05/20/2020
You may know of saffron as the spice used to flavor the dishes at Sophie's Dine in and Takeout, like famous "Sophie's sovlakies and Saffron Rice" or delicious " Sophie's Stews and Saffron Rice", but saffron extract has a long and varied history in herbal medicine spanning over 2,500 years. According to a review study from 2014, it's been used in Iran and various countries to treat skin disease, respiratory issues, poor vision, pain, mental illness, gynecological problems, erectile dysfunction, and infections.
Derived from the crocus flower (Crocus sativus), saffron is a perennial stemless herb that's largely cultivated in Iran and some other countries including Spain, India, and Greece. The flower of C. sativus is a light purple, but it's the thread-like reddish-colored stigma of the flower, where the pollen germinates, that's valued both as a spice. It takes about 36,000 flowers, which are harvested by hand, to yield a single pound of stigmas. Over 200,000 dried stigmas (obtained from about 70,000 flowers) yield 500 grams of pure saffron. Due to the cultivation, harvesting, and handling, saffron—which can cost around $260 an ounce in the American market—is the most expensive spice in the world. Hence the reason it's often referred to as "Red Gold."
More than 150 chemicals are present in saffron, but the key ones are crocetin and crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal, which are responsible for saffron's color, taste, and odor.
These compounds are all strong antioxidants, molecules that protect cells against free radicals and oxidative stress, and scientists propose that many of saffron's beneficial effects can be attributed to them.
Health Benefits
Saffron has been shown to be helpful in several diseases, and according to a review study from 2015, it's time to move into more advanced stages of study or to even develop a drug for the use of saffron in the treatment of depression and Alzheimer's disease. However, there's much weaker supporting evidence for most other proposed uses, including preventing or treating cancer, reducing cholesterol and other cardiovascular benefits, and improving skin. Here's a look at some findings on the key benefits of saffron from the available research:
Depression
This culinary spice is helpful in treating mood disorders.
Weight Loss and Appetite Management
When used as a weight-loss aid, saffron supplements are purported to curb appetite and reduce cravings.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Saffron is added as an ingredient in some vision supplements, and several small studies suggest it may be beneficial in the early stages of age-related macular degeneration.
Alzheimer's Disease
Preliminary research suggests that saffron may inhibit the aggregation and deposition of beta-amyloid plaques in the human brain and may, therefore, be useful in Alzheimer's disease.
Erectile Dysfunction
While the mechanism of action of saffron on sexual function is unknown, a 2018 review of six articles found that several studies reported its usefulness on five dimensions of erectile dysfunction, including erectile function, sexual desire, or****ic function, in*******se satisfaction, and overall satisfaction.
Premenstrual Syndrome
Saffron extract may help relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
At Sophie's Dine-in and Takeout, Saffron is one of the basic spices being used in almost all foods to enhance taste and color.
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