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For thousands of years, humans have turned to nature’s pantry for medicinal treatments — spices, herbs & plants — for their health benefits and healing powers. Today, I will discuss one of the golden gen of spices, plucked from the Crocus Sativus flower — Saffron!
The hand-harvesting process is quite labour-intensive and takes a lot of time & effort, which makes it the most priciest of all! There’s no doubt that saffron is the most expensive spice in the world, but trust me, it’s worth every penny as it is packed with goodness and can work wonders for your health!
So, are you curious why Saffron deserves a permanent spot in your daily routine? Keep reading!
Also Read: 11 Different Types Of Saffron In The World
Amazing Health Benefits Of The Golden Spice: Saffron
1. Fully-Packed With Antioxidants
When there’s an excessive release of free radicals in the body, it results in oxidative stress! It’s one of the culprits for damaging cells and triggering serious health issues such as Alzheimer’s, Cancer and Diabetes. Saffron is loaded with powerful antioxidants like safranal, crocin, crocetin, kaempferol and picrocrocin.
These antioxidants help in neutralizing free radicals and prevent their harmful effects on the human body. They also help reduce the risk of asthma, protect your brain & nervous system, fight against viral infections and beyond.
2. May Promote Eye Health
People who want to improve their vision can turn to saffron, as it’s one of the best choices! Many studies have stated that saffron helps in promoting eye health & retinal function. Saffron can be utilized for macular degeneration, a condition that affects the central vision as you age.
Thanks to its neuroprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, saffron can slow down this disease’s progression. One of the recent studies revealed that consuming 20 -50 mg of saffron for three months can help to sharpen vision in people with macular degeneration.
3. May Help To Enhance Mood
You must know that saffron is also called the “sunshine spice” because of its bright golden hue. Some of the studies found out that it helps in regulating mood and treating moderate depression. Different extracts of saffron are pretty effective to boost people’s mood and calming the mind, preventing anxiety issues. Studies have shown that saffron has been more effective in enhancing mood than placebo.
4. May Support Better Memory Function
The neuroprotective effects of saffron are said to be beneficial for memory function and brain health. It may have the capability to treat neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s diseases without causing any side effects. In addition, the sunshine spice also helps fight cognitive dysfunction by protecting nerve cells from free radical damage, which further prevents beta-amyloid protein from accumulating in the brain.
5. May Relieve Discomfort From PMS Symptoms
PMS, or Premenstrual Syndrome, is kind of that uninvited guest who shows up before your menstrual cycle begins with a physical and emotional grab bag. It brings along mood swings, skin breakouts, tender breasts, irritability, food cravings, depression, and a mix of aches & pain here and there!
Sounds familiar, right? But you are not alone in this — approximately 70% deal with it at some point. However, here’s something interesting that I want to share with you all — saffron might be the secret weapon we women didn’t know we needed! A recent study revealed that women aged 20 to 45 consuming just 30 mg of saffron every single day felt way better than those who took a placebo. Who knew this luxury spice could help us tackle PMS, too!
6. May Promote Sexual Health
Saffron is the key to giving your love life the boost it deserves! Research suggests that this golden spice may help to improve libido and erectile dysfunction. It can also be highly beneficial for people who suffer from antidepressant and diabetic-related sexual dysfunction. The study showed that saffron could even improve erectile dysfunction and satisfaction. However, it revealed contradictory outcomes related to semen characteristics. Another study found that saffron can have a positive impact on sexual health for men as well as women.
7. May Promote Good Sleep
Poor sleep quality often has negative impacts on people’s overall health. But, it has been found that saffron can support better sleep and improve your overall well-being compared to a placebo. In another study, adults who deal with sleep issues generally face anxiety problems, but consuming saffron helped them have a calm mind and fall asleep more easily. With just a pinch of this luxury spice, you can achieve better sleep quality and feel energetic all day long!
8. May Reduce The Risk Of Heart Disease
Preclinical studies have proven that saffron’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can help reduce blood cholesterol levels and keep your blood vessels & arteries healthy, which is great for cardiovascular health! Moreover, a small study found that individuals who took 100 mg of saffron for 12 weeks daily observed impressive results like controlled blood sugar levels, reduced triglycerides, lower cholesterol, less LDL, etc.
9. May Contribute To Cancer Prevention
Antioxidants in the saffron help protect cells from damage caused by harmful free radicals and oxidative stress. If not prevented, this damage can result in health problems like cancer. Studies suggest that antioxidants may help fight cancer cells, specifically in the colon, without impacting the healthy ones. However, more in-depth research is required to understand how saffron can help prevent cancer completely.
10. May Support Weight Loss
Saffron is the one that may help you keep your brain mindful and happy and keep your food cravings in check! It may affect neurotransmitter signals, which can further make you feel fuller & curb your appetite. This is great for managing your weight. In an 8-week trial, those consuming saffron snacked less and lost a significant amount of weight than those who didn’t.
11. May Regulate Blood Sugar Levels
Saffron can help you to keep your blood sugar levels in control! Some early animal studies show that it can help with improving insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels. Also, in a recent trial with type 2 diabetes, consuming 30 mg of saffron every day for 3 months helps lower fasting blood glucose levels. But, it did not significantly affect long-term sugar control (HbA1c). More research is still required to understand its benefits in a detailed manner.
Here’s The Easiest Way To Consume Saffron Regularly!
Wondering how to include saffron in your daily diet? Well, I’ve got a solution for this! You just need to take a few saffron threads and soak them in warm water for 2 to 3 minutes. You can add this to numerous delicacies or drink this saffron-infused water daily. The best part is that you can observe significant improvements when it comes to digestive problems or skin issues. This might even reduce hair fall and promote hair growth.
Wrapping It Up!
There’s a reason why saffron is also called the “golden spice” because its value is no less than gold! Saffron is rich in antioxidants and even contains anti-inflammatory properties; therefore, it boasts a wide range of amazing health benefits when consumed properly. Incorporating saffron into your daily routine can prove to be an effective way to improve your overall health. I know it’s on the pricier side, but the good news — you only need a small amount, which makes it worth it!
FAQs
What Is The Right Way To Store Saffron?
Saffron can be stored in an airtight container and safely stored in a dark and cool place. Remember not to store saffron in the refrigerator as the golden spice may develop fungus because of the moist environment.
Does Saffron Have An Expiration Date?
While saffron doesn’t spoil or go bad, its aroma, flavor & potency can fade over time, typically within 2 to 4 years.
Can Saffron Help With Anxiety?
It has been found that saffron’s aroma helps enhance mood, lowering stress-induced heart rate variability.
