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Black cumin oil is obtained from the seeds of Nigella sativa. New randomized studies examine different oils and special extracts, among other things for seasonal allergy, sleep problems, metabolic markers and knee osteoarthritis. The product form is important: the dose and the content of thymoquinone – one of the most important constituents studied – differ in some cases considerably. Results for a standardized extract therefore do not automatically apply to every black cumin

Taurine is a sulfur-containing compound that the body produces itself and that is additionally taken in through food. It occurs in various tissues and is involved, among other things, in processes affecting metabolism, muscle function and fluid balance. Recent human studies examine taurine above all in connection with vascular function, metabolism and physical performance under heat. Training and metabolic markers A randomized study from 2026 followed 44 men with obesity over

The porcini mushroom, scientifically Boletus edulis, is not only of culinary interest. Current work examines, among other things, its beta-glucans, antioxidant constituents and certain extracts obtained from it. For the current period, no direct intervention studies in humans were found. The following results therefore come from analyses of constituents as well as from cell and animal models, and show above all which biologically interesting properties are currently being inv

Image: AI Ashwagandha, botanically known as Withania somnifera, is a plant whose root has long been used in Ayurvedic tradition. Modern supplements usually use standardized root extracts. Important compounds in ashwagandha include withanolides. Ashwagandha is often discussed in relation to stress, sleep, calmness, resilience and hormone-related topics. The word adaptogen means that a plant is traditionally used to help the body deal with stress. In research, the exact extract

Image: AI When people think of blueberries, they usually think of the fruit first, but the leaves also contain interesting plant compounds. Tea can be made from the leaves, and some studies focus specifically on fermented blueberry leaf tea. Fermentation means that plant material is processed in a controlled way, which can change flavor and the compound profile. One important compound in blueberry leaves is hyperoside, a polyphenol from the flavonoid group. Polyphenols are se

Image:AI Magnesium is an essential mineral found in many foods and also used as a supplement. In the body, magnesium is involved in more than 300 enzyme systems. Enzymes are proteins that make many chemical processes in the body possible or faster. Magnesium plays a role in energy production, muscle function, nerve signaling, blood pressure regulation and blood glucose control. Many people know magnesium mainly from sports, muscle topics or stress. In reality, it is a basic m

How beetroot juice may enhance sports performance and recovery – summary of the latest human study (May 2026).

Image: AI Vitamin D is a fat-soluble micronutrient that also acts like a hormone precursor in the body. Part of it can be produced in the skin when UVB rays from sunlight are available. Only a few foods naturally contain meaningful amounts of vitamin D, including fatty fish, egg yolk, liver and fortified foods. It is best known for its role in calcium metabolism, bones, teeth and muscle function. It is also connected to immune function, inflammation regulation, mood and metab

Recent human studies on spinach mainly test two setups: a short, fixed raw-spinach intake around very hard exercise, or a standardized spinach extract (thylakoids) taken for weeks alongside high-intensity training. Reported changes include stress and inflammation markers (e.g., IL-6, MDA, SOD) and metabolic outcomes (body weight/fat mass, lipids, glucose/insulin, HOMA-IR). Training appears to be the main driver, with thylakoids acting as an add-on.

Vitamin C is typically studied in human trials in clearly defined settings with measurable endpoints: pneumonia treatment in hospital, blood vitamin C levels in relation to recent respiratory infections, type 2 diabetes markers (HbA1c, blood pressure, blood lipids), iron deficiency anemia (plant-based iron with vs without vitamin C), skin outcomes after microneedling with an antioxidant serum, wound healing in diabetic foot surgery, and oxidative-stress markers after viral in

Celery seeds are typically studied as a standardized preparation. This update summarizes the key findings on blood pressure and metabolic markers and explains what the data mean in practice.