Saffron is a red-orange color thread-like spice and is mainly used for flavoring and coloring food. It is the most expensive spice in the world and has a mildly sweet and rich flavor and aroma. India, Iran, Greece, and Spain are the countries that produce saffron, but Iran produces about 88% of the world’s produce.
But do you know that it also can help in keeping you healthy and fit? Well, yes, that is true that it has several benefits which help in living a healthy lifestyle and free from diseases and illnesses. This is the reason that saffron should be added to your diet. You can have saffron by adding them to milk, dishes, or just in a glass of water.
Nutritional value of saffron (100gm):
Calories – 310
Total Fat 6 – 9% (of Daily Value)
Sodium – 6%
Potassium – 49%
Total Carbohydrate – 21%
Dietary fiber – 15%
Protein – 22%
Vitamin C – 134%
Calcium – 11%
Iron – 61%
Vitamin B6 – 50%
Magnesium – 66%
Here are the 7 amazing benefits of adding saffron to your diet:
Lifts up the mood
Saffron can help in improving our mood and even treat mild to moderate depression in humans. Having saffron every day has been proven to be as effective as the drugs that treat mild-to-moderate depression, such as Fluoxetine, Imipramine, and Citalopram.
Prevents cancer
Saffron can fight and prevent cancer due to its anti-cancer properties and richness of antioxidants. The antioxidants present in saffron help in getting rid of harmful free radicals, which can cause cancer, and also help in preventing the formation of cancer cells in the body.
Reduces PMS symptoms
PMS symptoms can be reduced with the intake of saffron. It helps relieve headaches, irritability, cramps, and several other symptoms of swelling in women the 20-45. This is because it lifts the mood, as stated above, and also the anti-inflammation properties of saffron.
Enhances brain health
Saffron can enhance brain health as it improves the ability to learn and memory. It also helps prevent brain-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and curbs their growth if you get diagnosed with the disease.
Promotes heart health
Heart health is very important, and it can be achieved with the help of saffron. The anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants present in saffron are the reason they support heart health. It prevents illnesses related to the heart, such as heart attack, stroke, etc., and also promotes blood circulation.
Improves vision
Eye-related diseases like macular degeneration and cataract can be treated and prevented with the consumption of saffron. Saffron helps in keeping the eyes healthy as it improves eyesight and is free from diseases.
Benefits sexual health
It is said to be proven that saffron has been beneficial for sexual health as it increases the sex drive in both men and women. It also helps in improving erectile dysfunction and libido.
It is advised to take only up to 5 gm of saffron per day as it can turn toxic even though 30 gm of it has proven to show benefits. Saffron is very rarely allergic to people, and hence it is safe for everyone to use in the said amount. However, there’s no harm in seeking expert advice before adding to saffron to your diet if you suffer from any ailments.