Health Benefits of Saffron

Saffron has some health benefits as following:

- Saffron contains plant-derived compounds known to have anti-oxidant which have disease-preventing and health-promoting properties. Saffron threads have essential volatile oils but the most important is Safranal, which gives saffron its distinct special flavor.

- It has many non-volatile active components, including α-crocin, a carotenoid compound, which gives the stigmas their golden yellow color. It also contains other carotenoids including Zeaxanthin, Lycopene, α- and β-carotenes. These are important antioxidants that helps protect body from stress, cancers, infections and acts as immune modulators. The active components have many therapeutic applications in many traditional medicines as antiseptic, antidepressant, anti-oxidant, digestive and anti-convulsant.

- Saffron is a good source of minerals like copper, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, selenium, zinc and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese and copper are used by the body as co-factors for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron is essential for red blood cell production.

- It must be noted that no one will eat an ounce of saffron in one sitting; recipes usually call for half a teaspoon or less, but examining an ounce is a good way to determine the nutritional aspects of this intriguing spice. First, the manganese content is off the charts at nearly 400% of the daily recommended value! Everything else seems a little chintzy after that, but the next-largest nutritional quantities also are quite impressive: vitamin C : 38%; magnesium : 18% and iron : 17%. Potassium and vitamin B6 both impart 14% of the daily recommended value.

- Manganese helps regulate blood sugar, metabolize carbohydrates, and absorb calcium. It also helps form tissues, bones, and sex hormones. Vitamin C is an infection fighter, iron purifies your blood, and the vitamin B6 content helps form red blood cells and assures nerves will function as they should. Potassium helps balance fluids in cells, which, if low, can cause painful muscle cramps.

- Also saffron contains more than 150 volatile compounds, among others. Picrocrocin, for instance, is the main substance responsible for the strong taste. Safranal brings saffron its characteristic odor and fragrance. Crocin, which delivers the intense orange color, is an indication of this spice's medicinal qualities, i.e. its powerful carotenoids and antioxidants that can protect your body from free radical damage.

Safety precaution:

High doses of saffron can act as uterine stimulant and in severe cases can cause miscarriage. Therefore, pregnant women may be advised to avoid this spice in the diet.