10 Kraftige fordele ved nigella frø bakket op af videnskab

Thymoquinon, den største bestanddel af nigella frø, er blevet kaldt et voksende naturlægemiddel med en bred vifte af medicinske anvendelser (1).

Nigella frø kaldes også sorte frø eller sorte spidskommen. De er blevet brugt af gamle healere og moderne læger og alle der imellem. Frøene kaldes videnskabeligt Nigella sativa . Selv olien (kaldet sort frøolie) har mange terapeutiske anvendelser. I denne artikel vil vi diskutere de videnskabeligt støttede fordele ved frøene - fordele, du meget gerne vil vide.

Indholdsfortegnelse

• Hvad gør Nigella Frø så gode?
• Hvad er fordelene ved Nigella Frø?
• Sådan forbruges Nigella Frø
• Hvad er bivirkningerne af Nigella Frø?

Hvad gør Nigella Frø så gode?

Thymoquinon - en aktiv ingrediens i nigella frø.

Forskere har undersøgt thymoquinon siden 1960'erne, og det er kendt for dets kraftige antioxidant, kræft og antiinflammatoriske egenskaber (2).

Andre aktive ingredienser i nigella frø, thymol og thymohydroquinon har antimikrobielle og antitumor egenskaber (3). Frøene er blevet brugt traditionelt i mellemøstlig folkemedicin i over 2.000 år siden. Disse frøs egenskaber er mange - de bruges som et aromatisk, diuretikum, slimløsende, udrensende, stimulerende, carminativt og beroligende middel (4).

Nigella frø har også en plads i arabisk folkemedicin som en potent behandling for mange sygdomme - hvoraf nogle inkluderer gulsot, hudlidelser, gastrointestinale problemer, gigt, astma, bronkitis og endda feber (4).

Der er et væld af sundhedsproblemer, som frøene hjælper dig med at håndtere. Med andre ord er det utroligt (næsten) hvor meget disse frø kan gøre for dig.

Tilbage til indholdsfortegnelse

Hvad er fordelene ved Nigella Frø?

1. Hjælp med at sænke kolesterolniveauerne

Nigella frø kan have en signifikant indvirkning på plasmalipidkoncentrationer og derved sænke det samlede kolesterolniveau. Frøene kan også sænke triglycerid ¹ niveauer (5).

Undersøgelser udført på hyperkolesterolæmiske ² rotter afslørede lignende fund - nigella frø kunne forbedre rotternes antioxidantkapacitet og derved hjælpe med at sænke det samlede kolesterolniveau (6).

Undersøgelser af centrale overvægtige mænd viste løfte om brugen af ​​nigella frø til at reducere det totale kolesterolniveau. En større dosis af frøene og et længere forbrug kan give meget bedre resultater (7).

Thymoquinon havde også hjulpet med at bekæmpe oxidativ stress hos type 2-diabetespatienter (8).

2. Kan hjælpe vægttab

Tilskud med nigella kan medføre en moderat reduktion i kropsvægt. Det forbedrede også BMI-værdier og reducerede taljeomkredsen (9). Selvom undersøgelser af høj kvalitet er begrænsede, og mere forskning er berettiget, er dette et opmuntrende skridt. Brug af frøene havde heller ikke resulteret i nogen bivirkninger. Så brug af frøene til vægttab bør ikke skade.

Undersøgelser indikerer også, at nigella kan hjælpe med at forhindre hjertesygdomme, diabetes og kræft - som er lidelser, hvis risiko stiger med fedme. Selvom det kan synes sikkert at antage, at nigella kan være til gavn for vægttab, kan mere forskning i denne henseende være gavnligt (10).

3. Tilby beskyttelse mod kræft

Den flygtige olie fra nigellafrø havde signifikant reduceret størrelsen og forekomsten af ​​tumorer i lungerne og tyktarmen hos Wistar-hanrotter ³ (11). En voksende mængde beviser fremhæver anticanceregenskaberne hos nigella frø (12).

I endnu en undersøgelse viste det sig, at nigella-frø inducerede apoptotisk ⁴ kræftcelledød i humane kolorektale kræftceller. Denne effekt kan ifølge undersøgelsen tilskrives thymoquinon i nigellafrø (13).

Nigella frø blev også fundet for at forhindre kræft i bryst, lever, hud, prostata og livmoderhalsen (14). De beskyttende virkninger af frøene mod kræft kan tilskrives deres evne til at undertrykke inflammation og udøve immunstimulerende effekter (15).

4. Nigella Frø regulerer blodsukkerniveauer

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Indtagelse af 2 gram nigella frø om dagen kan hjælpe med at regulere blodsukkerniveauet hos diabetespatienter (16). Frøene ved den nævnte dosis havde resulteret i signifikante reduktioner i fastende blodglukoseniveauer.

En iransk undersøgelse havde også vist de gavnlige virkninger af nigella frø på glucosehomeostase ⁵ (17). Selvom de nuværende fund understøtter brugen af ​​nigellafrø til styring af diabeteskomplikationer, er yderligere forskning nødvendig.

I en anden undersøgelse reducerede nigellafrø niveauerne af glykosyleret hæmoglobin ⁶ (18). Forhøjede glykosylerede hæmoglobinniveauer viste sig at øge risikoen for atrieflimren ⁷ hos patienter med diabetes (19). Frøene kan reducere denne risiko hos patienter.

5. Hjælp med at opretholde blodtrykket

Regelmæssig brug af nigella frøekstrakt kan sænke blodtrykket hos patienter med mild hypertension, ifølge en undersøgelse (20). Ekstrakter af frøene havde sænket både systolisk og diastolisk blodtryksaflæsning.

Selv frøolie kan hjælpe i denne henseende. Thymoquinon og thymol i frøene kan bidrage til deres blodtrykssænkende aktivitet. Forbindelserne virker ved at reducere hjerteoxidativ stress og aktiviteten af ​​angiotensinkonverterende enzym ⁸ (ACE), som begge hjælper med at sænke blodtryksniveauer (21).

De antihypertensive egenskaber af nigella frø kan også tilskrives deres vanddrivende virkning (22). Rotter behandlet med frøene havde vist et fald på 4% i deres arterielle blodtryk.

6. Kan bekæmpe betændelse

In an American study, nigella seeds were found to fight inflammation in pancreatic cancer cells. Thymoquinone in the seeds could inhibit the effects of proinflammatory cytokines⁹, acting as a promising treatment for inflammation (23).

The anti-inflammatory activity of nigella seeds can also be attributed to their antioxidant properties. In studies, the antioxidant properties of the seeds helped reduce serum and tissue inflammatory markers and other inflammatory ailments like cardiac fibrosis¹⁰ (24).

Topical application of nigella seed oil was also found to relieve pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis (25). The oil was deemed more potent than acetaminophen, an analgesic drug typically used to treat arthritis pain.

In rat models, thymoquinone in nigella seeds had reduced rheumatoid arthritis pain – thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties (26).

7. Boost Immunity

Studies conducted on crossbred hens showed that supplementation with nigella seeds might boost immunity against Newcastle disease virus (27). Though we also need to look at specific human studies, this is an encouraging sign.

In yet another UK study, nigella seed oil supplementation was found to improve asthma control and enhance pulmonary function (28).

The seeds also possess powerful antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. They showed antibacterial activity against a harmful strain of bacteria called MRSA (29).

Nigella seed extract had also shown an antimicrobial effect against staphylococcal skin infection (30).

8. Promote Health Of Liver And Kidneys

The antioxidant properties of nigella seeds play a role in protecting the liver. These can fight the oxidative stress that may harm the liver. The thymoquinone in the seeds also fights free radicals and cuts the risk of them attacking human DNA – and possibly, the liver (31).

These antioxidant properties of thymoquinone are also responsible for protecting the liver from parasitic injury. Ingestion of the seed oil reduced the number of Schistosoma mansoni worms in the liver and even cut down the total number of ova present in both the liver and the intestine (32).

An Iranian study showed that nigella seeds could help cure kidney diseases, including nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) and kidney damage (33). Oral intake of nigella seed extract had significantly reduced the formation of calcium oxalate deposits.

9. Nigella Seeds Treat Infertility

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An increase in free radicals in the body system can affect sperm quality. The antioxidant prowess of nigella seeds can help avert this. Studies suggest the thymoquinone in nigella seeds can improve male fertility parameters by enhancing antioxidant defense (34).

Studies show that nigella seeds can be used as a single agent to treat male infertility (35).

An Iranian study concludes that intake of 5 mL of nigella seed oil every day for two months can improve semen quality in infertile men, and that too, with no side effects (36).

10. Treat Skin Ailments

Extracts of nigella seeds were found to exhibit antipsoriatic activity. Use of the extracts had shown significant epidermal improvement. Topical application of the oil had also aided the treatment of acne vulgaris (37).

The thymoquinone in the seeds also had shown antifungal activity (38). It can help in the treatment of fungal skin infections like candida.

These are the powerful ways nigella seeds can make your life better. As you saw, there’s a ton of research backing it up. The seeds can treat most major ailments without side effects.

But how do you consume them? How do you include them in your regular diet?

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How To Consume Nigella Seeds

Including the seeds in your diet is easy.

• You can coat little cubes of tuna with olive oil and sprinkle nigella seeds on them. This makes for a great appetizer.
• Mix whole nigella seeds with feta cheese, yogurt, and lemon juice – and use it as a condiment for your dishes.
• You can sprinkle the seeds on your morning breakfast or evening meal.

Quite simple, right? But hold on – nigella seeds are not for everybody. There are certain considerations.

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What Are The Side Effects Of Nigella Seeds?

• Possible Issues During Pregnancy

The seeds are traditionally believed to stop the uterus from contracting, which can be a problem during pregnancy (39). Ensure you keep the consumption to normal food amounts. Please check with your doctor.

• Can Cause Bleeding Disorders

Thymoquinone in nigella seeds can slow down blood clotting (extend blood coagulation time) (40). This can aggravate bleeding disorders. If you have any bleeding disorders, please avoid the seeds.

This properly of nigella seeds can be a concern during surgery. Avoid intake at least two weeks before and after surgery.

• May Lower Blood Sugar And/Or Blood Pressure Levels Way Too Much

As the seeds can lower blood sugar and blood pressure levels, people already on these medications must exercise caution. Please check with your doctor.

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Conclusion

Nigella seeds sure are an emerging natural drug, aren’t they? You would have heard of the goodness of most seeds – but nigella seeds are a step above.

What do you think? Have you come across any other seed variety better than Nigella sativa? Tell us by leaving a comment in the box below.

Glossary

1. triglycerides – the stored fat in your body, excess of which can be dangerous
2. hypercholesterolemic – a state of excess blood cholesterol levels
3. Wistar rats – albino rats specifically bred for laboratory purposes
4. apoptotic – a type of cell death characterized by a series of molecular steps
5. glucose homeostasis – a process denoting the balance of insulin and glucagon to maintain optimum blood glucose levels
6. glycosylated hemoglobin – a form of hemoglobin that is bound to glucose in the blood
7. atrial fibrillation – irregular and rapid heartbeat, often leading to poor blood flow
8. angiotensin-converting enzyme – an enzyme that produces angiotensin II, a protein that elevates blood pressure levels; by reducing the activity of ACE, the seeds reduce the production of angiotensin II, thereby lowering blood pressure
9. proinflammatory cytokines – a type of molecule excreted from immune cells that promote inflammation
10. cardiac fibrosis – abnormal thickening of the heart valves

References

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