The Multiple Health Benefits of Saffron Extract - Including Weight Loss
[Article updated: May 2020]
Saffron extract (Crocus sativus) is the most expensive spice in the world. The high production costs of this spice justify its limited supply and expensive price.
This extract is traditionally used in gastronomy, although recently recent scientific research has demonstrated its many medicinal properties.
For example, its antidepressant properties are linked to the metabolism of serotonin.
The other benefits of saffron include appetite control, improved mood and fertility among others.
According to the researchers, supplementing with saffron provides the same effects as the natural extract, since these supplements are dehydrated extracts of the spice.
In what follows we will try to take a closer look at this spice.
What is saffron extract?
Almost all of the herbs used in supplements come from this region.
Saffron extract comes from a beautiful purple flower with three red stigmas in its center.
These stigmas are very fragile and must therefore be picked with delicacy and by hand. The flower produces these stigmas only once in its life.
Once these stigmas have been picked, the flower's life cycle comes to an end.
On each bulb, grows a single flower. And once the flower dies, it will be necessary to wait until the next season before a new flower emerges.
Therefore, and to collect a few stigmas, you have to use thousands of ampoules. This explains the high price of this spice.
Benefits and benefits of saffron extract
This makes it particularly effective for people who need a boost to help them regain control of their emotions or their urge to overeat.
- Food intake and appetite
According to a clinical trial, supplementing a relatively high dose of saffron stigma extract (176.5 mg) per day for eight weeks in overweight women reduced the frequency of snacking to a greater degree (55%) than placebo (28%).
This led to a reduction in food intake which in turn led to a reduction in body weight.
Evaluation of the results obtained after 8 weeks of experience showed that the feeling of hunger seemed to be markedly reduced with saffron compared to placebo.
- Depression
Oral ingestion of 150-600 mg / kg raw saffron extract in rats reduced depressive symptoms in a dose-dependent manner, with the highest dose comparable to 100 mg / kg fluoxetine .
- Menstruation
A study evaluated the effects of saffron on symptoms of PMS.
The experiment consisted of taking a 30mg extract each day for two menstrual cycles.
By the end of the second cycle, 76% of female volunteers reported seeing more than half of their symptoms.
- Libido
In women who have received SSRI treatment for depression but have sexual dysfunction, supplementation with 15mg of saffron stigma extract twice daily (3.3-3.5 mg of crocin per day ) resulted in statistically significant improvements in female sexual function index (FSFI) after 4 weeks of supplementation.
- Estrogen
Used as an aromatherapy (20 minute exposure) in healthy women, saffron extract appears to cause a slight increase in estradiol concentrations in saliva both in the luteal phases compared to the line basic.
It also appears to be able to safely and effectively improve certain sexual problems induced by fluoxetine, including arousal, lubrication and pain in women.
Recommended dosage of saffron extract
For chronic supplementation, it is advisable to take 15 mg of saffron twice a day. This is the recommended upper limit for long-term supplementation.
Preliminary data suggests that doubling this dose may have a toxic effect after eight weeks of continuous use.
Otherwise, single doses of saffron can reach 200mg.
Saffron can be taken twice a day as a supplement, or with a meal as a spice.
Side effects of saffron extract
Supplementation with saffron at higher than normal doses (over 200mg) in humans has been associated with alterations in blood and hemodynamic parameters which, although statistically significant, were not significant enough to be considered undesirable.
Note that abnormal uterine bleeding was observed in two women who took doses of 200-400 mg.
Doses ranging from 1200 to 2000 mg in humans can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding.
Prolonged supplementation (26 weeks) with 60 mg of saffron per day in men was associated with a decrease in the number of red and white blood cells and platelets, a drop in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and sedation. and hypomania.
The researchers also found changes in appetite that started to occur after 8 weeks and increased significantly thereafter.
Where and at what price to buy saffron extract?
Saffron extract is a very expensive ingredient. The average price of a supplement based on this extract is € 30 per bottle. Some brands cost more.
We take the example of this supplement marketed by Bauer and which is composed of pure saffron extract dosed at 88.25 mg.
Its price is € 29.95.
The bottle contains 60 capsules and covers a period of (1) month.
For every 2 bottles purchased, you will get the 3rd for free.
And for every 3 bottles purchased, you will receive 3 free bottles as a bonus.
The site also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee.
