Saffron is a spice that comes from the crocus, Crocus sativus. It has been used as a food and cosmetic for thousands of years. Saffron contains more than 150 volatile and aroma-yielding compounds.
Saffron contains two main components: crocin and picrocrocin. Crocin is responsible for saffron’s golden color, while picrocrocin gives it its bitter taste. The lack of picrocrocin will result in pale yellow saffron instead of the usual red-orange color.
In ancient Greece and Rome, it was used as an aphrodisiac and to treat menstrual cramps. Modern research has shown that saffron’s health benefits may also help improve moods, reduce inflammation, and protect against cancer.
The benefits of saffron include the following
1. Relieves Depression
A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that consuming 2mg of saffron extract daily for two weeks significantly improved depression symptoms in women with mild to moderate depression compared to those who received placebos. Researchers believe this effect may be due to saffron’s ability to increase serotonin levels in the brain.
2. Reduces Inflammation
Saffron contains crocin and crocetin, which have anti-inflammatory properties similar to those found in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A study published in Phytotherapy Research found that 2mg of saffron extract per day for 12 weeks reduced inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis by 66% compared with 13% for placebo.
3. Eases Menopause Symptoms
Some studies suggest that saffron may be helpful for menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings because it contains phytoestrogens (plant-based estrogens) that act like natural hormones in the body. However, more research is needed before experts recommend its use for menopause.
4. Boosts Mood
Saffron can help improve mood by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in regulating moods and sleep cycles.
5. Saffron has been used as a beauty remedy because of its medicinal properties. It has been found to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.
It helps in treating various health conditions such as:
Stomach ulcers – Saffron contains carotenoids known for their anti-inflammatory properties and help heal stomach ulcers. It also has crocin which helps in reducing inflammation caused by stomach ulcers
Diabetes – Saffron helps in regulating blood sugar levels by increasing insulin secretion from the pancreas
Cancer – The antioxidants present in saffron help fight against cancer cells and prevent them from spreading further into the body
Heart disease – Saffron contains crocin which helps lower cholesterol levels, thereby preventing heart diseases
6. Reducing anxiety and stress
Saffron contains antioxidant compounds called crocin and crocetin. These compounds have been found to reduce anxiety in some studies. One study found that crocin reduced anxiety in mice by increasing their levels of serotonin (a brain chemical that helps regulate mood). Another study found that crocin increased levels of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a neurotransmitter that may be involved in reducing feelings of stress or anxiety.
7. Stimulating appetite
Saffron is known to stimulate appetite because it increases salivation and enhances the flavor of food through its aroma. This can be especially beneficial for people on weight loss diets or who want to gain weight naturally by consuming more calories each day than they burn off through physical activity or other means.
8. An aphrodisiac.
People who consume saffron experience increased sexual desire and activity due to the presence of safranal – an aromatic terpene with aphrodisiac properties found in both saffron and marijuana.
9. Enhances memory and cognition
Saffron extracts can also help improve memory and cognition in healthy adults. And this effect isn’t limited to adults with mild memory impairment or Alzheimer’s disease — it works for people with normal cognitive function as well.
10. Liver detoxifier
Saffron’s carotenoids and phenolic compounds help protect against liver disease by boosting antioxidant activity in the liver and preventing free radical damage from harmful toxins such as alcohol intake or free radicals produced during exercise.
11. Reduces the risk of cancer
Saffron contains antioxidant flavonoid compounds such as quercetin that have been shown to reduce tumor growth rates in animal studies.
12. Natural antidepressant
Saffron contains antioxidants, which help alleviate depression and other mood disorders by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.
13. Boosts immunity
Saffron helps fight infections by increasing your body’s immune response. The antioxidants in saffron protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals, leading to serious diseases like cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
In a nutshell, saffron has plenty of health benefits—more than its stigma as an overpriced herb would suggest. Many of its healing properties are backed by clinical trials on humans, and it’s no surprise that many believe saffron is the answer to many of their ailments. Whether saffron does have the potential to cure cancer or not remains to be seen, but that shouldn’t stop you from adding this glorious spice to your cooking.
