Black seed oil is derived from black cumin seed, also known as fennel flower or black caraway, among others.
The oil can be pressed or extracted from the seeds and is a dense source of volatile compounds and acids, including linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and myristic acids, among other powerful antioxidants.
This oil is known to have many effects on the body, when used in moderation, particularly for weight loss.
Many people add this oil to curries, stews, soups, salads, bread mixes, certain cheeses, poultry dishes, and fried vegetables. The oil has a rather strong flavor, but the savory nature makes it a nice complement to many meals.
It is important to only use a small amount of the oil or simply mix in the whole seeds to your meals, due to the potency of this concentrated substance.
Although this oil has likely been in use for more than 2,000 years, its metabolic effects on weight loss efforts have increased its modern popularity.
How to use black seed oil for weight loss?
There are many different ways you can consume black seed oil, many of which will help you lose weight by boosting your metabolism. The B vitamins in this oil kickstart the body’s energy metabolism, helping to increase passive fat-burning. This can help you to burn more calories than you consume, thus creating a calorie deficit, leading to gradual weight loss.
Furthermore, the black seed oil can act as a natural appetite suppressant. If you are trying to cut down on your total calorie intake, using this oil can be a great way to stay on track and not overindulge.
The most popular means of consuming black seed oil for weight loss include:
- Mixing a teaspoon of the oil into yogurt or mixing it into a homemade salad dressing.
- Adding this oil to milk/orange juice in the morning is also a way to get your daily dose.
Recommended dose: The recommended dose is between 1 and 3 tablespoons per day, but it’s better to start with a smaller amount and monitor your body’s reaction to the oil.
Side effects of black seed oil
If you use an excess of this black seed oil, you can experience some side effects, such as allergic reactions, hypotension, and complications of pregnancy, among others.
- Allergic Reactions: Some people experience contact dermatitis when they touch or consume black seed oil; when internally consumed, this will likely mean stomach upset, nausea or vomiting, as well as possible irritation of the respiratory tracts.
- Hypotension: This oil is known to help keep blood pressure under control, but if combined with other blood pressure medication, it can cause a dangerous drop to a hypotensive state.
- Pregnancy: Due to a lack of research, it is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women to consume black seed oil for weight loss.
