Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the market today and this can be attributed to the fact that it is quite labor-intensive to produce this spice. The delicate stigmas at its center are hand-picked and cured over heat which further enhances its flavor. But aside from being both flavorful and expensive, there are several health benefits that can be associated with saffron, and below are some of them.
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Help Fight Inflammation
One of the primary health benefits that you can get from saffron is pain relief because of its anti-inflammatory properties. This is one of saffron strands benefits that is extremely helpful for those suffering from chronic pain such as arthritis. The same anti-inflammatory property is also beneficial in healing burn wounds. Alongside this, saffron is also known to help women experiencing menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea.
Aid In Better Sleep
There are some studies that show that saffron strands can aid in insomnia treatment. This is because of the carotenoids in saffron, such as crocin and crocetin, which boost non rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep. With better sleep, an individual is set to have more energy and a more positive outlook for the day. Thus, it is believed that saffron can also help in improving depression symptoms, particularly in adults.
Promote Brain Health
The carotenoids in saffron can significantly reduce the risk of a person from experiencing memory disorders such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. In parallel to this, the same carotenoids can also help protect one’s liver from environmental toxins, making it advantageous for those suffering from liver metastasis. These carotenoids mitigate the formation of reactive oxygen species that damage the liver.
Enhance Immunity
Saffron also has antioxidant properties that promote digestive health. This proves to be essential in treating various gastrointestinal disorders. With a healthy gut, you are bound to have stronger immunity from different kinds of ailments and diseases.
Skin Benefits
The legendary spice also has a number of skin benefits. For one, it can protect your skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation because it contains flavonoid compounds such as kaempferol and quercetin. This can also be because of its phenolic compounds such as tannic and gallic. These are the same compounds that can be found in sunscreens. The best part is that it can even enhance your complexion.
How To Use Saffron
There are several ways on how you can use saffron. For instance, you can grind the strands into a powder form using a mortar and pestle. There is also the option for you to make liquid saffron by infusing its powdered form into a couple of teaspoons of warm or boiling water.
To wrap things up, the health benefits of saffron listed above are only some of the ones that you can reap with regular usage of the spice. There are several other advantages that saffron can bring to your health such as good eye vision or a healthy heart. To take advantage of these health benefits, perhaps this is the perfect time for you to start using saffron regularly.