You must be a fan of the little black seeds on your biscuits or in your curry. These seeds are used as a common spice and herb in Asian countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. These tiny seeds called kalonji, are not only great in flavor but provide health benefits beyond that.
Often known as cumin or cumin seeds, kalonji is a seed of the flowering plant called Nigella Sativa. This plant is indigenous to Southern Europe, North Africa, and Southwest Asia. Kalonji should not be confused with Kala jeera, as the two have different properties and tastes.
Kalonji benefits are not only praised by science but by the Prophet of Islam too, making it even more divine and magical for many. Prophet Muhammad quotes
“This black cumin is healing for all diseases except death.”
Kalonji is packed with protein, carbohydrates, fat and dietary fiber. The seeds are also abundant in vital minerals including calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium and potassium, and essential vitamins A, C, E, and K.
Health Benefits of Kalonji
1.Aids In Weight loss
The most prominent benefit of kalonji is its proficient role in weight loss. Kalonji alone will not burn out all your extra fat, but if coupled with a weight-loss diet it will do miracles.
The exact mechanism by which kalonji aids in weight loss is yet to be discovered but various researches highlight different aspects of it.
According to a study people fed with kalonji powder and oil, lowered their weight and waist circumference significantly. The results were recorded within 6-12 weeks and were compared with a placebo. Keep in mind that the subjects used kalonji coupled with diet and lifestyle modifications. This shows that the herbs are not very effective on their own.
Another study suggests that kalonji aids in weight loss, due to the presence of active components. These affect the expression of specific genes related to appetite control.
However, mild side effects like stomachaches and nausea have been reported with both the powder and oil supplements. Therefore it is important to consult a doctor before making kalonji a part of your daily routine.
2.Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar Levels
Kalonji shows improved blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. As kalonji is loaded with fibers it delays the absorption of sugar in the blood. Kalonji is also responsible for increasing the action of insulin on body cells.
Studies show that people with type 2 diabetes when consumed Kalonji powder and oil showed significantly reduced levels of fasting blood sugar.
These studies likely ignored the dietary and lifestyle factors that might have influenced blood sugar levels.
3. Decreases Risk Of Heart Disease
Kalonji is famous for containing plant compounds that positively affect heart health. This also reduces the heart disease risk by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Studies show that kalonji powder and oil show a significant reduction in blood pressure, in people with and without hypertension.
Other studies show that kalonji lowers the LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and increases the HDL (high-density lipoprotein) levels. It also reduces triglyceride levels in the blood.
All of these factors when coupled together eventually improve heart health and lower the risk of heart disease.
4.Kills Bacteria
Kalonji is packed with antioxidants and helps in killing various bacteria inside your body. A study carried out on infants with staphylococcal skin infection, found kalonji to be very effective to be used as a standard antibiotic. Several other studies show that these seeds inhibit the growth of MRSA and several other strains of bacteria.
Hence kalonji can be used as a natural antibiotic with little to no side effects. If consumed regularly it will prevent you from various infections and illnesses caused by different bacteria.
5. Reduces Inflammation
Little inflammation in the body is not bad, it helps in fighting against infections and disease. But chronic inflammation can deteriorate your health and kalonji helps in reducing just that.
Kalonji is loaded with anti-inflammatory compounds. It shows a positive effect on people with arthritis by reducing markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.
Studies on humans are still limited and more research is required to check the validity of this claim.
7. Treats Stomach Ulcers
Stomach ulcers are sores that form when the stomach walls erode. These sores can be extremely painful.
Kalonji can help in preserving the lining of the stomach, hence preventing stomach ulcers. It not only prevents stomach ulcers but treats them too. A study carried out on rats, showed that when kalonji was fed to rats with stomach ulcers. 83% of the diseased rats showed healing signs. In fact, it was as effective as common medication.
Again, current research is limited to animal studies. More research is required to make it acceptable for humans.
Important Health Benefits of Doing Yoga
The Bottom Line
Kalonji is known for its vast culinary use and medicinal properties. It is not only used by chefs but by nutritionists and doctors too. There are only a few things like kalonji that promise everything good with little to no side-effects. Science has been unable to provide any evidence regarding serious side effects related to kalonji.
