When it Comes to the Heart,Black Seed Does it All!

You knew that black seed does a lot. But, when it comes to cardiovascular

disease, it seems to do it all!

There have been a huge number of studies on Nigella sativa, commonly known as black seed, and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This very high quality systematic review and meta-analysis put them all together for the most definitive word yet on black seed and cardiovascular disease. The meta-analysis included 82 high quality, controlled studies of a total of 5,026 people.

Remarkably, it showed that black seed significantly improves a very wide range

of cardiovascular risk factors. When it comes to weight, black seed significantly

improves weight, body fat percentage, body mass index, waist circumference,

muscle mass and waist-to-hip ratio.

When it comes to blood pressure, it significantly improves systolic, diastolic and

mean arterial blood pressure. Black seed also significantly improves total

cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, ratio of

triglycerides to HDL cholesterol (atherogenic index) and triglycerides.

As for diabetes markers, black seed significantly improves fasting and after

eating blood sugar, long term blood sugar control (HbA1c) and insulin sensitivity.

Markers of inflammation, including C-reactive protein (CRP), high-sensitivity CRP

(hs-CRP), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), interleukin-6 and tumor

necrosis factor-alpha, are all significantly improved with black seed.

Additionally, black seed significantly improves the liver enzymes ALP, ALT and

AST. As for the kidney, it improved creatinine and urea.

It also improved markers of antioxidants and oxidative damage, including MDA,

SOD and total antioxidant capacity.

The most profound effects seemed to occur with doses over 2g that were taken

for at least 8 weeks.

This study provides high quality evidence that black seed may be an important

and versatile herb for cardiovascular health.

Pharmacological Research. September 2025;21:107882.