Saffron is a popular type of traditional spice. Saffron is used as a flavoring, coloring, and food flavor. Most of you are probably already familiar with saffron flowers. In the market, saffron is famous for its expensive price and extraordinary benefits. Saffron is a fine thread-shaped herb derived from Crocus sativus flowers. This flower grows and spreads in the Middle East region. Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world because of its complicated planting and processing. The efficacy of saffron comes from the crocin compound which is a carotenoid coloring agent that produces a golden yellow color. Saffron has a slightly bitter taste and smells like dry grass.
The high price of saffron is of course based on various reasons. One of them is the health benefits of saffron flowers. Saffron flowers have often been used as an alternative medicine to cure various diseases. Numerous studies show that saffron does have health benefits, including:
Counter free radicals
Saffron contains various antioxidant components, so it can protect body cells from damage caused by free radicals. As we have seen, free radicals can cause various chronic diseases, including heart disease and cancer.
Reducing appetite and reducing weight
A study of a group of women showed that women who took saffron supplements for 8 weeks experienced a more significant decrease in appetite and weight than women who did not take saffron supplements. Besides being able to help with weight loss, saffron is also known to reduce abdominal circumference and total fat mass in patients with coronary heart disease.
Improve mood and help treat depression
According to the results of several studies conducted in depressed patients, saffron supplements can be an adjunct in the treatment of mild to moderate depression, with side effects that tend to be minimal. Saffron also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects (protection of nerves).
Help with cancer treatment
A laboratory study states that saffron can suppress the rate of growth of cancer cells in colon cancer. In addition, the antioxidant component in saffron called crocin can make cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy.
Relieve menstrual pain and PMS symptoms
In one study, a group of women who took capsules containing 15 mg of saffron twice a day experienced milder physical and emotional symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) compared to a group of women who did not consume capsules containing saffron.
Reducing blood fat levels
Although further studies are needed for a longer duration, consumption of saffron appears to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and increase the concentration of good cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
Helps alleviate Alzheimer's disease
the antioxidants contained in saffron can maintain and even improve cognitive abilities in adults. This is very related to the prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Not only that, consuming saffron can also maintain your vision
Helps treat diabetes
In early research involving a sample of mice, saffron could increase the sensitivity of the hormone insulin. However, of course this still needs to be further investigated to prove the benefits of saffron in helping the treatment of diabetic patients.
Improve vision
In adults who have blurred vision problems with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), eating saffron flowers can improve vision and protect against damage to free radicals associated with AMD.
That is the benefits of consuming Saffron flowers for health. Does Hypermart Lovers intend to consume it?