1. Packed with Anti-Oxidants
Antioxidants are substances that neutralize harmful free radicals and prevent oxidative damage to cells.
Research shows that antioxidants can have a powerful effect on health and disease.
In fact, some studies indicate that antioxidants may protect against several types of chronic conditions, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease and obesity (2Trusted Source).
Several compounds found in kalonji, such as thymoquinone, carvacrol, t-anethole and 4-terpineol, are responsible for its potent antioxidant properties (3Trusted Source).
One test-tube study found that kalonji essential oil also acted as an antioxidant (4Trusted Source).
However, further research is needed to determine how the antioxidants found in kalonji may impact health in humans.
2. May Lower Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found throughout your body. While you need some cholesterol, high amounts can build up in your blood and increase your risk of heart disease.
Kalonji has been shown to be especially effective at lowering cholesterol.
One review of 17 studies found that supplementing with kalonji was associated with significant decreases in both total and “bad” LDL cholesterol, as well as blood triglycerides.
Interestingly, it also found that kalonji oil had a greater effect than kalonji seed powder. However, only seed powder increased levels of “good” HDL cholesterol (5Trusted Source).
Another study in 57 people with diabetes showed that supplementing with kalonji for one year decreased total and LDL cholesterol, all while increasing HDL cholesterol (6Trusted Source).
Lastly, a study in 94 people with diabetes had similar findings, reporting that taking 2 grams of kalonji daily for 12 weeks reduced both total and LDL cholesterol (7Trusted Source).
3. Could Have Cancer-Fighting Properties
Kalonji is high in antioxidants, which help neutralize harmful free radicals that may contribute to the development of diseases like cancer.
Test-tube studies have found some impressive results regarding the potential anti-cancer effects of kalonji and thymoquinone, its active compound.
For instance, one test-tube study found that thymoquinone induced cell death in blood cancer cells (8Trusted Source).
Another test-tube study showed that kalonji extract helped inactivate breast cancer cells (9Trusted Source).
Other test-tube studies suggest that kalonji and its components may also be effective against several other types of cancer, including pancreatic, lung, cervical, prostate, skin and colon cancers (10Trusted Source).
However, there is no evidence on the anti-cancer effects of kalonji in humans. Studies are needed to examine whether kalonji has any cancer-fighting benefits when used as a spice or taken as a supplement.
4. Can Help Kill off Bacteria
Disease-causing bacteria are responsible for a long list of dangerous infections, ranging from ear infections to pneumonia.
Some test-tube studies have found that kalonji may have antibacterial properties and be effective at fighting off certain strains of bacteria.
One study applied kalonji topically to infants with a staphylococcal skin infection and found that it was as effective as a standard antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections (11Trusted Source).
Another study isolated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a strain of bacteria that is difficult to treat and resistant to antibiotics, from the wounds of diabetic patients.
Kalonji killed off the bacteria in a dose-dependent manner in over half of the samples (12Trusted Source).
Several other test-tube studies have shown that kalonji can help inhibit the growth of MRSA, as well as many other strains of bacteria (13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source).
Yet, human studies are limited, and more research is needed to look at how kalonji may affect different strains of bacteria in the body.
5. May Alleviate Inflammation
In most cases, inflammation is a normal immune response that helps protect the body against injury and infection.
On the other hand, chronic inflammation is believed to contribute to a variety of diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease (15Trusted Source).
Some studies have found that kalonji may have powerful anti-inflammatory effects in the body.
In one study in 42 people with rheumatoid arthritis, taking 1,000 mg of kalonji oil daily for eight weeks reduced markers of inflammation and oxidative stress (16Trusted Source).
In another study, inflammation was induced in the brain and spinal cord of rats. Compared to a placebo, kalonji was effective at protecting against and suppressing inflammation (17Trusted Source).
Similarly, a test-tube study showed that thymoquinone, the active compound in kalonji, helped reduce inflammation in pancreatic cancer cells (18Trusted Source).
Despite these promising results, most human studies are limited to people with specific conditions. More research is needed to understand how kalonji may affect inflammation among the general population.
6. Could Help Protect the Liver
The liver is an incredibly important organ. It removes toxins, metabolizes drugs, processes nutrients and produces proteins and chemicals that are crucial to health.
Several promising animal studies have found that kalonji may help protect the liver against injury and damage.
In one study, rats were injected with a toxic chemical, either with or without kalonji. Kalonji reduced the toxicity of the chemical and protected against liver and kidney damage (19Trusted Source).
Another animal study had similar findings, showing that kalonji protected rats against induced liver damage, compared to a control group (20Trusted Source).
One review attributed the protective effects of kalonji to its antioxidant content and ability to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress (21Trusted Source).
However, more studies are needed to measure how kalonji may influence liver health in humans.
7. Can Aid in Blood Sugar Regulation
High blood sugar can cause many negative symptoms, including increased thirst, unintentional weight loss, fatigue and difficulty concentrating.
Left unchecked in the long term, high blood sugar can lead to even more serious consequences, such as nerve damage, vision changes and slow wound healing.
Some evidence shows that kalonji could help keep blood sugar steady and thus prevent these dangerous adverse side effects.
One review of seven studies showed that supplementing with kalonji improved levels of fasting and average blood sugar (22Trusted Source).
Similarly, another study in 94 people found that taking kalonji daily for three months significantly reduced fasting blood sugar, average blood sugar and insulin resistance (23Trusted Source).
8. May Prevent Stomach Ulcers
Stomach ulcers are painful sores that form when stomach acids eat away at the layer of protective mucus that lines the stomach.
Some research shows that kalonji could help preserve the lining of the stomach and prevent the formation of ulcers.
In one animal study, 20 rats with stomach ulcers were treated using kalonji. Not only did it result in healing effects in about 83% of rats, but it was also nearly as effective as a common medication used to treat stomach ulcers (24Trusted Source).
Another animal study showed that kalonji and its active components prevented ulcer development and protected the lining of the stomach against the effects of alcohol (25Trusted Source).
Keep in mind that current research is limited to animal studies. Further research is needed to determine how kalonji may affect stomach ulcer development in humans.
The Bottom Line
The seeds of the kalonji plant are known for their diverse culinary uses and medicinal properties.
Traditionally used to treat a variety of ailments, kalonji has been associated with a wide range of health benefits.
However, many of them have only been examined in test-tube or animal studies.
Although more research is needed, adding kalonji to your diet or using it as a supplement could have a beneficial effect on several aspects of your health.