Trinutra’s black seed oil improves blood pressure and heart rate levels, study finds

07 May 2020 --- Israeli company Trinutra’s cold-pressed black seed (Nigella sativa) oil can have a positive impact on blood pressure and heart rate levels. This is according to a new Trinutra-endorsed study, published in the journal Food Science & Nutrition Research. The seeds contain a high amount of thymoquinone which is the main active ingredient and a powerful antioxidant – hence the product’s name, ThymoQuin 3%. The non-randomized human clinical study tested the effects of ThymoQuin 3% in combination with a free fatty acid level of 1.8 percent on blood pressure and heart rate in healthy individuals.

“Almost a third of the adult population in the US experience hypertension, and natural products, including Nigella sativa oil, have long been considered as a therapeutic remedy in many traditional medicine practices across the world,” notes Morris Zelkha, CEO of TriNutra.

“This study demonstrated how ThymoQuin can help provide significant improvement toward healthy blood circulation measurements, which has not been seen from other more common varieties of black seed oil,” Zelkha adds.

The study followed 19 volunteers with baseline resting blood pressure measuring between systolic blood pressure (SBP) 135-159 and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 85-99 for 108 days. All subjects were given 500 mg of ThymoQuin 3%, containing 15 mg thymoquinone, for the first 42 days, followed by a washout period of three weeks, then a placebo for six weeks until study day 108. During the six-week treatment period, the subjects experienced a marked decrease of 11.2 percent in SBP and 12.2 percent DBP.

The study demonstrated how ThymoQuin can help provide significant improvement toward healthy blood circulation measurements.“The research supporting black seed oil supplementation for multiple facets of health continues to grow,” says Chris Holland, Vice President of Sales at Barrington Nutritionals, which Trinutra’s distribution partner. 

“The results of this study add to the arsenal of over 50 additional clinical trials demonstrating the benefits of black seed oil, it’s no wonder this powerful ingredient has been gaining increased awareness and interest over the last few years,” Holland concludes.

Previously, NutritionInsight spoke with Zelkha in a key interview, where he discussed the ingredients further benefits and applications. He explained how the company, which specializes in the R&D of natural nutritional supplements, spent several years developing a Nigella sativa breeding program to yield a high-concentration of thymoquinone varieties with up to five times more thymoquinone content.

In April, TriNutra obtained self-affirmed GRAS status for ThymoQuin 3%. Having provided the scientific evidence necessary to affirm this important FDA designation, an independent panel declared the oil in question as safe for foods, beverages, and dietary supplement applications. TriNutra affirms it aims to continue developing “lasting relationships with a wider range of customers that are looking for top-notch ingredients like ThymoQuin with which to improve new and existing formulations.”

To further explore herbal ingredients’ health potential, NutritionInsight reported on the matter, featuring expert opinions. Leading players explained how natural ingredients are setting new standards and redefining food and supplement NPD practices.

Meanwhile, the herbal ingredients arena is also affected by the current pandemic. Avoiding supply chain disruptions is fast becoming an industry priority amid the still unraveling COVID-19 outbreak. The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) recently reported a host of supply chain issues within the herbal ingredients sphere to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). These were submitted by AHPA member companies and refer to shortages and delivery disruptions for a variety of ingredients, supplies and services. In light of this, AHPA is collecting supply chain data to inform industry and government, and is inviting companies to complete a relevant survey to aid with the endeavor.

Edited by Kristiana Lalou