It Can Boost Libido - Saffron is considered an aphrodisiac, which is defined as "any substance or food that increases sexual desire, arousal, behavior, performance, or pleasure." Saffron supplements have been found to be especially successful in helping those struggling with low sex drive or performance due to antidepressant consumption. One study found that men who took 30 mg of saffron daily over four weeks had more improvement in their erectile dysfunction (related to antidepressants) than the men who took a placebo. Women have also been found to benefit from saffron supplements for their libido. Researchers have found that women who suffer from low sex drive or painful sex due to certain antidepressants, experienced an increased sex drive and a reduction in painful sex as a result of taking 30 mg of saffron daily compared to women who took a placebo.
It May Help with Weight Loss - Saffron is often used in weight loss supplements to help curb appetite and keep snacking to a minimum. Although scientists and healthcare experts are unsure of why saffron extract helps us feel full, there are several studies to back up its benefits for weight loss. In one eight-week study, women taking a saffron supplement felt fuller throughout the day and lost significantly more weight than the women taking a placebo supplement.
It May Aid in Treating Alzheimer's Disease- Researchers believe that the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties found in saffron may help those with Alzheimer’s disease by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain. According to Medical News Today, "People with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s who took saffron for 22 weeks had cognitive improvements that were comparable with those of people who took the drug donepezil, and they also experienced fewer side effects." There are few studies on the effects of saffron for those with Alzheimer's and other nervous system disorders, and healthcare experts agree that more clinical trials are needed.
It May Have Cancer-Fighting Properties - As we mentioned before, the saffron flower contains high levels of antioxidants, which may help fight cancer-causing free radical damage. While human studies are limited, in test-tube studies, saffron has been found to "selectively kill colon cancer cells or suppress their growth, while leaving normal cells unharmed." Other test-tube studies have found that the antioxidant crocin may make cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy drugs. It May Reduce Your Risk for Heart Disease - Not only is saffron rich in heart-healthy minerals like magnesium and potassium, but it can also help reduce your risk for heart disease. Saffron has been found to lower both cholesterol and blood pressure, which are directly related to heart health. It May Help Treat Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) - According to the National Eye Institute, AMD is "an eye disease that can blur your central vision." AMD is common and impacts nearly 11 million people in the U.S. alone. Saffron has been found to modestly improve visual function that was damaged by AMD by researchers. In a 2016 study, researchers found that patients with both wet and dry AMD who took 30 mg of saffron a day for 6 months experienced "statistically significant changes in retinal function".