The Effect of Nigella sativa supplementation on glycated hemoglobin, lipid profile, and weight in adolescents with prediabetes and obesity: A pilot study

Background: Prediabetes and obesity are rising concerns among adolescents, with significant implications for long-term metabolic health. Nigella sativa has shown promise as an adjunct therapy for metabolic disturbances, though its effects in adolescent populations remain underexplored. Objectives: This research evaluated the effect of powdered supplements of N. sativa on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, and weight in prediabetic, obese adolescents aged 12 to 21 years. Methods: A total of 40 adolescents with prediabetes and obesity were enrolled in this pilot study. Participants were assigned to either the intervention group (2 g/day of N. sativa powder for 8 weeks) or a control group. The primary outcomes measured included HbA1c, lipid profile [low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglycerides], weight, and body mass index. A comparison before and after for both groups using a paired t-test was applied. A P-value <0.05 is considered significant. Results: After 8 weeks of supplementation, no statistically significant changes were observed in HbA1c, lipid profile, or weight in the intervention group (n = 18) compared to controls (n = 17). However, improved HbA1c, weight, and HDL cholesterol were observed in the N. sativa group. A slight decrease in triglycerides and an increase in HDL were observed, although these changes did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: While N. sativa supplementation showed trends toward improving metabolic parameters, the effects were not statistically significant in this pilot study. Larger, more rigorous studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore the potential role of N. sativa supplements in managing prediabetes and obesity in adolescents.