Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a multi-component condition characterized by multiple physiological abnormalities, often resulting from a disparity between energy intake and expenditure, and is further influenced by an individual’s genetic and epigenetic factors (1). MetS has emerged as a public health concern in both developed and developing countries. It is characterized by abnormalities such as impaired fasting glucose, central obesity, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-C), elevated triglyceride (TG) levels, and hypertension, which cluster together to create a morbid state (2). Metabolic syndrome is linked to a higher likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases among 25% of the world’s population. The underlying contributing factors are abdominal adiposity and insulin resistance (3). MetS has been found to have a higher prevalence in men than in women with a heightened likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and overall mortality (4). Over the past decade, the gut microbiota has been identified as a major predictor of metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. Dysbiosis is caused by an obesogenic diet that activates pro-inflammatory processes and causes metabolic endotoxemia, which can promote insulin resistance and cardiometabolic disorders in the population (5). Sedentary lifestyle and excessive calorie intake from a diet high in fats and carbohydrates contribute to vascular alterations and hypercholesterolemia (6). A high-fat diet (HFD) contributes to metabolic disturbances by disrupting redox balance, which weakens the body’s natural antioxidant defense mechanisms against oxidative stress. Additionally, it impairs glucose and lipid regulation and promotes the accumulation of visceral fat (7). Excessive salt consumption has been linked to metabolic diseases, such as insulin resistance, which often coexist with hypertension (8). A high intake of oral sodium in obese individuals is linked to increased urinary sodium excretion, which may contribute to the formation of renal calculi. The kidneys play a key role in regulating electrolyte balance, and excessive sodium intake can lead to hypercalciuria, thereby promoting the formation of calcium stones. In obesity, altered dietary habits and higher metabolic load further disrupt urinary composition. In addition, an elevated body mass index (BMI) itself is an independent risk factor for nephrolithiasis (9). Effective dietary strategies to address metabolic syndrome-associated comorbidities should include lifestyle modifications, such as following a balanced, energy-restricted diet, incorporating functional foods and bioactive nutrients, achieving weight loss, and increasing physical activity (10). Healthy eating and lifestyle changes are the mainstays of metabolic syndrome (MetS) treatment (11). To combat chronic diseases linked to obesity that can jeopardize overall health, strict adherence to healthy eating habits combined with calorie restriction may be beneficial. The Mediterranean diet is considered the best paradigm for evaluating individuals who are overweight or obese (12). Recent studies have shown that cuminaldehyde, a compound found in cumin, exhibits significant α-glucosidase and aldose reductase inhibitory activity (13). Cuminum cyminum, a member of the Apiaceous family, is extensively utilized in Ayurvedic medicine for managing various ailments (14). Cuminaldehyde (4-isopropylbenzaldehyde) is an organic compound classified as a natural aldehyde, with the molecular formula C₁₀H₁₂O. It is a bioactive component of Cuminum cyminum, Carum caraway, and Cinnamomum verum, among others. Studies have shown that cuminaldehyde exhibits potent antidiabetic effects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and functions as an effective lipoxygenase inhibitor (13, 15). Zujko et al. (11) investigated the effects of individualized nutrition intervention on reducing the components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in 90 participants diagnosed with MetS. The participants were assigned to an intervention group (INEG) and a control group (CG) for 3 months. The results showed that individual nutrition education led to improvement in dietary habits, knowledge, and physical activity. The diet modification, which included a higher intake of polyphenols, fiber, PUFA, and PUFA n-3 and a lower intake of SFA, significantly improved the risk factors associated with MetS, such as waist circumference, fasting glucose levels, and HDL cholesterol (11). A 12-month lifestyle program for managing metabolic syndrome (MetS), involving a healthcare team, successfully reversed the participants’ metabolic abnormalities. The study assessed nutrient intake and diet quality over the year, revealing reduced total energy intake, increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, and nuts, and decreased intake of processed and commercially baked foods. Notably, these dietary improvements were observed within the first 3 months and were sustained throughout the 12-month period (16). MetS can be managed through dietary modification. The DASH diet emphasizes the inclusion of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products while restricting total fat, saturated fat, and sodium intake. This dietary approach helps reduce body weight, lower total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and improve insulin and glucose regulation, as evidenced by previous studies (17). Adherence to the Mediterranean diet has been associated with reductions in body weight and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and improvements in lipid profiles among metabolic syndrome patients, as evidenced by recent studies (18).

Pakistan ranks ninth among the world’s most obese nations, and obesity is associated with a multitude of risk factors, including dyslipidemia. Metabolic syndrome affects 18 to 46% of the Pakistani population. Lifestyle-related risk factors are associated with metabolic syndrome; therefore, addressing these factors is considered a primary focus target for preventive therapies. The researcher aimed to investigate the synergistic effect of a carbohydrate-controlled diet and cumin seed herbal infusion on ameliorating metabolic syndrome, which is a major cause of mortality. Consuming cumin tea regularly, along with diet therapy, leads to improvements in hematological biomarkers and anthropometric measurements.

According to the result, 56% of the patients had three disorders, whereas 44% of the patients had four to five disorders. The mean age of the patients with MetS was 37.54 ± 7.59 years. The age range of the participants was 21–60 years.

Table 4 shows the changes in the mean scores of blood pressure readings in both the control and intervention groups. In the control group, the mean systolic blood pressure was 146.34 ± 5.25 before the intervention and 142.00 ± 4.88 after the intervention. In the intervention group (T₁), the mean systolic blood pressure was 144.18 ± 3.29 before the intervention and 136.84 ± 3.98 after the intervention. A statistically significant interaction was found between time and group for systolic blood pressure, with F (1, 65) = 86.28 and a p-value < 0.001.

In the control group, the mean diastolic blood pressure was 87.45 ± 2.13 before the intervention and 83.56 ± 2.63 after the intervention. In the intervention group (T₁), the mean diastolic blood pressure was 87.41 ± 2.17 before the intervention and 78.66 ± 2.99 after the intervention. A statistically significant interaction was found between time and group for diastolic blood pressure, with F (1, 65) = 98.82 and a p-value < 0.001, indicating a substantial difference in the pre- to post-intervention changes between the intervention and control groups.

The current study aimed to determine the combined effect of diet and cumin herbal tea on the clinical outcomes of metabolic syndrome, including abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance. The findings demonstrated that integrating cumin tea with a carbohydrate-controlled dietary approach significantly enhanced metabolic outcomes compared to either intervention alone. Metabolic syndrome is a chronic disease with lifestyle interventions serving as a foundation of treatment. Nutritional interventions, focused primarily on weight loss, are ineffective in addressing all risk factors. Diet quality is also a major contributor to reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome (20).

The participants in the combined intervention group exhibited substantial improvements in fasting blood glucose levels, as evidenced by the results (F (1, 65) = 21.10, p < 0.001). The results are based on the hypoglycemic effects of cumin, attributed to its bioactive compound cuminaldehyde, which improves glucose metabolism and reduces oxidative stress. The carbohydrate-controlled diet complements this by reducing postprandial glucose levels and promoting a stable insulin response through the inclusion of low glycemic index foods. The combined intervention also led to significant reductions in triglycerides and increases in HDL cholesterol. These lipid improvements likely resulted from the synergistic effects of cumin’s lipid-lowering properties and the metabolic benefits of carbohydrate restriction. A study reported by Zare et al. found that the administration of cumin (3gm /day) to overweight and obese women resulted in reductions in serum fasting cholesterol levels, triglycerides, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and body fat percentage. It also enhanced the concentration of high-density lipoprotein and improved anthropometric parameters (21).

Taghizadeh et al. (22) conducted a study on 72 overweight participants to investigate the combined impact of Cuminum cyminum L. and lime, administered in doses of 75 mg and 25 mg, respectively, over 8 weeks. The higher dose of the nutraceutical (cumin and lime) resulted in declines in fasting plasma glucose levels (p < 0.001), serum triglycerides (p = 0.03), total cholesterol levels (p = 0.004), and LDL cholesterol levels (p = 0.01) (22).

Aktas et al. conducted a study on 80 obese participants to investigate the impact of a low-calorie diet and physical activity on body weight over 12 weeks. Turkish Muslims residing in Germany are prone to developing obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome. The results revealed that tailored lifestyle interventions led to a significant reduction of 6% in body weight and improvements in the levels of glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and cholesterol (23).

Abdominal obesity, measured by waist circumference and BMI, improved significantly in the combined intervention group compared to the control group. While carbohydrate restriction promoted fat loss through reduced calorie intake and enhanced satiety, cumin’s thermogenic properties and ability to regulate fat metabolism amplified these results (p < 0.001). Karpagam and Priya (24) conducted a human trial to evaluate the impact of Cuminum cyminum combined with lime water on obesity. Participants consumed the preparation every morning on an empty stomach for 3 weeks. The preparation involved boiling 200 mL of water with 2 grams of cumin seeds, allowing it to steep overnight, and then adding the juice of half a lime before consumption. The findings demonstrated that the Cuminum cyminum and lime water combination effectively reduced overweight and obesity (p < 0.005) (24). Cumin supplementation has also been linked to a decrease in body mass index (BMI) (25).

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) supplementation significantly reduces total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. It shows no significant effect on triglyceride levels, except in individuals without hypertriglyceridemia, indicating its efficacy in managing lipid profiles. Cumin supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in TC, with studies reporting mean differences of −3.96 mg/dL and −10.90 mg/dL. Cumin was effective in lowering LDL-C, with reductions of −6.94 mg/dL noted. An increase in HDL-C levels was observed, with a mean difference of 3.35 mg/dL (26). Cumin supplementation has been associated with a significant decrease in total cholesterol levels, with studies reporting reductions ranging from approximately 3.96 mg/dL to 10.90 mg/dL (25, 26).

Cuminum cyminum supplementation has been shown to lower total cholesterol and BMI. It also improves waist circumference, high-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels, although its effect on low-density lipoprotein is inconclusive without longer supplementation periods. Cumin supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in TC, with studies reporting a mean difference of −3.96 mg/dL (25).

Notable improvements in blood pressure were observed, with greater reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure observed in the combined intervention group. The antihypertensive effects of cumin, attributed to its antioxidant properties and enhancement of nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation, likely complimented the weight loss and metabolic improvements induced by the carbohydrate-controlled diet. Together, these interventions may improve endothelial function and reduce arterial stiffness over time. Although cumin exhibits promising nephroprotective properties, a study conducted by Alfahdawi et al. (27) investigated the effect of an aqueous extract of cumin seeds on kidney function in albino rats. The results showed improvements in kidney function, with a p-value of <0.05 (27). Similar results were reported by Kumar et al. (28), where the administration of Cuminum cyminum aqueous extract significantly restored elevated levels of urea, uric acid, and creatinine in mice (28).

In conjunction with exercise, cumin extract has been shown to improve insulin resistance, further supporting metabolic health. Cumin extract consumption, when combined with pilates training, significantly improved lipid profiles in overweight and obese women. The intervention led to decreased serum triglyceride, cholesterol, and LDL levels, while increasing HDL levels, as observed in a previous study (29).

Cuminum cyminum exhibits a hepatoprotective effect, as evidenced by significant reductions in liver enzyme levels. This is demonstrated by the results for ALP: F (1, 65) = 14.45, p < 0.001. Cuminum cyminum seeds powder exhibits hepatoprotective properties, suggesting it may aid in liver function recovery following acetaminophen-induced injury. This indicates potential therapeutic benefits for liver health, particularly in mitigating damage caused by certain pharmaceutical agents (30). Previous research indicates that cumin seed powder supplementation can prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and reduce oxidative stress in rats that are fed a high-fat diet, suggesting a potential protective effect on liver function related to dietary fat intake (31).

This study’s key strength lies in the novel exploration of the combined effects of two complementary interventions, providing a comprehensive approach to managing metabolic syndrome-associated comorbidities. The findings of the study underscore the potential of integrating functional foods such as cumin into tailored dietary strategies for metabolic syndrome management. This discussion highlights the potential synergistic effects of cumin and a carbohydrate-controlled diet, emphasizing their complementary roles in improving metabolic health.

The findings of this study suggest that combining a carbohydrate-controlled diet with Cuminum cyminum (cumin) infusion may support improvements in metabolic parameters among individuals with metabolic syndrome. Notable reductions were observed in lipid profile markers, including total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides, along with modest improvements in renal function indicators. These outcomes may be attributed in part to the bioactive compounds in cumin, such as cuminaldehyde, which are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. While the results are promising, the intervention should be considered a complementary approach alongside standard dietary and lifestyle modifications. Additional long-term, blinded, and standardized studies are needed to confirm these findings and clarify the role of cumin as an adjunct therapy in managing metabolic syndrome.