Saffron consumption provides amazing health benefits along with boosting memory, mood, and libido. But, the labor-intensive process of harvesting saffron makes it ‘the most expensive spice’ in the world.
The term ‘saffron’ refers to the Crocus Sativus flower’s thread-like stigma. Labor in the saffron grown areas harvest the flower and pluck the stigmas by hand. Around 15,000-16,000 flowers produce 1 kilogram of saffron spice. That’s what makes saffron so expensive and can cost you up to $5000 USD per pound.
Please do have a look of our wide variety of products prepared using Saffron:
Kesar Gujiya
Butterscotch and Cashew Thandai
Kesar Pista Thandai Powder
Keshar Sharbat
Rose Thandai or Shardai Powder
Zero Sugar Thandai Powder
Homemade Authentic Gingerale
Yet, these 6 impressive health benefits of saffron will convince you to add this expensive spice to your cuisines:
1. Offers Powerful Antioxidants
Saffron is loaded with antioxidants including safranal, crocin, picrocrocin, crocetin, and kaempferol. These antioxidants protect your cells against oxidative stress and damage caused by free radicals. Ultimately, the anti-oxidant properties of saffron prevent high blood cholesterol, heart disease, and cancer.
2. Acts as a Natural Anti-Depressant
Would you rather spend thousands of dollars on anti-depressants while saffron can be your natural anti-depressant? In fact, saffron is also well-known as the ‘sunshine spice’. That’s because saffron is not just a bright-colored spice but a natural ‘mood booster’.
A study published in the Journal of Behavioral and Brain Science showed that saffron basically boosts dopamine levels (the happy hormone) in the brain.
According to another study, 30mg of saffron intake every day was proved to be effective as citalopram, fluoxetine, etc.—the common anti-depressants for patients with mild-to-moderate depression. Considering the fact that saffron is a natural cure, there are no side effects compared to what’s accompanied by anti-depressants.
Although the studies are quite promising, saffron cannot be a substitute for anti-depressants due to the lack of long-term studies. All in all, adding it to your daily diet will definitely be great for your mental health.
3. Boost Libido
For ages, saffron was being consumed as an aphrodisiac to boost libido. Several types of research have shown a positive effect of saffron on male infertility and women’s sex drive. Studies have shown that consuming 30mg of saffron every day for about 4 weeks treats erectile dysfunction in men taking antidepressants compared to those consuming 30mg of placebo. However, saffron intake has no effect on semen quality.
Women taking anti-depressants have low sexual desires as well. A recent study concludes that women consuming 30gm of saffron every day for about 4 weeks felt an increase in sexual desire and lubrication compared to those taking a placebo.
Please do have a look of our wide variety of products prepared using Saffron:
Kesar Gujiya
Butterscotch and Cashew Thandai
Kesar Pista Thandai Powder
Keshar Sharbat
Rose Thandai or Shardai Powder
Zero Sugar Thandai Powder
Homemade Authentic Gingerale
4. Helps With Weight Loss
Saffron naturally curbs your appetite and reduces unwanted snacking habits. A short-term study of 8 weeks found that women consuming saffron pills felt fuller and snacked rarely, leading to quicker fat burn compared to women taking placebo. Generally, the dopamine rush caused by saffron curbs the desire to snack and overeat.
5. Treats PMS Symptoms
Drinking saffron milk every day benefits PMS symptoms: the hormonal imbalances causing physical, psychological, and emotional upheaval during the pre-menstrual period. Intake of 30mg of saffron every day by 20-45 years old women led to reduced headaches, irritability, pain, anxiety, and cravings compared to the placebo group.
Please do have a look of our wide variety of products prepared using Saffron:
Kesar Gujiya
Butterscotch and Cashew Thandai
Kesar Pista Thandai Powder
Keshar Sharbat
Rose Thandai or Shardai Powder
Zero Sugar Thandai Powder
Homemade Authentic Gingerale
6. Prevents Cancer
Saffron contains a high amount of antioxidants that fight free radicals, responsible for cancer. A test-tube study has shown saffron to be naturally killing and suppressing colon cancer cell growth, without damaging normal cells. Another test-tube study revealed that saffron makes cancer cells highly sensitive to chemotherapy treatments. However, due to small-scale ‘test-tube’ studies, no generalized conclusions can be drawn. Still, owing to the high quantity of antioxidants in saffron, the spice may help fight cancer.
Other Health Benefits:
Several other studies have shown that saffron is an effective antidote to heart diseases, high blood sugar levels, and high cholesterol levels. Moreover, the antioxidant powerhouse spice also treats older people with myopia due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
How Much Saffron Should I Consume Per Day?
It is recommended to have about 30mg of saffron per day.
Pregnant and lactating women should avoid the overdose of saffron as it can have adverse effects.
Final Verdict
Enjoy your saffron garnishing or saffron tea benefits along with its special flavor every day to keep stress, anxiety, and tons of other health conditions at bay. All said and done, to enjoy all these incredible health benefits of saffron, be sure to get authentic saffron. Most cheaply available saffron has a blend of turmeric and other spices which will not benefit you as much as a pinch of original saffron.
Read 4 Benefits of Cinnamon for Weight Loss, click here
For 7 Benefits of Mustard Oil, click here
5 Benefits of Jaggery for Skin, click here
For videos related to Health and Wellness, Subscribe to our YouTube Channel:
Masala Monk – The Gourmet Store
Please do have a look of our wide variety of products prepared using Saffron:
Kesar Gujiya
Butterscotch and Cashew Thandai
Kesar Pista Thandai Powder
Keshar Sharbat
Rose Thandai or Shardai Powder
Zero Sugar Thandai Powder
Homemade Authentic Gingerale
