# Sex-Specific Effects of Cumin Supplementation on Body Composition, Lipid Levels, and Glycemic Profiles: A Pilot Study

## TL;DR

This study found that cumin affects body composition and cholesterol differently in men and women, suggesting it could be used in a personalized way.

## Contribution

The study is novel in identifying sex-specific effects of cumin on body composition and lipid profiles.

## Key findings

- Cumin improved muscle quality in women, as indicated by reduced extracellular-to-total body water ratio and increased phase angle.
- LDL cholesterol decreased in both men and women, but HDL cholesterol decreased only in men.
- No significant changes in glucose profiles were observed in either sex.

## Abstract

Objectives: Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is a medicinal plant in the Apiaceae family that is considered promising for treating lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. However, sex differences in the effects of cumin have not been well studied. This study aims to clarify the effects of cumin on body composition and lipid and glucose profiles and examine the differences in these effects between men and women.

Design and methods: We conducted a before-and-after trial with 29 healthy adults aged 22-74 at a single facility. After a two-month pre-intervention period, participants consumed 2 g of cumin powder daily for two months. We measured body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Additionally, we assessed blood biomarkers, including lipid and blood glucose profiles, at baseline and both before and after the intervention period. We analyzed the data using Student's t-tests and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests.

Results: In women, cumin intake significantly reduced the extracellular-to-total body water ratio and increased phase angle, suggesting improved muscle quality. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased significantly in both sexes, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) decreased in men only. There were no significant changes in glucose profiles.

Conclusion: Cumin showed sex-specific effects on body composition and lipid profiles. Muscle quality improved in women only following cumin consumption, and while its effects on LDL-C were similar in both sexes, its effects on HDL-C were specific to men. These findings indicate that cumin's health benefits vary by sex, highlighting its potential for personalized use.