Super seed found to turbocharge memory in WEEKS, reduce high blood sugar levels and promote weight loss

The seeds are used to make black seed oil, which has been used in traditional medicine for over 2,000 years. It can also be taken orally in powder or applied to the skin as a lotion or gel. Black seed has been shown to provide myriad health benefits. Here we look at three:

Boosting memory 

Black seed have been shown to improve memory and brain function in humans and animals.

In one study, published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, researchers investigated the effects of black seed on memory, attention and cognition in healthy elderly volunteers over a nine-week study period.

Forty elderly volunteers were recruited and divided randomly into group A and group B -- each consisting of 20 volunteers.

The treatment procedure for group A was 500 mg black seed capsule twice daily for nine weeks and Group B received placebo instead of black seed in the similar manner.

All the volunteers were assessed for neuropsychological state and safety profile twice before treatment and after nine weeks.

There were significant differences in the memory scores between the two groups, prompting the researchers to conclude: "The current study demonstrates the role of black seed in enhancing memory, attention and cognition."

Black seed has been shown to improve memory in aged rats with memory impairments and to prevent hippocampal pyramidal cell loss.

Hippocampal pyramidal cells play a role in memory and learning.

It may also help consolidate spatial memory and recall. One study found that black seed oil may help manage memory dysfunction in rats by altering cortico-hippocampal neural activity.

The cortico-hippocampal network is a neural framework that supports cognition, particularly memory, in humans.

Reducing high blood sugar 

Black seed may help treat diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels.

A 2019 review, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, found that black seed may improve multiple markers, including insulin levels and blood sugar levels during fasting and after a meal.

Some studies suggest that black seed may be used as an adjunct therapy for diabetes, helping to reduce the dose of modern anti-diabetic medications and adverse events.

For example, people with type 2 diabetes who take black seed supplements have shown lower blood sugar levels, which may reduce their risk of future complications.

However, taking black seed along with diabetes medications may cause blood sugar to drop too low, so it's important to monitor blood sugar closely.

Black seed may also interact with other supplements that have similar effects, such as aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.

Weight loss 

Black seed may also help shed excess weight.

One study, published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine, found that women who took 2,000 mg of black seed oil daily for eight weeks had a decreased appetite and reduced body weight, waist circumference, and body fat.

A review of 11 studies also found that black seed supplementation may help lower body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference.

Furthermore, A 2021 study on rats fed a high-fat diet also found that black seed oil may be able to help significantly decrease body weight and insulin resistance.

It is thought that black seed oil helps with weight loss by suppressing appetite and lowering caloric intake.

However, more research is needed to understand the long-term safety and efficacy of black seed oil for weight loss.

General tips

A healthy lifestyle is key to keeping your brain and body in tip-top shape.

The National Institute for Aging recommends eating a healthy diet that includes oily fish like salmon, trout, and mackerel, as well as peanuts, which contain unsaturated fats, protein, and vitamins and minerals that are good for your brain.

If you're vegetarian or vegan, you can try adding seeds like flaxseeds, hemp, and chia to your diet, or take a plant-based supplement.

Health bodies generally recommend 30–60 minutes of exercise several times a week and choosing activities that increase your heart rate.

You can also try strength training, which improves your focus, attention, and cognition.

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