Black Seed Tea with Honey
Quick answer
A medium portion of Black Seed Tea with Honey (240 ml) contains 67 kcal, with 10.3 g of net carbohydrates and 1.9 g of protein. Its glycemic index is 61 (Medium) for how fast it raises blood sugar, while its glycemic load per portion is 6.3 (Low) for its actual effect.
- Carbs13.2 g74.1%
- Protein1.9 g10.8%
- Fat1.2 g15.2%
- Fibre2.9 g
Percentages of total energy (calories)
How many calories are in black seed tea with honey?
Black seed (Nigella sativa), or "the black seed", has a special place in Arab homes. The infusion made from it with honey is a warming winter drink. There are 28 calories per 100 ml, and a cup (240 ml) has about 67 calories, most of them from the honey.
Does the drink raise blood sugar?
Here the whole calculation is about the honey: the black seed itself adds few calories to the infusion, while honey has an index of about 61, which means medium, close to ordinary sugar.
But since the amount in the cup is reasonable, the glycemic load is about 6, which means low. So one cup has a mild effect.
What do studies say about black seed?
Many studies are looking at black seed and its oil in relation to blood sugar and cholesterol, and some of the results are encouraging. But most of them are small and short, and use capsules or oil in set doses, not a cup of infusion. So enjoy it as a drink, but don't treat it as a remedy.
How to drink it smartly
- Cut the honey to half a spoon, or use two drops of stevia.
- You can lightly crush the seeds before boiling to bring out more flavour.
- One cup a day, not instead of water.
Lighter alternatives
- Instead of black seed with a full spoon of honey: half a spoon, or stevia.
- Instead of sweetened juice: a light cup of black seed tea. Read also: Fenugreek Tea with Honey
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 ml | Per typical portion (240 ml) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 28 kcal | 67.2 kcal |
| Protein | 0.8 g | 1.9 g |
| Carbohydrate | 5.5 g | 13.2 g |
| Available carbohydrate | 4.3 g | 10.3 g |
| Sugar | not available | — |
| Fat | 0.5 g | 1.2 g |
| Dietary fibre | 1.2 g | 2.9 g |
| Glycemic index | 61 · Medium | |
| Glycemic load | — | 6.3 |
| Insulin index | not tested | |
The typical portion is approximate, for comparison purposes.
Comparison & smarter alternatives
Among the foods in Drinks with a glycemic index (21), it ranks 18 (lowest first).
Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in a cup of black seed tea with honey?
About 67 calories per cup (240 ml), most of them from the honey.
Does black seed tea with honey raise blood sugar?
Honey has a medium index (61), but the load of a cup is low (about 6). The amount is what makes the difference.
Does black seed lower blood sugar?
There are encouraging but small studies, mostly on capsules or oil. It is not a substitute for diabetes treatment.
How do I make black seed tea?
A small spoon of lightly crushed black seed, boiled for 5 minutes in a cup of water, then strained.
Read also
- HbA1c & Insulin Resistance: Comprehensive Clinical GuideArticle
- Prediabetes: How to Stop the Train and Lower Your HbA1cGuide
References & Scientific Sources
- This value is an estimate, not a direct laboratory measurement of this food. Details in the next item. GI bands (low ≤ 55 · medium 56–69 · high ≥ 70) follow: ISO 26642:2010. Food products — Determination of the glycaemic index (GI) and recommendation for food classification. International Organization for Standardization; 2010. www.iso.org/standard/43633.html
- The glycemic index of this food is taken from honey (average 61 ± 3), because most of the carbohydrate in the drink comes from honey; it is not a direct laboratory measurement of the drink. Atkinson FS, Foster-Powell K, Brand-Miller JC. International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values: 2008. Diabetes Care. 2008;31(12):2281–3.
- Definition of available carbohydrate and glycemic load: FAO/WHO. Carbohydrates in human nutrition: report of a joint FAO/WHO expert consultation. FAO Food and Nutrition Paper 66. Rome; 1998. www.fao.org/4/w8079e/w8079e00.htm
Medically reviewed by Dr. Wassim Habib | Founder, WiBo Health · 31 October 2026
Disclaimer: This guidance is for nutritional lifestyle orientation and does not constitute a diagnostic medical device under EU Regulation MDR 2017/745.