Saffron: The 4 in 1 Power Spice

Written By: Vivian Benjamin

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Let’s talk about Crocus Sativus Linnaeus
Crocus Sativus Linnaeus, commonly called saffron, is a medicinal plant cultivated since 4000 years ago. Saffron comes from a flower called Crocus Sativus and originated from Persia. Nevertheless, currently it is cultivated in most countries such as Spain, Greece, Italy, Middle East countries, India, China, New Zealand and Australia.



Crocus Sativus Linnaeus comes from the family Iridaceae. This medicinal spice usually grows between 10cm and 30cm. The flower generally blooms during early autumn and is purple.



In the past, saffron was used as a traditional medicine, to preserve food, a food colouring and a spice. Presently, saffron continues to be utilized as a food colouring as well as a spice however; not many people are aware of its health benefits nor is it used to treat minor illnesses.




Nutrition Takes explores the medicinal properties of saffron and how you can incorporate saffron into your daily diet. 




9 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Saffron
1. Antioxidant properties
Humans are all exposed to environmental hazards due to poor diet, pollution, stress, and unhealthy lifestyles. These hazards become free radicals that destroy the cells in your body.


Food rich with antioxidant properties helps defend against these free radicals. Studies concluded that saffron contains several plant compounds that act as antioxidants which, fight off free radicals. According to the studies, saffron has higher levels of antioxidants than tomatoes and carrots. 





2. Reduce inflammation
Inflammation plays a key role in the development of many illnesses such as cancer, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and many more. Several studies done on saffron show promising effects in reducing inflammation in the body.  




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3. Improve mood
Many factors can affect a person’s mood in their daily life. Studies have shown that incorporating saffron is evidenced to improve mood. Aside from that, saffron has the potential to reduce mild to moderate depression and anxiety. 

4. Prevent cancer
Cancer is a non-communicable disease that can affect anyone around the world. Presently, this illness is one of the leading causes of mortality globally.


Poor diet and lifestyle choices are the primary factors contributing to cancer. Studies done on saffron demonstrate that saffron can prevent skin, breast, pancreatic, colorectal and lung cancer.



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5. Cardioprotective properties
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has long been in our midst. Globally, 9.6 million deaths among men were due to CVD in 2019. Similarly, this disease killed 8.9 million women around the world in that same year.


People aged between 30-70 years old are mostly impacted by heart disease. Poor diet, unhealthy lifestyles, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are some of the risk factors leading to heart disease.


Studies done on saffron show that saffron can lower the blood pressure and cholesterol in the body. 
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6. Regulate sugar level
Diabetes is a chronic, long-lasting health condition that affects the population worldwide, due to impairment of the pancreas. Recently, many young adults and children are developing this chronic illness due to poor diet and unhealthy lifestyle choices.


Studies display that saffron can help regulate the sugar level in the body thus; it is essential to incorporate it in daily diet. 
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7. Improve eye-sight
At times, the capability to see the world’s beauty can be taken for granted. The eye is a sensitive organ, susceptible to various disorders predominantly impaired vision. Damaged vision affects us greatly in our everyday lives. It limits your independence, safety, self-esteem, work, and lifestyle choices. 


Saffron contains a plant compound called crocin, which is beneficial for eye health. Besides that, saffron also displays promising effects to enhance the eyesight of people suffering from age-related macular degeneration. 
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8. Neurodegenerative properties
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain impairment that destroys memory and thinking skills subsequently; hindering an individual from performing the simplest task. Parkinson's disease is caused by the loss of nerve cells in the brain consequently; leading to slow movement and stiffness.


Saffron contains crocin, crocetin, and safranal (plant compounds), which have the potential to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson's disease. 
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9. Reduce premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms
Most women of reproductive age go through premenstrual syndrome, which is characterised by changes in emotional, physical and behavioural symptoms.


These symptoms can be alleviated by incorporating saffron. Thanks to its plant compounds and saffron’s tendency to improve mood, symptoms such as irritability and pain can be relieved.
 
 
 
 
 
Incorporating Saffron into Daily Diet
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How can you incorporate this spice into your daily diet? Besides having healthy nutrients, saffron can be used as a spice to enhance the flavour of a food, used to preserve food and as food colouring.



The best way to consume saffron is by grinding it into fine powder. Then, you can sprinkle it onto your food before you cook it.


This medicinal spice can be used to flavour sweet or savoury kinds of food for instance; rice pudding, ice cream, spice-flavoured rice, stewed dishes with meat and vegetables and soups.


Saffron can also be drunk as a tea. Thanks to its delicate and fast-release texture, the threads can be steeped in hot or boiling water nevertheless; direct heat must be avoided as it reduces the nutrients.












 
All in All
Crocus Sativus Linnaeus or saffron is not only an ancient spice but also one of the most valuable spices due to its cost and health benefits. Saffron is the 4 in 1 power spice as it has many different roles ranging from its medicinal properties to uses in the culinary world to flavour, preserve and colour food.



Nutrition Takes explores the 9 health benefits of saffron and how you can integrate saffron into your daily diet.




Share in the comments section below if you already use saffron in your daily diet and how it affects your mental and physical health. Alternatively, if you are new to medicinal plants I hope you can take these inspiring messages and cultivate a happy healthy life.
 
 
 
 
 






Reference
1. Imen G et al (2022); Saffron (Crocus sativus L.): A Source of Nutrients for Health and for the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric and Age-
   Related Diseases; Nutrients; 14(3): 597.
2. Joanne F et al (2022): Effects of Saffron Extract Supplementation on Mood, Well-Being, and Response to a Psychosocial Stressor in
   Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel Group, Clinical Trial; Frontiers in Nutrition; 7: 606124.
3. Maria A.M et al (2020); Saffron: Chemical Composition and Neuroprotective Activity; Molecules; 25(23): 5618.
4. Yumi M et al (2022); Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) as a valuable spice and food product; Longhua Chinese Medicine; 5:18.
5. Keith S (2020); Saffron Potential Health Benefits; Nutrition Today; 55(6): 294-303.
6. Hassan A et al ( 2019); Saffron: The Golden Spice with Therapeutic Properties on Digestive Diseases; Nutrients; 11(5): 943.
7. Charles S (2023); Saffron: The Colourful Spice; International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science; 34: 100821.