
black seed oil
Oils & Fats
Is black seed oil high in polyols?
Find out whether black seed oil is high or low in polyols, see its exact rating, and check its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility all in one place.
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Compare black seed oil across criteria
Sensitivity notes
Why polyols food checker matters
Polyols (sugar alcohols) are found naturally in some fruits and vegetables, and are used as artificial sweeteners. They're poorly absorbed and can cause digestive symptoms, especially in IBS sufferers.
- Avoid sugar-free products with sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol
- Stone fruits are naturally high in polyols
- Cooking doesn't reduce polyol content
Triggers
Diets
Serving size, prep, and portion notes for black seed oil
Black seed oil, pressed from Nigella sativa, is one of the few things in this database that grades A on every single trigger column: histamine, histamine liberation, tyramine, salicylates, oxalate, nickel, sulfites, nitrites, free glutamate, lectins, gluten, lactose, dairy protein and all five FODMAP groups. It is worth noting that the whole seed grades D for salicylates while the oil grades A, because those phenolics stay with the solids in the press cake. The honest caveat on this page is not a food chemical at all. Black seed oil is bought as a supplement rather than as a cooking fat, its active compound thymoquinone has measurable effects on drug-metabolising enzymes and on blood sugar and blood pressure, and the dose in a daily spoonful is nothing like the dose in a salad dressing.
Watch for
Thymoquinone competitively inhibits CYP2C9, the enzyme that clears warfarin, and laboratory work also puts it on CYP2D6 and CYP3A4. Supplement level intakes (roughly a gram a day of oil or more) are the amounts flagged, not a pinch of the seed on bread. If you take warfarin, an anticoagulant, or anything with a narrow therapeutic window, this belongs on your medication list, not in your quiet supplement drawer / It lowers blood glucose and blood pressure in trials, which is exactly why people take it, and exactly why it stacks with metformin, insulin or antihypertensives. Symptoms logged as a reaction (shakiness, lightheadedness on standing) can be that additive effect rather than an intolerance / Topical use is where most reported reactions come from. Allergic contact dermatitis to black seed oil is well documented, including a case that progressed to eosinophilia with systemic symptoms and needed corticosteroids. If you use it on skin and eat it, you will not know which route caused a flare unless you separate them / Potency is unregulated and thymoquinone content varies enormously between bottles, so two products at the same spoonful can be different doses. High doses have caused liver and kidney damage in animal studies, with human data lacking / A tablespoon of any pressed oil is a fat load. Loose stools or reflux after a morning spoonful are usually the fat and the empty stomach, not a trigger chemical
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Polyols Guide
Everything you need to know about polyols sensitivity and smart food choices.
Polyols (sugar alcohols) are found naturally in some fruits and vegetables, and are used as artificial sweeteners. They're poorly absorbed and can cause digestive symptoms, especially in IBS sufferers.
Sensitivity varies widely. What triggers one person may be fine for another. Track your reactions to find your personal threshold.
These foods are generally well-tolerated for Polyols sensitivity:
View all safe optionsThese foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in polyols and may trigger symptoms:
View full listIf you're sensitive to Polyols, consider these strategies:
- 1Avoid sugar-free products with sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol
- 2Stone fruits are naturally high in polyols
- 3Cooking doesn't reduce polyol content
- 4Avocado portion size matters - small amounts may be fine
- 5Cauliflower and mushrooms are common triggers
Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.
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Get the AppFAQ
Is black seed oil high in Polyols?
Polyols: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat black seed oil if I'm sensitive to Polyols?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Paleo AIP, Histamine, and Histamine Liberators next for a fuller picture.





