median study duration was 56 days, suggesting effects typically observed at 8 weeks. Two meta-analyses encompassing up to 82 trials found significant but small reductions (e.g., -1.59 kg), while individual studies in clinical populations (e.g., adolescents with PCOS) showed no significant effect.
- 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). One meta-analysis in T2DM patients found no significant effect on body weight, and an RCT in adolescents with PCOS also showed neutral results, suggesting benefit may vary by population. Dose ranges were wide (200 to 4600 mg/day), and none of the studies consistently reported the form used, limiting specificity.
Generated Jul 4, 2026