This is the Health Benefits of Saffron

Saffron is a spice that can be used for flavoring, coloring, and flavoring food. Although better known as a spice in cooking, saffron is also believed to have a variety of health benefits, you know. Saffron is a spice in the form of fine, thin, red thread derived from the flower Crocus sativus. This is one of the most expensive spices in the world because of its complicated way of planting and harvesting, and requires special techniques. In addition, it takes 150 flowers to produce 1 gram of saffron yarn.

Health Benefits of Saffron

A number of studies have shown that saffron does have health benefits, including:

1. Ward off free radicals

Saffron contains various antioxidant components, so it can protect body cells from damage caused by free radicals. As we have seen, free radicals can cause various chronic diseases, including heart disease and cancer.

2. Reduce appetite and reduce weight

A study of a group of women showed that women who took saffron supplements for 8 weeks experienced a more significant decrease in appetite and weight compared to a group of women who did not take saffron supplements. Besides being able to help with weight loss, saffron is also known to reduce abdominal circumference and total fat mass in patients with coronary heart disease.

3. Improve mood and help treat depression

According to the results of several studies conducted in depressed patients, saffron supplements can be an adjunct in the treatment of mild to moderate depression, with side effects that tend to be minimal. Saffron also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects (nerve protection).

4. Helps cancer treatment

A laboratory study states that saffron can suppress the rate of growth of cancer cells in colon cancer. In addition, the antioxidant component in saffron called crocin can make cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy. Although the results of this study are promising, the anticancer effects of saffron still need to be further investigated and clinically proven in humans.

5. Relieve menstrual pain and PMS symptoms

In one study, a group of women who took capsules containing 15 mg of saffron twice a day experienced lighter physical and emotional symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) compared to a group of women who did not take capsules containing saffron.

6. Reducing blood fat levels

Although further studies are needed for a longer duration, consumption of saffron appears to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and increase the concentration of good cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

7. Helps alleviate Alzheimer's disease

In a study of people with Alzheimer's disease, consumption of saffron as much as 15 mg twice a day can significantly improve cognitive function.

8. Helps treat diabetes

In early research involving a sample of mice, saffron could increase the sensitivity of the hormone insulin. However, of course this still needs further investigation to prove the benefits of saffron in helping the treatment of diabetic patients. Based on various studies, consumption of saffron as much as 30 mg per day is enough to provide health benefits. In addition to capsules, saffron can also be consumed by brewing. It is advisable to buy saffron from a manufacturer or seller with a good reputation so that its authenticity is guaranteed, and you should select products that already have permission from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency. In general, saffron is safe for consumption as long as the dose is not excessive. Some of the side effects that can arise if this herb is consumed in excess are headaches, abdominal pain, nausea, changes in appetite, dry mouth, and drowsiness. In addition, consumption of saffron more than 5 grams per day has the risk of causing miscarriage in pregnant women. Consult your doctor if you want to take saffron, especially if you are going to take it regularly or together with other drugs and supplements. You need to know, saffron can interact with hypertension drugs and blood thinning drugs.