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Saffron has a variety of reputations. It is the most expensive spice in the world, creates a vibrant golden color in culinary dishes and fabrics, and has a delicious, mellow, unusual flavor much prized in Middle Eastern and Indian cooking.
But here’s something about saffron you may not know:Itcan help with weight loss.
That’s right; this age-old herb is a huge help when it comes to moderating appetite and shedding those pesky pounds you’ve been holding onto despite your best efforts.
Saffron has been used for thousands of years not only to flavor dishes but to accomplish a variety of medical goals. According to WebMD, “Saffron is used for asthma, cough, whooping cough (pertussis), and to loosen phlegm (as an expectorant).
It is also used for sleep problems (insomnia), cancer, ‘hardening of the arteries’ (atherosclerosis), intestinal gas (flatulence), depression, Alzheimer’s disease, fright, shock, spitting up blood (hemoptysis), pain, heartburn, and dry skin.”
Saffron is also said to help women with the various symptoms of menstruation, to increaseinterest in sex and to address the symptoms of baldness. However, it’s greatest asset may be its mental and metabolic effects.
According to Examine, saffron has mood-stabilizing and anti-depressant properties. Research indicates it may even be as effective as some of the most common SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) on the market. While these studies have not been duplicated extensively, the results do confirm what traditional cultures have known for millennia: saffron has a positive impact on mood.
The mechanism whereby saffron influences mood seems to be serotonin, which is why it works the same as an SSRI, which block the reuptake (reabsorption) of serotonin into the brain. That means that more of this critical neurotransmitter is available to make you feel good.
This has obvious implications for weight loss. According to the American Psychological Association, stress is a primary factor in eating: 38 percent of adults reported engaging in overeating in a month-long period, 33 percent do it to distract themselves from stress, and 30 percent of adults skip a meal due to stress, which can lead to massive overeating later.
Saffron’s mood-boosting benefits make it less likely that you’ll eat to deal with stress or other negative emotions. It may not be as simple as that, either. Seratonin is implicated in modulating the metabolism, so frequent consumption may result in a slimmer physique, fewer cravings and an easier time maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
