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10 Impressive Health Benefits of Saffron
Saffron, the three red stigmas of the Crocus Sativus flower, also known as “Red Gold”, is the most expensive spice in the world due to its labour-intensive cultivation and harvesting process. Over 90% of the world’s saffron production comes from Iran and is traditionally used as a food flavouring, natural dye and health remedy for over three millennia.
Here are 10 impressive health benefits of saffron
Powerful antioxidants
Saffron contains several potent antioxidants (crocin, crocetin and safranal) that help protect cells against free radicals and oxidative stress, enhance immunity, improve mood, reduce inflammation, improve cognitive health and etc.
Anti-inflammatory properties
Saffron has powerful anti-inflammatory abilities due to its high antioxidants that help reduce CRP levels and decrease serum concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which help to alleviate inflammation in arthritis, asthma, cough, sore throat and fever.
Controls blood sugar levels
Saffron helps to reduce blood sugar levels and increases insulin sensitivity.
Promotes heart health
Saffron is known to have cardioprotective effects. It helps to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and prevent the formation of blood clots, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes.
Promotes digestive health
Saffron helps to ease indigestion, reduce bloating and gas, improve bowel movements, reduce acid reflux and relieve gastric discomfort.
Mood enhancement
Saffron, also known as “sunshine spice”, has been traditionally used to improve mood and alleviate depression symptoms. Research has proven that saffron may increase serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter known for its mood-regulating properties in the brain.
Reduces PMS symptoms
Saffron helps to alleviate premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, depression, anxiety, and headaches. It also helps to reduce menstrual pain.
Improves sleeping quality
Saffron has soothing and calming properties which help to treat insomnia, as well as improve sleep quality and duration.
Enhances immunity
The antioxidants in saffron have immunomodulatory properties, which can help to prevent cold and flu, as well as strengthen the body’s natural defence mechanism.
Improves cognitive function
Research has proven that saffron helps to improve memory, attention and overall cognitive function, making it beneficial for age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.
References:
Saffron: A Multifunctional Spice with Extensive Applications in Pharmacological Therapy and Food Industry. Food Chem. 2021;338:127825. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127825
Efficacy of saffron (Crocus sativus) in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2013;13:302. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-13-302
Effect of saffron (Crocus sativus) on appetite and food intake in overweight and obese adults: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Appetite. 2013;67:84-89. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2013.04.002
Saffron and its anti-inflammatory potentials. Food Nutr Res. 2015;59:27955. doi:10.3402/fnr.v59.27955
最佳免疫力保健综合植物饮料
藏红花（Saffron）素来有“红色黄金”之称，每朵花蕾仅有3根雌蕊红柱头，经纯手工种植、采收、剥离等复杂工序，造就它成为世界上最昂贵的香料。全世界90%以上的藏红花来自于伊朗，三千年以来广泛用于食品调味剂、天然染料和保健药物，他们相信男人吃藏红花可以更强壮，女士吃藏红花可以更漂亮，建议每个亚健康人士一定要拥有一瓶藏红花保健品！
今天，我们就来讲讲这种珍贵香料的10项神奇益处：
高抗氧化
藏红花富含多种抗氧化剂，比如藏红花素、藏红花酸和藏红花醛，有助于保护细胞免受自由基和氧化应激的损伤，同时增强免疫力、缓解负面情绪、减少炎症、增强认知健康等。
抗炎特性
藏红花具有强大的抗炎能力，其高抗氧化剂成分有助于降低C反应蛋白水平（CRP）和促炎细胞因子，从而有助于改善关节炎、哮喘、咳嗽、喉咙痛和发烧等炎症引起的症状。
控制血糖水平
藏红花有助于降低血糖水平，并提升胰岛素敏感性。
促进心脏健康
藏红花被认为对心脏有一定保护作用。它有助于降低血压、降低胆固醇水平并预防血栓，从而降低心脏病和中风等心血管疾病的风险。
促进消化健康
藏红花有助于缓解消化不良，减少腹胀和胀气，同时促进肠道蠕动、减少胃酸倒流和缓解胃部不适。
提振情绪
藏红花也被称为“阳光香料”，传统上用于改善情绪和缓解抑郁症状。研究证明藏红花可提高血清素水平，血清素是一种神经递质，具有调节大脑情绪的特性。
缓解经前PMS症状
藏红花有助于缓解经前综合症(PMS)的症状，包括情绪波动、烦躁、抑郁、焦虑和头痛等。它还有助于缓解经痛。
改善睡眠质量
藏红花具有舒缓和镇定的特性，有助于改善失眠、提高睡眠质量和延长睡眠时间。
增强免疫力
藏红花富含抗氧化剂，具有免疫调节作用，有助于预防感冒和流感，增强人体的自然防御机制。
改善认知功能
研究证明，藏红花有助于改善记忆力、注意力和整体认知功能，从而有益于与年龄相关的认知能力下降及预防老年痴呆症等神经退化性疾病。
参考来源：
1. 《藏红花：一种多功能香料，在药物疗法和食品工业中的广泛应用》。食品化学，2021;338:127825。doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127825
2. 《藏红花（Crocus sativus）治疗经前综合症的功效：双盲、安慰剂对照研究》。BMC亚替代医学，2013;13:302。doi:10.1186/1472-6882-13-302
3. 《藏红花（Crocus sativus）对超重和肥胖成年人食欲和食物摄入的影响：随机双盲安慰剂对照试验》。食欲，2013;67:84-89。doi:10.1016/j.appet.2013.04.002
4. 《藏红花及其抗炎潜力》。食品与营养研究，2015;59:27955。doi:10.3402/fnr.v59.27955
