Looking for a simple, flavorful spice to add nutritional benefits to your diet? Don’t be so quick to overlook saffron. The golden-yellow spice is rich in antioxidants and because farmers have to harvest the threads from the Crocus sativus flower by hand, saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world. That’s not to say you’ll be paying hundreds of dollars though. It simply means it’s a bit more expensive than other common spices—but you don’t need to use a lot because a little saffron goes a long way.
The benefits of saffron
The main antioxidants in saffron are crocin, safranal and picrocrocin. Together, the three have been shown to fight free radicals and oxidative stress, both of which play a role in the development of major health conditions, such as heart disease and cancer.
Previous research has found that saffron has a particularly important role in protecting us from nervous system disorders by reducing both oxidative stress in the brain and inflammation. It may even help fight the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, thanks to these benefits and saffron’s memory-enhancing properties.
Studies have also found that saffron extract, which is sold at most major grocery stores, appears to treat moderate depression by increasing dopamine levels.
Although saffron hasn’t found to have any benefits on infertility, researchers did find that it helped with libido (in both men and women) and with erectile dysfunction.
Finally, saffron may be helpful in your weight loss efforts. The spice not only appears to curb the appetite, but a study published in the Journal of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Research reported that saffron also helps reduce waist circumference, body mass index and total fat mass, as well as coronary artery disease.
Is saffron safe?
It’s always wise to talk to your doctor of a dietitian before adding anything to your diet—especially if you’re taking medications. But in general, taking up to 1.5 grams of saffron appears to be safe for most people.
Granted, there’s always a risk of allergy, and pregnant women need to be cautious as one study found that consuming more than 5 grams per day of saffron could stimulate the uterus.
